Daily Devotionals

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Daniel 3:15 "Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” - NIV

King Nebuchadnezzar was leading the greatest human kingdom that ever existed in the world. He was very proud of his achievements. Thinking he was above everyone including God, he ridiculed the three Hebrew men for trusting God to rescue them if they refused to worship his enormous golden statue. He was greatly mistaken as he saw God rescue these men from the furnace heated seven times in a manner he had never known.

Pharaoh of Egypt wielded so much power and was worshiped as a god. He thought the God Moses and Aaron told him about was like one of the other gods. And God proofed Himself as God above all. King Herod, in pride, did not give glory to God when people thought he spoke like a god. He was struck dead. Nebuchadnezzar learnt the very hard way when he was made to live and eat grass like an animal for seven years. Then He acknowledged the God of heaven, and that power belonged to Him.

Such is the deception of power in one’s hand. It makes the possessor think they are above all or can do anything by virtue of their positions. Let it be known to all that whatever power we hold was entrusted from the God Who is over and above all. But when men think they can use power to insult God Who gave it to them, they will be in for a rude shock. God has humbled such arrogance in the past, and will do it again.
Therefore, let all who hold it now, at whatever level, fear and honor God. All power belongs to Him ultimately.

Psalms 62:11-12 "More than once I have heard God say  that power belongs to him and that his love is constant. You yourself, O Lord, reward everyone according to his deeds."

Matthew 28:18 "Jesus drew near and said to them, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth."

Shalom children of God

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Romans 8:13-16 "For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children."- NIV

Paul brought another aspect of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. He helps us to subdue the flesh and put to death its misdeeds. After that, we are led by the Spirit and no longer by the bodily desires contrary to God’s ways. The Spirit also gives us the assurance that we are God’s children after one is born again. Because salvation is a spiritual matter, it can be difficult to understand it logically with the human mind just as Nichodemus was totally perplexed when Jesus told him to be born again. The Holy Spirit helps us to understand and actualize it.

The Holy Spirit enables our new birth into God’s kingdom and our adoption as sons of God. And if sons, we enjoy the liberty, authority and privileges of sonship. This includes the closeness with God whom we can now address as ‘Abba, Father.’ In Christ, God is our Father, and we have access to Him at any one time of day or night. We should have no more fear to approach God. He dearly loves us as His own. He invites us into His presence for communion without restrictions whatsoever. Hallelujah!

Sonship also entitles us to God’s blessings and inheritance as heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. In the same way, we are a reflection of our Father to the world. We carry His nature, manifest His character by the fruit of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and exercise His authority and power to execute His will and purposes on earth. These are the rights and privileges God Almighty has given those called by His name! What a wonder! What a mystery!

Matthew 6:9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…"

John 1:12 "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—"

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

John 3:19-21 "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God." - NIV

John gives the reasons why men hide from the light, because they are aware of their evil deeds. Evil thrives in darkness. Truth thrives in the light. God is light, and in Him is no lies at all. Whoever comes to God walks in the light and in the truth. Those who refuse to come to God fear to expose their evil deeds because they want to continue in them.

Instead of run away from the light of God, we should come to Him Who has the ability to set us free from the trap of sin. Adam and Eve ran away from God to hide after they sinned. Sin drives away from God. And Satan likes that. But God calls us to come just as we are to Him, repenting and confessing our failures. He is committed to forgive and restore those who come to Himself.

Hiding from is futile because everything is laid bare before God. He sees it all. To Him, secrecy and thick darkness is like broad day light. And it is to Him that we shall account for all we did in this life. Come to Him as you are, in humility and repentance. He is merciful and gracious to set you free from the bondage of sin through Jesus Christ His Son.

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."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

John 4:27 "Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking to a woman. But no one asked, " What do you want?" or "Why are you talking with her?" - NIV

Cultures strongly influence people. Jesus was going from Judea to Galilee and had to pass Samaria. Jews and Samaritans had nothing in common. They wouldn’t even talk. The disciples returned and were shocked to find Him talking to a woman, and a Samaritan at that. This was culturally very wrong. But Jesus was demonstrating that He came to break ethnic barriers that separated Jews from gentiles, men and women to show that all people are His. He came to reconcile all humanity to God.

So much of this happens today. Different ethnicities of people have strong animosity against others, sometimes describing them very harshly. This unfortunately happens in churches as well where we are to see and treat people as Jesus did. All people of all races and tribal groups belong to God. All are sinners and all need salvation in Jesus.

In Christ, all people are equal and the same. Jesus broke those barriers so that those in Him can overcome them too. In him, we belong to one body, have the same Savior, all members of His kingdom and will have the same inheritance into eternity. Cultural ethnic divisions have been used by the devil to cause much harm world over. Instead, we should celebrate our God given differences and use them to enjoy God’s blessings.

Galatians 3:28 "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

John 4:49-50,53 "The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.” The man took Jesus at his word and departed… Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed."

A royal official’s son was sick and he came to ask Jesus to go and heal him before he dies. Instead of going with him as He did for others, Jesus told him to go back home, and that his son would live. Taking Jesus at His word, he started his journey back home, arriving the next day. The very time Jesus told him to go, was the time his son got healed. Once He has said, He will do it.

When God gives His word to us concerning whatever we ask of Him, it is a done deal. But our faith is a key factor in bringing about its fulfilment. The man believed Jesus’ word, and his son was healed the same hour. God’s word is not limited by distance and space. Where Hus word is, He is. James warns that those whose who ask God for wisdom (and indeed anything else) should have faith. Otherwise they can’t expect to recieve their requests without believing what God has said.

We pray often over many things. But one of the biggest undoings of our prayers is doubt which makes our minds waver. When you ask for anything in prayer, believe that it is done and it will be given to you, Jesus said. God is able and willing to do more than we ask or dream about. He requires faith on our part. Let’s build our faith strongly against demonic forces of unbelief, and on the God Who never fails.

Mark 11:24 "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

James 1:6-7 "But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

"Proverbs 14:12 "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." - NIV

In life, we can never be self sufficient on our own. No one knows or is able to do everything alone. Even the geniuses need others to excel. When success comes our way, and we make head way in our endeavors as others get mesmerized at our great achievements, there is a tendency to think we now know it all. Then pride sets in. This happens even in matters of beliefs and faith in God.

Deception comes similarly. The master deceiver, Satan, has driven multitudes in the wrong path and convinced them that they are on the right track, and yet it’s a lie! Their way SEEMS right to them, but it leads to death in the end. Satan is taking them for a ride. How tragic to spend all your years, energy, and other resources on what ultimately turns out to be a hoax, a sham, a lie! Unfortunately, many will realise this at the end of their lives when it’s too late!

The right way is the way of God shown to us through His word. Jesus said I am the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). The human nature,  without God, was corrupted by sin and it’s inclination always tends to evil. With Jesus, we are in the right way that leads to life. Without Him, we are on the way that leads to death, whatever our seeming success now. Come to Jesus the way, the truth and the life and continue to live in Him.

"Do not be wise in your own eyes, fear the LORD and shun evil." (Proverbs 3:7).

Proverbs 16:18 "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."

Shalom children of God. Peaceful week

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

John 2:14-16 "In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!”"

The Jews were preparing for the passover celebrations. Trade was booming in the temple area. In the process, the purpose of the temple as a place of prayer and worship to God Almighty, was watered down. It was now more of a business area than a sacred place of worship. Jesus drove out the traders, rebuking them for turning His Father’s house of prayer into a den of thieves(Mark 11:17).

In the new testament period we are in, our bodies are the temple of God Who dwells in us. Our bodies therefore are temples of worship to God. But just as it was in Jesus days, people have turned their bodies into other businesses other the purpose of prayer, communion with God and worship. So much fills people’s lives which does not glorify God. Such abuses of God’s temple include immorality, drunkenness, drugs, cursing, thefts, impurity of all kinds, etc.

When Jesus comes into our lives, He drives out what is not meant to be done in us. We need to allow Him into our lives, His temple, to cleanse it so as to serve its rightful purpose of communion and worship to God. He breaks chains and bondages of those who can’t free themselves to worship God. We are to glorify God in our bodies. He stands at the door knocking. Let Him in and corporate with the Holy Spirit given to help us.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."

Revelation 3:20 "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Proverbs 6:10-11 "A little sleep, a little slumber,  a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man."- NIV

Picking a lesson from the ants which have no rulers but work hard enough to store their food in summer, Solomon rebukes laziness. It manifests through desire for the easy life, sleeping and enjoying oneself when they should be working. And before they know it, they don’t have what to eat or sustain them. God detests idle laziness. He is a hard worker and expects us to work too.

God committed Himself to bless the work of our hands, and not idleness. The assignment God gave man upon creation was work, to manage creation(Gen 1:26). Jesus said He was working, and His Father too was working(Jesus 5:17). We can’t do less. So strong was Paul’s attitude against laziness that he advised that whoever doesn’t work should not even be given food!

God works miracles, including provision. But the sustainable means God ordained for our provision is work. He gives ideas. To sit and do nothing with your hands only praying and expecting miraculous provision is not in God’s will. As you pray, do something, however small, including volunteer work. And do it excellently. That becomes a point of contact for God’s blessings to flow.

Deuteronomy 28:12 "The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none."
2 Thessalonians 3:10 "For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”"

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Hebrews 6:10-11 "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure." - NIV

One characteristic of our present generation is ungratefulness. Most people are unthankful. Sometimes we do things for people, from the smallest acts of kindness to the helpless, to huge society transformational life saving projects. But not everyone will appreciate them. They may instead misinterpret them and cast more stones on you. This so frustrating and may break our hearts and we feel like giving up doing any good to people any more. 

Thankfully, God does not forget whatever good we do, in our various placements and giftings, for Him and to His people, however small these works are. His justice makes Him remember them all. Our labours in the Lord are not in vain. He will reward it fairly as we deserve. He never cheats His workers. Some have laboured for years, enduring manifold challenges, while  serving God. Because the way God rewards may not be the way we expect in terms of time and benefits, some give up hope and get discouraged and live in bitterness against God.

The scripture above encourages us not to give up hope if we are to recieve our full reward in the end. It will come in due season, both in this world and in the life to come. God remembered Cornelius for his faithful prayers and giving to the poor which came as a memorial before God (Acts 10:4). He will not forget your continual faithful service in His kingdom. Cheer up child of God. Keep serving. Don’t give up. Your reward awaits.

1 Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

Galatians 6:9-10 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Mark10:47-47 "When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." - NIV

Jesus is making His way through Jericho to Jerusalem. A huge multitude is following Him. A blind beggar hears the noise and asks what the multitude is about. He is told it Jesus of Nazareth passing by. Having heard of His various miracles, seeing he needed one, and realising it could be a once in a lifetime opportunity to get it, he shouts for mercy. No amount of rebuke could deter him. And Jesus stopped and called him.

Jesus demonstrated unconditional love on an otherwise neglected ‘useless’ blind beggar. With all the thousands around Him, the blind man’s cry would have easily gone unnoticed. His insistence, an act of faith, drew Jesus’ attention. And He stopped for him! Bartimeus got his sight because of his faith and Jesus’ love. He cares enough to notice even the most despised and the nobodies of society!

We are sometimes tempted to think we are too insignificant among so many to be noticed and attended to by God. May Bartimeus story reassure us that we are valuable enough to be noticed by God as long as we come to Him in faith. Cheer up! God knows you and calls you by name even among the billions in the world! Jesus loves you immensely and cares enough to meet your need!

1 Peter 2:9-10 "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."

Shalom children of God.