Daily Devotionals

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

1 Corinthians 15:50, 53-54 "I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable… For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

Paul explains here one of the reasons for physical death. Through it, we move from mortality to immortality, from the perishable to the imperishable. The bodies we now have are temporary, perishable and mortal and cannot inherit the kingdom of God. This was the effect of the fall and man was not allowed to eat fruit from the tree of life otherwise he would live forever in sin, broken and corrupted forever. That would be horrible!

People die or are transformed at Christ’s coming to have imperishable bodies, free from sin and its effects as it was before the fall. This is how we shall enter an eternity in perfect peace and joy in God’s presence. Physical death will be the last enemy to be defeated before eternity sets in.

Whereas we receive eternal life immediately one accepts Christ as Savior and Lord, we still live in an environment of a corrupted world. We also still suffer some of the effects of the fall in many ways in the journey of faith. All these will be shed off as we cross from the temporary to permanent, from mortal to immortal and from the perishable to imperishable. Death of the believer is therefore to be celebrated and looked forward to at its proper time.

2 Corinthians 5:4 "For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life."

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Hebrews 9:27 "Everyone must die once, and after that be judged by God." - GNB
Ephesians 2:1 "In the past you were spiritually dead because of your disobedience and sins…" - GNB

Death is termination of life. The first death Adam and Eve suffered was spiritual death because they were cut off from fellowship with God. They thus died spiritually, disconnected from God. Physical death is termination of physical life, separation of body from soul and spirit. Eternal death, also called second death in hell, is everlasting separation of the human soul from God forever. The scriptures above are about physical and spiritual death.

Whereas all humans died spiritually because all sinned, in Christ one crosses from spiritual death to eternal life (John 5:24). Those who reject Christ and His atoning work on the cross remain dead spiritually even though alive physically. If they continue to reject Christ until they physically die, they suffer the second death in hell, forever separated from God!

A believer in Christ has their name written in the Lamb’s book of life in heaven where they will be forever. Anyone whose name is not found written in that book, will suffer the second death. While here on earth, one can choose Christ and be saved from spiritual and the second eternal death. Our eternal destinies are only determined while here by the choices we make in relation to God. So while there is still time, choose Christ. He is our life for eternity.

Revelation 20:14-15 "Then death and the world of the dead were thrown into the lake of fire. (This lake of fire is the second death.) Whoever did not have their names written in the book of the living were thrown into the lake of fire."

Shalom children of God

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Genesis 2:16-17 "And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

Death remains a painful reality in this life. The scripture above gives the warning to man that points to the origin of death. It was a result of the sin of disobedience to the command of God by Adam and Eve. God had created man with freedom of will and choice. They chose to exercise it by listening to the devil through the serpent in disobedience to God. They died spiritually and eventually, physically. Through their sin, death came to all people.

Death was not in God’s original plan for man. In order to restore the original order, God started the redemption plan which was accomplished through Jesus’ coming, death and resurrection. Whoever believes in Him now gets eternal life and never dies again. Whoever rejects Him remains dead spiritually.

Physical death for all humanity continues todate because we still live in the corrupted fallen world. But at the renewal of all things at Jesus’ second coming, death will forever be removed. And the believer in Christ will live forever with the Lord in peace and joy.

Romans 5:12 "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—"

Shalom children of God

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Proverbs 20:6-7 "Everyone talks about how loyal and faithful he is, but just try to find someone who really is! Children are fortunate if they have a father who is honest and does what is right." - GNB

If there was a time when integrity was more scarce, it is now. Solomon said many claim to be faithful and can be relied upon. But the reality is different. Many are not people of their words! Despite the much deception, including among those who use God’s name, there are still people of integrity. Their fruit will show. Parents are to pass on integrity traits to children. Do you as a parent live dishonestly and expect your children to be otherwise? What are you modeling for them?

None of us on our own can live upright honest lives of integrity without God’s help. Man fell from God’s glory and has since been corrupted in every way. Only God has absolute integrity and can totally be relied upon. He fulfills what He says and there is no lie in Him. In our transformation towards Christ likenes, restoration of a life of integrity as He is, so that we reflect His nature, is key. And that’s possible if one wills and allows God.

In God, there are no grey areas. He is transparent in His dealings. Those called by His name are to manifest honest character. In the world is so much evil and intrigue. People claim one thing, and practice another. Parents are to model honesty to their children. Leaders at various levels are to lead in integrity. May God help us to pursue lives of integrity, where our private and public lives, thoughts, words, intentions and actions are the same. That’s God’s will.

Matthew 5:16 "In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:37 "All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."

Shalom children of God

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Genesis 40:14-15 "But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.”" - NIV

Standing for the truth and commitment to what is right in an increasingly evil world is no easy task. Characteristic of much of the world today is promoting, tolerating and even legalising evil as normal. The standards changed. Those who stick God’s truth and do right are not only despised but even persecuted. They may lose opportunities, friends, or their lives. Many want success by whatever means. We live in an evil broken world.

Joseph had not compromised with his stand for God to sleep with portiphar’s wife. Falsely accused, he was dumped in prison. Recalling he didn’t do any wrong to deserve what he faced, he sought Pharaoh’s intervention through the cup bearer. It’s painful to be falsely accused and severely persecuted for what should have been applauded. That’s how evil systems work, but God never forsakes those who stand for Him.

Those who choose the path of integrity in the honor and fear of God can be sure to face challenges because they are fighting against evil systems perpetrated by the god of this world, the devil (Acts 14:22). Jesus said so to His disciples (John 16:33). He urged the church in Ephesus to remain faithful even to the point death to receive the crown of life. Many heroes of faith down the millennia sealed their faith with blood. The ultimate price is high to remain true and faithful to God in a dark world. But it’s worth it. The grace is sufficient. We shall overcome.

Revelation 2:10 "Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Daniel 1:8 "But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way." - NIV

Daniel and his friends were in heathen Babylonian captivity. There were alot of ungodly practices contrary to the principles and beliefs in God they had been taught from childhood back in Israel. Part of this included the kind of foods which were first sacrificed to their gods before eating. Whoever ate it participated in worship of those gods.

Daniel was privileged among the exiles to be considered to eat at the king’s table and to serve in key kingdom positions. But where these privileges affected their relationship with God, they didn’t compromise. They didn’t eat the delicious but defiled food. They didn’t worship the golden image, nor pray to the king, nor be corrupted in any way even if it meant losing the positions, being fought, disobeying the king with death as a result.

The key to maintaining their integrity in God is the values they held on to. Values are principles one stands on to guide thoughts, decisions and boundaries to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ in life. Daniel’s values were founded in God. Without such principles, one is swayed by anything to any direction any time. Each of us needs to establish and be completely persuaded of what we believe and stand for in honor of God as Joseph, Daniel and his friends did. That’s integrity; standing for what you believe. His grace is sufficient to carry us through in an increasingly wicked world.

Psalm 15:1, 4 "Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? … who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind…"

Shalom children of God.