Good-life Daily Devotional

DO NOT BE CONSUMED BY REGRETS By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi Proverbs 24:16 "For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief."         One of the realities of the Christian life is that righteous  men do fall short too. The scriptures says in Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  " One can never  be too careful enough . The best plan for success is prone to failure that's why the cooperate world has force majeur  (the act of God) as an element to be considered in contractual agreements. It is because of the possibilities of failures that insurance companies exist.            Disappointments are part of life and shouldn't be viewed from the point of being under a curse, especially when one is convinced that you've put in your best into a project, be it in a marriage, relationships ,ministry or business, because some disappointments are as a result of some other person's

Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi      Man is social in nature and loves to move in groups,  this gives a sense of self-worth, love  and security. It is for these reasons that friendship is a necessary part of our human development,  and if well harnessed, it could lead to the furtherance of the building of human capacity.            Friends can affect us for the better or for the worse, they play a great role in our spiritual development as a ready source of inspiration negatively or positively. One's spiritual state can easily be measured through the spiritual temperature of one's closest friends, for example persons who do not tithe or speak in tongues by the Holy Ghost  are most likely to have  close friends doing likewise .         The impact  of friends on one's life  is the same as that of the chain-links of a bicycle chain, therefore, a person could be said to be as strong as the weakest member  of one's cycle of close friends . Through friends we receive wisdom and stre

SEEK REVELATION INSTEAD OF MANIFESTATION Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi Matt 24:24    “for there shall arise false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect”.           This prophesy by Jesus Christ about the events that shall take place prior to His second coming is being fulfilled as evident in the proliferation of miracle centers the world over. These centers have become a source of remediation to persons in desperate need of help.This is very common in third world nations were basic social amenities are lacking due to bad governance thus making citizens easy prey to workers of evil and magic.         Divination is the art of foretelling the future through supernatural means ,diviners are also able to tell the past. This is made possible by persons who allow themselves to be possessed by demons.  These demon spirits have been on planet earth for thousands of years and have records of past events about a person&#

 FROM GLORY TO GLORY By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi 2Cor.3:18 But we all,  with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are  changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the  Spirit of the Lord.       The word 'glory' is the Greek word 'doxa' which means honour, good, to be of reputation, dignity.  There is an apparent transformation that takes place in the life of the born again christian , it is first of all internal by the Holy Spirit leading to a change of perspectives.  This transformation results in a life of honour,  dignity and it is  the manifestation of the tangible goodness of the lord.           This transformation is expedited by our conscious constant exposure to God's word. The scriptures says in 2Cor. 3:15 -16 "But even unto this day, when Moses is  read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to  the Lord, the vail shall be taken away". This means there is a shadow of this glory that reli

  By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi Gen.4: 26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the Lord.           The process of the redemption of the human race from the control of Satan and sin is a continues process spanning many generations. By virtue of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ the devil is well aware of his impending doom and seeks to carry as many persons as possible along with him . As a strategy, he seeks to dilute and pollute the message of the gospel and kill as many unsaved persons as possible .             God always makes sure that there's a remnant who will continue with the process of the propagation of the gospel and the fulfillment of prophesies.The enemy is opposed to this and seeks to destroy the carriers of the genuine message of the kingdom.When Moses was born, an  order was given for  every male child to be killed but God spared Moses as the remnant  of an entire generation, li

Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi Rev 2:14-16 kjv” But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”            The NICOLAITANS were followers of a deviant form of Christianity in Asia Minor, who were sharply condemned by the apostle John in his letters to the church at Ephesus (Rev 2:6) and Pergamum (2:15). They were commended for rejecting the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, who were also classified as ‘false apostles ‘ . The group had gained a foothold, however, in Pergamum where, like Balaam of old, it encouraged the people to practice idolatry and sexual immorality (Num 25:1-3; 31:16).This was contrary to God’s

Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi James2:15" If a brother or sister be naked, and  destitute of daily food,  And one of you say unto them, Depart in  peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not  those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."        The church of Christ is an extension of God's loving  hands towards humanity.  The scriptures describes the church as the body of Christ.  We make God visible to humanity and are instrumental to the answers to the prayers of many.          The purpose of God’s blessings upon us can't be realized in the absence of others. The scriptures describes the believer in Jesus Christ as a tree. In Isaiah 61:3 we are called trees of righteousness. A tree serves as shade and a source if food .It's branches produce fire needed to keep warm. A tree lives for others.   This is a true picture of what the church is, therefore, it shouldn't be

      By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi  James 2:19 – thou believest that there is one God, thou doesth well; the devil also believe, and tremble. We must check our thinking about demons carefully, much of what the world believes is not from the bible. 1 John 4:1 tells us that there are many errors taught by false prophets and the spirit of Anti Christ. WHAT ARE DEMONS?  They are called “Foul (Greek 'akathartos' meaning unclean) Spirits” and “Devils” (Matt 4:24, Mk 9:2 ) They are not the spirit of dead persons :the dead are either in hell or heaven :Ecc9:5, Lk16:27-31 Satan is the leader or prince of demons and is also called Beelzebub (Mk 3:22)        Demons believe there is a God and they are afraid of Jesus' judgment against them (James 2:19) They are able to do miracles in order to deceive (2Thes2:9 )  How do people respond to Demons. Most cultures recognize the existence of these spirits and some persons seek their help by making sacrifices to them  ,some of these sacrifice

Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi 1John 3:15 "Whosoever hateth  his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal  life abiding in him."     The English dictionary defines hatred as extreme dislike. The message of the gospel is centred on God's love for humanity. Though human beings are bitter towards God for some of the unpleasant  experiences that he allows us to go through.The common thinking is that an all- powerful ,loving , benevolent  and all -knowing God should  come to our rescue regardless of whatever steps that we might have taken or someone took on our behalf that led to whatever  crisis we are faced with.       If God were to prevent the consequences of every action from manifesting then he will be acting contrary to his office as a judge. Every misfortune on earth is as a result of human rebellion against God’s will. Some of the consequences of our actions affects the innocent including unborn children. God has given us wisdom to know good and b

  Rev Michael Benson Ajayi Ephesians 1:11  "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated  according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the  counsel of his own will:"         God’s plan for us is summarised in 3jn1: 2 " Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in  health, even as thy soul prospereth. " Jesus said in John 10:10.."I  am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more  abundantly."         God doesn't want us to live a life of barely getting-by but a life of abundance . It is by His providence that our supplies are guaranteed.  He is not bound by the prevailing economic situation. He created the universe and the laws that governs it. He is above every rulership ,dominion and works all things according to His will  (Ephesians 1:11).      He is omnipotent (all-powerful ),  omniscient (all-knowing )and omnipresent (all-present ) and can do an infinite number of

 Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi Psalm42:5-6" Why  art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me?  hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his  countenance. O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore  will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites,  from the hill Mizar."        The word 'Jordan' is a word in the Hebrew which means to descend , to go downwards, to fall , and the word Hermonites is a Hebrew word which means 'Peaks '  and Mizar is a word which means petty in size or number.  These three words are an expression of the three phases in human life, namely, at the peak of one's achievement, the period of a downturn and when there is little progress. We may not be able to stop these circumstances  from taking place but we can control how we respond to them.       The Christian life is full of ups and downs by virtue of the fact that as humans our carnal nature keeps interfering with God

THE CURSE OF THE FIRSTBORN CHILD :  TRUE OR FALSE Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi Genesis. 49:3 -4 "Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:Unstable as water, thou shalt not  excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst  thou it: he went up to my couch. "         The theology says the first-born child passing through  difficulties in life is a victim of the curse of the first born. Those who teach this usually site Gen.49:3-4 to buttress their claim. For there to be a curse, there has to be a justifiable reason for its pronouncement and execution.  It is important that a clear distinction be made between a curse and going through life's challenges. The word  'curse' is the Hebrew word 'Arar' which means to be: hated ,despised as in Genesis 12:3" And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all familie

Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi      2kings 14:5-6 "And it came to pass,  as soon as the kingdom was confirmed in his hand, that he slew his  servants which had slain the king his father. But the children of the  murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the  book of the law of Moses, wherein the Lord commanded, saying, The  fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be  put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for  his own sin."           The teaching on generational curses has generated much debate among biblical scholars and non-Christians too. The teaching is derived from Exodus 34:7 "Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. "  let's take a look at this scripture using the syntactical

Rev Michael Benson Ajayi 1Cor.7:5 "Defraud  ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye  may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again,  that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency."       There is a correlation between faith and one's sexuality as revealed in the aforementioned scripture. Jesus speaking to His disciples in Matthew 17:15-21 said fasting and prayer was a requirement in developing faith to deal with stubborn situations in our lives.  The disciples had attempted casting out an evil spirit but they couldn't because of their unbelief (Matthew 17:20) .       The process of fasting includes abstinence from sex for a short period of time by mutual consent by married persons. The act of sex is the most powerful physical  experience one could ever experience and it's the only time when a human being surrenders his or her spirit, soul and body to another person. That's why it is a major gateway to evil spir

By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi “Many evils confront the (consistently) righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.  He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken Psalm 34:19-20 To persecute means to harass, afflict, hunt down, or put to death, especially for religious or political opinions.         We are in a world were the forces of good and evil jostle to establish supremacy.  They world unfortunately celebrates evil more than they do for good, as a result, humanity is in a marathon race bound for self destruction.  Despite the prevalence of so much anti-God ideologies, there still exist a remnant who refuse to be overwhelmed by the tidal wave of society decay and maladjustments. These persons have made an irrevocable commitment to be agents of the kingdom of God and beacons of hope in a hopeless generation.  And as in every marathon race, any one who runs against the traffic is most likely to meet with strong opposition. Every follower of Jesus Christ will suffer per

By Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi Ephesians 4:16 AMP "For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love."         The  Christian community functions in the likeness of the human body with many parts adapted to specialized functions and yet working in harmony as one homogeneous entity.  The scriptures says in 1 Corinthians 12:20 AMP "And now there are [certainly] many limbs and organs, but a single body".  The body of Christ is driven by the Holy Spirit who is the originator of the church of Christ which is also referred to has heirs of the  kingdom of God .        The scriptures says in John 3:5" Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter i

By Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi Zechariah 7: 9 "Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts,  saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions  every man to his brother:"         The Israelites in Zechariah's time had been plagued with prolonged economic instabilities, marital crisis, insecurity  and overwhelming fear and their plea for help landed on deaf ears because  they neglected true justice, mercy and love in their dealings with one another.  These are the threefold cords that the scriptures speaks of in Ecclesiastes 4:12 "And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken." Whenever a family or community is driven by unfeigned  passion or love for each other, mercy for the repentant offenders and true or impartial justice, it becomes impenetrable against the onslaught of the enemy.        The combination of two or more stable families produces a stable community, and the combination of two or more stable comm