Good-life Daily Devotional

By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi    Acts 10:22 KJV” And  they said , Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the,Jews,was  warned  from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.”     There is a thin line between the practice of man-made religion as often demonstrated in the formalism in Christendom and true worship in the spirit . Except when analyzed under a scriptural microscope, one may not know the difference .There are two types of error , one that is deliberate and born out of ignorance and that which is not deliberate, sincere and born out of a lack of proper guidance. Cornelius’ error falls into the second category. Both errors are easily hidden under a religious camouflage in some churches.      Cornelius could have easily passed for what we may refer to as 'a faithful brother in the lord' considering his  antecedence .The phrase 'they said&

By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi    The Christian life is characterized by benevolence. Tithing should not be over-emphasized with threats while using the old testament as a yardstick for giving, this is against the law of love which is the guiding principle of all Christian actions. Giving by the law of love is not limited to the tithe but a devotion of one’s life to the course of the gospel. Tithing was a Jewish religious law which requires the giving of the tenth part (10%) of one’s earnings or harvests to the priest. (Numbers 18:26 Leviticus 27:30; 2 Chronicles 31:5 Deuteronomy 14:24;). It was a method of taxation needed to sustain the offices of the priests and Levites however, the same cannot be said of the New testament, nowhere is it recommended or commanded in any of the gospels, however, recognizing the importance of finance in the effective running of any organization Apostle Paul gives an order in 1 Cor 16:1-2 “Now concerning the collection for the saints , as I have gi

Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi  Mal 3:10 KJV   “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven , and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it”   Tithing is an acknowledgment of God's ownership of the universe and it was used to meet the material need of the clergy, stranded stranger, orphans and widows (Deut 26:12-13).   The word ‘windows ‘ is the Hebrew word ‘arubbah’ it means chimney (vent) ,a sluice (opening for water ). Water is symbolic of refreshment, while the chimney is symbolic of peace. Smoke symbolized intense anger (Gen.19:28,74:1, Psalm 102:3) From all indications, there was a reward for tithing according to the old testament. Tithing brought about pleasantness to the tither and the community. Under the new testament we are blessed with all spiritual blessings including the blessings of tithing (Eph1:3)

By Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi The Prophet’s And The Righteous man’s Reward Matt 10:41-42 AMP  “ He who receives and welcomes and accepts a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward, and he who receives and welcomes and accepts a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.  And whoever gives to one of these little ones [in rank or influence] even a cup of cold water because he is My disciple, surely I declare to you, he shall not lose his reward."        There is a reward for honouring ministers of the gospel . The word 'prophet'  is the Greek word  ‘ 'Prophetes’ it means : a foreteller ; by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet:  It is important to have a person with the capability to open our eyes to the wider implications of our actions. Our actions and choices come with consequences. Ministers of the gospel are a gift from God sent to help us avoid life’s pitfalls. It is

By Rev,Michael Benson Ajayi  John 1:12 AMP  “But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name “           The born again Christian has all the blessings of Jesus Christ dwelling in his or her spirit (center of consciousness) and nothing can be added to what God has already blessed us with . 2 Peter3: 1 says we have been given everything needed to live a fulfilled life and this is achieved through the knowledge of who we are in Christ.Note , the tense of the word ‘ given ’ used in that scripture; it is not futuristic but in the now and present continuous..           Therefore, if we have been given all blessings , which other blessing are we seeking for? The word  blessing  in (Eph1:3) is better appreciated from its meaning ,it is the Greek word  ‘ eulogia ’ which means : fine speaking, commendation , adoration; benediction;

By Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi Matt 10:8 NIV "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give."     The ‘miracle seed’  is any material gift demanded by a preacher as a precondition for a person to receive a blessing from God. This is contrary the teachings of Christ and contradicts the gospel of grace in so many ways and is one of the reasons for corruption in society and the rejection of the gospel by many . This theology gives Satan the advantage; it feeds the ego of such preachers making them rich at the expense of the poor, it does not glorify God in anyway.           The born again Christian is blessed with all blessings (Ephesians 1:3 ) and only needs faith from God’s word to experience them . Miracles are free and the apostles demonstrated this free gift in  Acts 3:6-8 NIV then  Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of N

By  Rev, Michael Benson Ajayi Mark 7:21-23, "......For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders."       The human heart ( center of consciousness) can contain two or more spirits like in the case of demon possessed person. The born again spirit does not posses the capacity to do evil. It has God's nature and is governed by love.It speaks with the inner voice of the righteous conscience.          The most frequent use of the word "spirit" in scriptures refers to either the Spirit of God ( Holy Spirit)  or the spirit of man. Man is a three-part being : a Spirit with a soul living in a body. (1 Th. 5:23). The word "spirit" can also describe as a mental disposition . The mental faculty controls the physical world.         Our thoughts produces corresponding actions or behaviour patterns resulting in a person's character and eventually a  destiny or final future . Therefore, w

 Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi     Luke 12:48TLB "But anyone who is not aware that he is doing wrong will be punished only lightly. Much is required from those to whom much is given, for their responsibility is greater ”            One of the questions we often contend with is that of the fate of our ancestors and those who did not have the opportunity of receiving the gospel before their death, does it imply they are to be neglected in the execution of God ’ s judgment.  Will it be fair for these groups of persons to be sent to  hell for not believing in Jesus Christ even when they never heard the gospel and  what about those persons in the outermost parts of the earth who may never hear the gospel preached to them , what becomes of them?         The above scripture teaches about the principle of equity in the administration of divine justice. It speaks of the varying degrees of God's judgment in proportion to the knowledge of the guilty party. It makes provisions fo

By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi Matt 21:32” For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.”         The religious Jews of Jesus’ time were self opinionated and struggled with self righteousness mainly due to their genealogical links with Abraham and the fact that the ten commandments was given by God to the Jews through Moses. They imagined nobody had the authority to instruct them in matters concerning God therefore, th e religious leaders rejected Jesus’ authority.                   In  the above parable Jesus revealed God's rejection of these religious bigots as a consequence to their rejection of His Son and emphasizing that it was those who do the will of God who are actually the ones vested with God's authority to represent Him on earth. These religious leaders were synonymous with disobeying the laws of Moses and w

By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi .      . "Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man."  Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. KJV  John 7:21-24 The word 'appearance' is the Greek word 'opsis' which means: face. sight, an external show. God does not need an earthly brand name to approve of your membership of His family or be blessed of Him, neither does He need anybody's approval before saving you .     The covenant of circumcision was given to Abram in Gen. 17:9-14. In verse. 14, the penalty for a man not carrying this sign of the covenant in his flesh was death sentence. This was how important the act of circumcision was. The Bible in Rom. 4:3-13, says that Abraham had already been declared right with God by faith before he was circumcised. It was Abram's faith that saved him before the Lord commanded Abram to be circum

By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi John 9:35 "Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?"         Most  persons underestimate the magnitude of God's love and care for humanity  , we consider ourselves as not being important enough to deserve a special place in God's plan.However , the contrary is the truth as revealed in the above verse of scripture.If you were the only person on earth , Jesus would have still gone to the cross for you.          By seeking for this man in John 9:35 ,Jesus brought him into the center stage of God's love  . Jesus sought this man out when others had forsaken him. The acceptance and recognition of a person by Jesus is worth more than everything this world has to offer This is what launches a person into prominence with overflowing joy amidst difficulties. Where our sufferings in Christ abound, then the comfort and consolation of Christ a

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 , your safety 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 , even thoug

By Rev,Michael Benson Ajayi John 4:19, "The woman said to him, Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet."      This woman like most 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, she tried very hard to conceal the scars and fears from her past failed relationships while masking as a religious expert : acting as though everything was ok. There is so much pretense in the house of God and 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 s

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 our hearts. Ju

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 become new again .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 is not 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 transf