Daily Devotionals

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Judges 16:20 "Then she called, "Samson, the Philistines are upon you!" He awoke from his sleep and thought, "I'll go out as before and shake myself free." But he did not know that the LORD had left him." - NIV

Samson was a very strong powerful man, mightily used by God to deliver Israel out of the hands of their enemies. He did extraordinary things out of this super human, God given strength. But he had a weakness in his character. He couldn’t control his sexual drives. On this fateful day, he got himself a prostitute called Delilah in whose laps the powerful Samson was shamefully defeated! 

We all have strong and weak areas. God in His grace and mercy still calls and uses us to serve His purposes even with those weaknesses. But God still using us despite our weaknesses, is no license to continue in sin. Samson thought it was alright to continue in his sexual escapades, after all God was still using him to do great exploits. He had slept with many women and still had his strength. He took it for granted until God left him. Many great men have been brought to their knees by temper, greed, gluttony, sexual immorality, pride, materialism, etc. Many are secretely struggling with hidden sins despite nice public reputation. Don’t join the list!

It’s important that we seek help in our weaknesses. God gives us time and sufficient grace to do so. If they are not dealt with, they can bring our downfall. Women failed Samson. The love of money and material wealth brought down Gehazi and Judas Iscariot. Pride destroyed king Herod. Food made Esau eternally lose his birth right. Identify your weak areas and seek help before the enemy uses it to bring your downfall. Against sin and satanic manoeuvres, none of us in our human abilities can withstand. But God is able to save us and keep us strong. Our victory is in Him.

1 Corinthians 9:27 "No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Luke 5:18-20 "Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” - NIV

Jesus was in a house in Capernaum. There was a huge crowd in and around the house. The four men brought a bedridden paralyzed man for healing, but couldn’t access Jesus. As an act of faith, they dug through the roof and lowered their man right in front of Jesus. When Jesus their faith, He declared the man’s sins forgiven.

Can faith be seen? Yes, by its actions. The actions of the four men was enough to demonstrate it. James said faith without actions is dead. Jesus declared the man’s sins forgiven first because most of the challenges people go through are an effect of sin which broke our relationship with God. Forgiveness therefore is our primary need from God even before the physical healing or meeting of other needs we bring to Him.

The four men demonstrated faith in Jesus both for the forgiveness of sin and healing of the paralytic. We don’t read about their verbal confession of sin, but Jesus saw it and granted it publicly. Even when not spoken out, faith in God can be seen by our attitude and actions towards Him. Many claim to have faith, but their actions speak otherwise. Faith is primarily towards God, not men. Does God see your faith in Him?

Mark 11:22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered."
James 2:17 "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Mark 4:37-40 "A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” - NIV

Jesus was crossing over the lake in a boat with His disciples. As they rowed, a furious storm that threatened not only the boat, but its people as well, broke over them. The disciples who were themselves experienced sea users, did what they could, but knew that this wasn’t a manageable challenge. They wondered why Jesus was sleeping when death was so close. They woke Him up.

Jesus was sleeping amidst a furious storm. So confident and peaceful He was. He woke up and calmed the storm. He expected them to have faith enough to calm the storm. The storms represent the challenges of life we go through. And they are many. Sometimes they are too strong and appear to threaten our lives. And God seems quiet. But He always comes through.

We cannot drown in the storms of life with Jesus in us. He expects us by faith to speak to our situations; the mountains and storms. And yet we most times do what the disciples did; cry out in fear about what’s facing us rather than address it by the authority given to us. Jesus asked them why they still had no faith, meaning by now they should have and use it. But thank God even if we fail, He helps our weaknesses and calms the storm for us. We are save with Jesus in the storms.

Psalm 46:1-3 "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way  and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam  and the mountains quake with their surging."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Mark 13:23 "So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time." - NIV

In the whole chapter of Mark 13, Jesus was teaching about the end times and its signs. These things were yet to come. Their appearance was to indicate to those watchful enough that the end is close. In His grace and mercy, God doesn’t want to take us unawares. But many people don’t listen. Although no one knows the day or hour, we can see the seasons in comparison with Bible prophecies and tell how close we are. And we are right in those days!

To discern the times requires that we are on guard, watching and waiting. As we notice in our world today, the so much happening are the very signs Jesus warned us about. One of the warnings to guard against is deception from false Christs and false prophets performing signs and miracles to decieve. They come in Jesus’ name, but driving people away from Him. Others are increase of evil, pestilences, wars, and falling away from the faith.

It is unfortunate to be warned ahead of time and to fall victim of the very thing you were warned against. And yet this is happening to us upon whom the fulfillment of the signs and the end of time has come. Many are blinded by the cares of this life and pleasure seeking, and are trivialising or ignoring the glaring warning signs. They will only have themselves to blame for failing to heed the obvious warning signs Jesus clearly gave ahead of time.

Luke 21:34-36 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Hebrews 7:25-26 "Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens." - NIV

The passage is comparing the human priesthood under Aaron and the one that came through Jesus. A priest was required to represent people and their needs before God, make atonement and animal sacrifices for sins so that people would be declared righteous before God. Being human, they had to make sacrifices for their sins first, being sinners themselves. This practice was repeated regularly, year in year out.

But Jesus came as the perfect high priest and made atonement for sin once and for all in His own blood. We never have to make any sacrifices again for sin. Jesus’ blood is forever enough. He is able to save completely those who come to God THROUGH him, whatever the magnitude of sin. In Him we have assurance of forgiveness of sin and full restoration to God, however low and lost one could have sunk in sin. Wonderful Savior He is!

This is the good news of the gospel that no other human beliefs, teachings or practices can give. It only happens when one comes to God through Jesus Christ, submitting to His Lordship. He continues to intercede for us, helping us in our weaknesses so that we remain in Him, escaping the deception of Satan. Great is the love of God our Father! He saves even the chief of sinners, the vilest offender who truly believes! He only calls men to come to Him in repentant humility. Will you?

Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

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."- NIV

One of the biggest temptations when worn out and weary is to give up. With the constant battles, the enemy’s aim is to wear us out so as to give up out faith and give in to his manipulations. In delays, the temptation is to yield to short cuts which compromise your values and stand. Sometimes the good you have always done seems to have gone unnoticed and the feeling is that it was useless to have done good and yet the wicked seem to be thriving.

Paul was teaching about helping carry one another’s burdens and doing good to others. When we ourselves are worn out, feeling low or struggling in some way or another, it is easy to ignore what challenges others are going through. The focus comes to us, yet we have a responsibility to be our brothers keepers too. Paul reminds us that there is a reward to our doing good to others and not to give up doing good.

At the point of exhaustion, the future appears dark, like not much will work out again. Thats how many people give up. And yet alittle perseverance will keep us going. Even if you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, rest and pick up again. But keep moving. Victory is certain to those who don’t give up on their God given course. God assures us of His presence and to renew our strength. Jesus never gave up amidst so much that wore Him out. Let’s learn from Him, as we fix our eyes on Him so that we don’t grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:1-3 "… And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he 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."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

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." NIV

God was responding to complains by Israel about His might which is incomparable to that of idols people trusted in. People rely on several things for their safety and strength. This includes physical energy, intellectual abilities, or socioeconomic privileges. All these have their limitations. At one point or another, they fail. Youth is symbolic of the peak of human energy. But it can fail.

The storms and quakes of life will come. They can drive us to points of tiredness and weariness that only God can renew. God Himself never gets tired or weary. He understands that we get tired and is committed to renew our strength when we are weak. But this only happens as we put our trust and hope in Him. Elijah walked a 40 day journey in the strength of one meal. That had to be God, not human strength.

If we are to to walk this journey of life without falling out along the way, or being derailed and giving up, we should deliberately learn to trust God in all things at all times. Human strength fails despite all our best attempts and abilities. Only by waiting on God can we withstand the relentless arrows the enemy shoots at us all the time. And we shall go on to the end and finish strong. Wait on the Lord!

Psalm 27:13-14 "[I had fainted], unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

1 Kings 19:13-14 "When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” - NIV

Elijah had walked forty days on the strength of one meal upto Mt Horeb. Twice God appeared and asked him why he was there and he gave the reply above. The tone of his words seems to be a wonder why he is being persecuted for his zeal and defense of God’s name. He even wrongly assumes he is the only one of God’s servants left and they were trying to kill him too. He is complaining and blaming.

It is common for stressed and exhausted people to find who to blame for their predicaments. Some blame themselves, other people or even God for not doing enough to help them out. Thoughts of whether all the endeavors were worth it after all cross their minds. And the enemy will be quick to fan the blame game, leading to further discouragement and frustration. Some abandon the faith. Elijah had sank too low and couldn’t be revived. So God replaced him.

Instead of blame, it’s better to find out what good may come out of this. A short rest to settle and relax among people of good encouragement could make the whole difference to restore stability of mind and objective thinking. Such tough and ugly scenarios are not the end of the road, however bad. There is always something good out of them. Blaming and asking the wrong questions just makes it worse. You are still His precious child. It will be well. Hang in there.

Romans 8:28 "We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

1 Kings 19:3-4 "Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” - NIV

Elijah ran with his servant upto Beersheba. He left him there and went alone a day’s journey into the wilderness. As he sat under that tree and prayed to die, he was alone, tired, hungry and probably angry with life. If he had someone besides him, he would have got encouragement and not seek death. David was in a similar predicament when king saul sought after his life. But he managed partly because he had good company. None of us can manage life alone, however gifted or endowed. We always need others.

Being alone gives the devil good opportunity to sow all kinds of bad thoughts in our minds. Especially when exhausted and troubled, our minds are susceptible to hopelessness, doubt and despair from the devil. Jesus needed prayer and moral support in His toughest moment in Gethsemane. He asked the disciples to stand with Him. There is a time to be alone for meditation, but not when being alone will drive you further away from God and destroy your life.

Life loses meaning especially in loneliness and isolation. One of the key strategies of the enemy is to isolate and hit hard. God created us to belong to one another. No one stands or succeeds alone. We all need a shoulder to lean on in our toughest and lowest moments. Deliberately belong to a group, a fellowship of well meaning people. It lightens burdens and makes life worth living. The wise man had this very suitable counsel:

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."(Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

1 Kings 19:3-5 "Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.”" - NIV

It was evident that Elijah was very tired physically and emotionally unstable at this time. The activities at Mount Carmel, the process of killing the false prophets, the prayer time for rain were all exhausting. And the running from Mt Carmel to Jezreel, then from Jezreel to Beersheba, a distance of more than 100 miles, totally wore him out. He was scared, tired and hungry too. And he slept. That’s why the angel first gave him food.

A combination of these factors distablizes thinking, makes one lose hope, and makes life lose meaning. The prayer he made indicated the state he was in. Many times we are so preoccupied with the businesses of life and God that we forget or trivialize our physical wellbeing. When emotional challenges find a tired, worn out body and mind, it can be disastrous both to the person and those around them. It’s one reason for emotional outbursts and irrational decisions people, including those least expected, make.

Jesus cared for the physical wellbeing of His disciples. When they returned from a successful mission, He took them somewhere by themselves to find rest and eat something. He himself slept in a boat despite a storm at sea because He was tired. It’s the reason God instituted the Sabbath as a commandment. However anointed, busy and talented we may be, there is need to rest our bodies and souls. Without which, we shall break down and become ineffective in service, unhelpful to our loved ones and susceptible to opportunistic demonic spirits.

Mark 6:30-32 "The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place."

Shalom children of God.