Good-life Daily Devotional

 Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi Philippians 2:14-15 NLT "Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.".         The English  dictionary defines complaining as :finding fault, express displeasure and arguing is defined as; dispute, making claims, giving reasons. The above scripture isn't referring to the momentary complaints we make, rather, it is referring to a life of obsessive or habitual complaints and arguments.           Fault- finding gives Satan express access in to a marriage, business, relationship and ministry : it is the shifting of blames to other persons other than oneself resulting in contentions and bitter rivalry that sometimes turns deadly.         It is born out of selfish ambitions: a result of comparing oneself with others.James 3:14-16 NLT says "But if you are bitterly jealous and the

by. Rev Michael Benson Ajayi. 1Timothy 6:6 "  But godliness with contentment is great gain."        The word 'contentment' as used in this biblical  text is the Greek word 'autarkeia' and it means ;self-satisfaction, competence,  sufficiency. This word has been wrongly interpreted to mean poverty by many  Poverty is a symptom of the curse Jesus delivered us from (2Cor8.9) therefore ,God is no way pleased with His children being poor.         The father is only pleased by our faith in His word.This is what the bible describes as godliness and it comes with great rewards.Hebrews 11:6 says  "But without faith it is impossible to please  him: for he that cometh  to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that  diligently seek him." and Romans 1:17 says"... The just shall live  by faith". Faith is the password or authorization needed to obtain anything from God. Therefore, whatever lack we suffer is not from Go

By Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi   Phil. 3:9 "And be found him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith."        Our union with Christ Jesus, has moved us out of the place of guilt and God’s wrath into a place of innocence before God and a loving relationship with him. God declares us “Not Guilty” because Jesus has done all that is necessary to guarantee our salvation.It is like a bank guarantee: which covers a business transaction against failure due to financial shortage.If the businessman is not able to pay the bills , the bank finances the project to ensure its completion.That is what the blood of Jesus did for humanity. This is something religion can not do: under religion we remain perpetually under the bondage of sin and guilt and there is no guarantee for salvation.       God is the judge and He alone is the lawgiver, the scripture says in Ps. 50:6  "And

Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi Isaiah 33:6 And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his treasure.     The word 'stability ' is the Hebrew word  'emuwnah ' it means  firmness;  security; morally fidelity, steady, truly, truth, verily. This defines the character of the believer in Jesus Christ needed for a victorious life .  Christian growth  is marked by major changes and demands : the older we get the more of a liability we become to our individual communities.        A teenager is more of a liability to his or her parents than a toddler, and more is expected of a teenager by his or her parents such as helping  out with house chores .therefore accountability comes with growth , Luke 12:48 says " But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed muc

                      Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi John 13:34 -35 "A new  commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have  loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all  men  know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."          Love is the fulfillment of the laws of the old testament and  it is the driving force behind any action by God's people. The scriptures says in Matthew14: 14 "And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick." miracles are a demonstration of God's love for us. That is why the Holy Spirit is grieved whenever a preacher demands money or any other form of gratification before praying for the sick .Jesus did not demand anything from the sick before healing them.  He instructed His disciples to demonstrate this same love by not charging fees for miracles. Matthew 10:8-9 says" Heal the sick, cleans

By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi   Exodus 12:13 "And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt."      The word 'token' is the Hebrew word 'owth ' which means a visible signal, a flag, beacon, evidence, miracle. The Israelites had been in slavery for four centuries and when the day of their emancipation was fully come, God sent His servant Moses as a sign to their slave master -Pharaoh : instructing him to let the Israelites go and failure to do so was met with unpleasant sanctions, one of which was  a deadly plague:         Pharaoh was adamant and the plague was unleashed upon the land of Egypt. As an antidote to the plague the Israelites were instructed to kill a sheep and mark the lintel of their doors with its blood.  Ancient African culture recognized this miracle as tokens dipped in animal blood cou

By Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi Mark 10: 16" And  he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed  them."        The word 'blessed' is the Greek word 'eulogeo' which means to speak well of, to invoke a benediction upon,to prosper, to  praise. Therefore, to be blessed means to be well spoken of and praised by God  because of His love for us (Job2:3). Nobody can bring a charge against you before God ( Rom.8:33). Whenever  a man is in love with a woman, he becomes blind to her flaws; that's how it is between the born again christian and the heavenly Father,  the scriptures says in John 3:16-17" For God so loved the world, that he gave his only  begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but  have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to  condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."   God is not excited about the prospect of those who have rejected his love i

By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi     Whenever God speaks of perfection He isn't referring  to excellence in a human endeavour,  this is were many persons miss it , such  thinking leads to pride and that's why the highest cracks in homes is among the elite in the church because they keep allowing worldly knowledge interfere with the scriptures.  We cannot interpret scriptures in the light of the world's wisdom,  it is the other way round. The scriptures gives illumination to the human heart revealing its intentions.        The spiritually immature are very offensive, abusive and cannot be trusted with leadership role because of their destructive tendencies. The scriptures says an immature christian should not occupy any leadership position in the church, 1Tim.3:6 say "Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil." appointing spiritual novices into sensitive leadership positions results in the destruction of families and

Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi Hebrew 6:1-2 "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of  baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead,  and of eternal judgment."           The word 'perfection' in this text is the Greek word 'teleios' and it means :to be complete in labor, growth, mental and moral character, to come of age. What this implies is that the Christian  goes through a growth process spiritually, intellectually, morally and in character and finally comes of age in spiritual matters.         The scriptures describes the teachings on the need to repent from dead works,  faith towards God, the need for water and Holy Ghost  baptisms ,deliverance and impartations by the laying on of the hands,  questions on the resurrection of the dead and  eternal judgment as belongin

By Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi John 13:29 "For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor."         The word 'bag' is the Greek word 'glossokomon ' which means a purse. This gives us an idea of how sensitive Judas' position was, he was the financial secretary or treasurer of the ministry : a position given to the most trusted and reliable person in an organization.           The other disciples had no complain about Judas' appointment because of his track record in society, yet he had evil intentions against Jesus Christ which culminated in his betraying Jesus for the love of money.  Judas is typical of a false teacher or prophet in the church of Christ. The false prophet or teacher is that fellow that could be considered as being very religious and like Judas very godly. What could be godlier than w

By Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi “Love shall cover the multitude of sins” 1Peter4:8       To love means to be compassionate and it is mostly needed when an offense is committed or when a person is helpless. Love is a power from God :it is His nature and the strongest force in the universe and the highest level of spirituality. It is what sustains the human race: God's love preserves us through His mercy.       The sufferings in the world are as a result of the rejection of God’s plans for humanity.  We easily rebel against that which is holy and godly and embrace evil ,resulting in heart breaks, diseases, death, destruction, misery and poverty      Our rebellion against God deserves our total annihilation,  but God’s love for humanity constraints Him from executing maximum punishment on us.He is merciful to us: “The Lord is long-suffering and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression” Numbers 14:18. The scriptures says “the Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to an

By Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi Luke 5:7 "And they beckoned unto  their partners,  which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them.  And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink."        Prior to this verse of Scripture,  Jesus had told an exasperated, overworked and disappointed  Peter who had been fishing all night to  "..... Launch  out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught."( Luke 5:4) this happened after Peter had given his boat to Jesus to use as a platform to preach the gospel of the kingdom. The scriptures teaches that a reward awaits those who give their resources for the teaching of the gospel , it is called 'sowing to the spirit '. Gal.6: 8b says  ."..he that soweth to the Spirit shall of  the Spirit reap life everlasting." What this means is that sustainability in a business enterprise comes from consciously investing in the spread of the gospel. Neglecting this divine ordina

Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi Jeremiah 9:23" Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise  man glory in his  wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich  man glory in his riches: "        The inequalities and social injustice in society are  are behind the insecurity problems the world over ;consequently, men have built their security within the perimeter of their finances,  academic achievements and social class. Unfortunately, none of the above can truly guarantee safety         The second coming of Jesus Christ shall be heralded by heightened security problems on a global scale by reason  of an increase in demonic activities.  The scriptures says Matthew 24:12" And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. " it is against this backdrop that self- dependence exposes us to the dangers of society. One cannot be careful enough in guaranteeing personal security let alone that of our loved ones.Most  nations spend  more of t