Good-life Daily Devotional

By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi John 8:56 "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad."          Prophet Abraham was privileged to have received the revelation of the day when man shall be justified by faith and not by the works of self-effort (Rom. 4:13), and he believed it and was himself justified by faith (Rom. 4:3-4, 9).He was ecstatic by the good news. Hebrews 11:6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please him." It was Abraham's faith that pleased God. Faith is the total reliance on God for existence; it is like being in an airplane 40.000 feet above sea level ; at that point , one's life is in the hands of the pilot till the plane arrives its destination, likewise is our faith.         The Lord promised Abraham that his seed would be as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore and Abraham believed God. That pleased Him so much that he counted Abraham righteous from that moment ,

 By Rev,Michael Benson Ajayi John 4:19, "The woman said to him, Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet."      This woman like everyone of us had secrets which formed her disposition towards others. There are things about us which if brought to the open may be damaging to us and in the process of trying to  conceal them we end up living false lives like this woman.   She pretended to be on a religious quest while the truth was that she needed a man in her life, but for the fear from her past failed relationships , she acted like everything was ok. There is so much pretense in the house of God.  Until we deal with our inner fears we can not experience the freedom Jesus bought for us on the cross.     Very often we encounter heavenly messengers with the relevant tools needed to bring us out of life's challenges but for the fear of our weaknesses being discovered we try very hard to stay off the searchlight like this woman . She brought up doctrin

Rev.Michael Benson            God wants the best for us .His plan is for you to live the good life daily. You can live that, peaceful, joyful, honourable life of abundance This requires our working with Him through His word like a skillful builder faithfully follows the designs on a building plan to put up an architectural marvel . The word of God says in Mark 4:26-29.  "And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come''.     The Word of God is a seed (Mark 4:14) which grows when planted into the soil of the human heart . This involves two processes. First, God’s Word has to be planted like a seed in

By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi   "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new." 2Corinthians 5.17 Bible       The very moment a person receives Jesus Christ as lord and saviour , their old life and identity abruptly comes to an end and now everything is new in Christ. Everything from our old lives (failures, heartbreaks, curses, hopelessness, rejection, slavery etc) has ended and all things have become new.This can be likened to what happens when a woman gets married and changes her surname. She undergoes a radical transformation in status.       The bible isn't talking about our natural life but our spiritual (the human rational soul -by implication- vital principle or mental disposition) life. It is like changing a mobile phone SIM card and software from an inefficient network setting to a super efficient one, though the phone remains the same but there is an internal transfor

By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi John 10:10 AMP "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).        The Greek word translated "life" here is "zoe" and it means life in the absolute sense, a life of abundance  , Jesus came to save us from hell and give us this "zoe" or God-kind of life in abundance- having more than enough of every good thing . The life in Christ is different from the physical life, it is a life satiated with God's goodness. We do not need to wait until we get to heaven before before we enjoy this kind of life        Zoe life is presently at work in the spirit of every born-again person.It is however, hindered by the natural or animal character. This supernatural or Zoe life is made active whenever we disallow thoughts, emotions, or actions that are contrary to the Word of God (G

By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi Gal 3:28” There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus”.      Before Christ came in the flesh, Jewish regulations did not give room for racial integration between the religious Jews and non-religious Gentiles. Non Jews were barred from entering certain areas of the temple  in Jerusalem, there was a partition between the Jews and non Jews during worship , it was so high that they could   hardly see each other ,and the violation of this law of separation attracted   the death penalty .Gentiles were relegated to the background and treated as second class citizens.       Jesus changed the protocols in worship during His earthly ministry, John 12:21 KJV says “The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.KJV"  Jesus' disciples had just informed Him that certain Greeks or Gentiles desired audience with Hi

By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi Luke 18:21   "All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said. NIV         This young man's claims to being faithful in keeping the laws of Moses were obviously untrue and despite his deceitfulness in business and his hypocritical worship Jesus' love for him never seized. God loves sinners(John3:16) .       No human being regardless of how pious he or she may claim to be can keep the commandments. Those folks who derive joy from intimidating others with their religious achievements while claiming to keep the commandments have simply devised ingenious ways to conceal their lies which eventually will be brought to the open Eccl 7:20”There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins” this includes the Bishops, Reverends,Apostles, General Overseers, Prophets , Monks,Imams etc.That is why we need a saviour : a guarantor to our salvation. Religion cannot guarantee a person's salvatio

By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi John 9:34 "They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out."      Religion is man's definition of who God is and it induces spiritual pride,blindness,arrogance and  presumptuousness and places a person above correction as exemplified in the above statements by the pharisees.No one was considered good enough except they were members of their infinitesimal congregation.       They were a sect synonymous with extreme devotion to Moses' laws and commitment to leading an isolated life. There name meant 'to be separate '  They were descendants of  Jewish returnees from the Babylonian captivity, and were influenced by pagan Babylonian religious customs. The sect was set up to give the Jewish state an identity and cultural orientation that was patterned after the laws of Moses .       They were patriots and religious zealots. However, over time the

By Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi John 6:28, "Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?"JOHN 6:24-29      Ever since the invention of the first religion in the garden of Eden which entailed the worship of the tree-god as a source of wisdom and the eventual fall of man , mankind  throughout history has been seeking for ways to do the works of God.        Man was created with a part in us which subliminally seeks for a superior authority. We were created to worship and be adored . Undeniably, everyone has a consciousness within them of the reality of God (Rom. 1:18-20), and a desire to be right with Him. However, just as with the religious folks in the above verse, very few agree with the Lord as to how to perform this duty .        Many persons like these religious folks are willing to do be engaged in some kind of duty to obtain salvation, but they are not willing to commit themselves to Jesus and accept His gift of salvatio

By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi  Matt 23:23AMP Bible “ Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders (hypocrites)! For you give a tenth of your mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected and omitted the weightier (more important) matters of the Law — right and justice and mercy and fidelity. These you ought [particularly] to have done, without neglecting the others.”        Jesus clearly opposed the hypocritical display of acts of holiness by the religious folks of His time. Man-inspired religion seeks to please God based on human standards as demonstrated in the excessive demand for tithe by religious leaders while society reels under injustice, hatred and infidelity. These religious duties may be right but the motives ill-conceived . The place of holiness in our actions cannot be overemphasized. However, God is against the idea that says our  actions could produce a right relationship with God ,thereby placing the burden of salvation on man.      This is contr

 By Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi         Matt 21:31” Which of the two did the will of the father? They replied, The first one. Jesus said to them, Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the harlots will get into the kingdom of heaven before you.” AMP Luke 13:23-24 "Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able to enter.        Many self-righteous folks will seek to enter the kingdom of God and shall not be able to enter not because God refused salvation to anyone.   God "is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Pet. 3:9). "The grace of God that brings salv ation has appeared to all men . . ." (Titus. 2:11) It is the will of God for all of mankind to be saved. Jesus said the process of salvation is so easy that commercial sex workers would have a fair chance just as much a

 By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi. Matt 10:28 "Don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell”.(NLT bible)     Jesus is not saying we should have a dreadful fear of the Father.  There are two words used to describe 'fear' in the Greek the first is “phobos” from where the word phobia comes from; it means (to be put in fear); alarm or fright, be afraid, exceedingly, fear, terror. The second is ‘phobeo’ ; to be in awe of, i.e revere.         It is the second kind of fear that Jesus says we should have for the heavenly Father . The reverential fear of God is a demonstration of our love for Him. True love is sustained through reverential fear, it shows how much we value the one we  love, it is the bedrock of great relationships. Sin is the outcome of the absence of referential fear and it results in death .                                                            It is not God’s

 By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi     Luke 11:11 - "If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?"         The statistics of victims of parental abuse is ever on the increase .Most victims suffer verbal, physical , emotional and even sexual abuse and the worst of them all , spiritual abuse (parental curses ,exposure to mediums and other demonic activities) This lives long- lasting and very bitter impressions on us and they form part of the building block of a human being from where character is formed. This has led to overwhelming fear of the unknown and suspicions , consequently , we are most inclined to embrace doubt instead of godly faith and more tolerant to falsehood than truth; this is the reason behind so many failed relationships .    One of the consequences of   parental abuse is the inability to   trust God's ability to do things for us than we do those who are

By Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi          John 11:5 "Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus."John 11:5           No matter how dysfunctional a child may be, no loving parent would be glad to see their two-year old drown in a swimming pool ,instead, they would do everything necessary to rescue that child.Usually those at the forefront of our church activities are usually those we consider better behaved with good education and reputation in society .   Martha was the exact opposite of this   that’s why the scriptural reference of Jesus’ love for Martha is note worthy in Luke 10:38-42   Martha was caught up with serving instead of devotion time to Jesus and her priorities were misplaced.        In that event Jesus chastised Martha   for her own good. When the Lord points out our errors even when it hurts, it is ultimately for our own good and it eventually brings out the best in us   - We should   not consider it as an act of   punishment, hate or  

By Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi   Luke 15:20 "And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him."       Isa 54:9KJV.says".. I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee." this scriptures says God does not hate the sinner . Jesus Christ received on His person during His crucifixion all the punishment and anger meant   for all sinners including the unborn as a demonstration of God's love for the sinner. Sin kills by gradually drowning its victim .The world is in  Chaos because of sin. Jesus Christ pities the sinner and sicks for ways to save and reconcile them back to God. Like the case of the prodigal , He longs to receive the sinner into His household of grace.John 3:17NIV says "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."         The only authentic solution to

 By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi . Luke 16:17 "And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail."          The laws of Moses were given as a code of conduct to the Jews , unfortunately , there are some religious folks engrossed in the attempt to achieve their righteousness by thinking, they could fulfill the law , but no one could keep it. The law was not designed to be kept but to make us accountable to God , humble us and show us the need for a redeemer or saviour .  If you failed in  one , you failed all. James 2:10-11 10 NIV"For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it".   It was absolutely impossible for anyone to be right standing before God by observing the laws of Moses. Gal 2:16KJV  "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith

By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi   1 Cor 14:4 AMP " He who speaks in a [strange] tongue edifies and improves himself,..." The disciples began speaking in other tongues (an unlearned, spirit- inspired language) after receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4)  Speaking in tongues while meditating on scriptures is the most effective source of self-improvement known to the church , parts of its benefits are as follows:   a)      It is a source of rest and refreshing: “for with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people to whom he said this is the rest wherewith you may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing.” Isa.28:11. if we would spend a little time each day speaking in tongues, panic, stress, tear and fear will be a thing of the past in our lives.   b)      It   is an opportunity to give thanks to God in acceptable manner.   Sometimes we get overwhelmed with the feeling of gratitude to God for what He has done in our lives. At such time we a

By Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi 1 Cor 12:30 NKJV ” … Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? ”       This scripture has been often misinterpreted  to mean the gift of tongues isn’t for all believers, but that is far from the truth. Scriptures are best understood when examined contextually and the context of 1 Corinthians chapter 12 is on the need for synergy among believers in spreading the good news of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.             The question posed by Apostle Paul was on the ability to speak in a Spirit-inspired and unlearned language that may not be understood by the speaker except he or she is given an interpretation by the Holy Spirit but could be understood by a targeted audience to whom the Holy Spirit wants to speak to. An example of this was the world conference on the day of Pentecost:, the scriptures says in Acts 2:4 that the disciples immediately began to speak with other tongues as the Holy Ghost gave them utteran

By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi Eph 4:30 NKJV “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”  Mark 3:28 " But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: " KJV        The Holy Spirit possesses the characteristics of a personality; they include     Intellect (The ability to think and reason), Sensitivity (The ability to feel things) Will (The capacity of choice and decision)     He is not just a mere power or influence, only a person can have feelings , it is for that reason that we are exhorted not to ‘grieve’ the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30) just as   Ananias and Sapphira “lied against Him and paid dearly for it” (Acts 5:3,4). They challenged the authority of the Holy Spirit by trying to frustrate the church through financial starvation. Impersonal power e.g electricity is incapable of such feelings but a person can be grieved, lied to, tempted and vexed.Th