Good-life Daily Devotional

   By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi    "Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT  " Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8 NLT   The christian life is an expression of God's divine nature , it is beyond keeping to the written codes of a religion . The Christian faith is intuitive , emotional and logical and driven by sacrificial love.      Love is liberating and yet critical and has definite boundaries. Love judges. God is love and the supreme judge of the universe. A loving mum would not allow her children abuse hard drugs or indulge in excessive viewing of television . To a child , being judged by a parent for  being irresponsible may be considered as unfair and inconsiderate but the parent's intentions are for the wellbeing of the child. Love protects and sometimes protects us from ourselves.        Our collective

  By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi  Luke 12:54-55 NKJV  “Then He also said to the multitudes, "Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, 'A shower is coming'; and so it is . "  The use of extraterrestrial objects such as the stars ,moon and meteorological analysis in  the interpretation of spiritual events was common in Jesus' time as it is today. However , Jesus spoke against such in Luke 17:20-21 KJV “...The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”   Predictions about the kingdom of God and the end times have become a source of fear and frustration to many. Salvation is by grace through faith which works by love not fear and God’s kingdom cannot be detected with scientific instruments ,it is spiritual and cannot be interpreted by the movement of stars, asteroids or any other atmospheric phenomenon .The kingdom of God (His essence ,presence )

By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi  “You must not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you are called to testify in a dispute, do not be swayed by the crowd to twist justice." Exodus 23: 2    "And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins." Numbers 16:26    One of the challenges pastors are faced with while praying for persons in a crowd is that of being able to distinguish who to pray for and those that need outright repentance from sins before they can be healed (James 5:6)  It is common to see certain persons move from one so-called 'deliverance ministry' to  another in search of a so-called powerful man of God to pray for a so-called stubborn situation .      In reality the anointing and the anointer is the Holy Spirit and he is not more in one person and less in another . He is the same everywhere. The problem is that of having faith for without

    By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi    "Nor do we boast and claim credit for the work someone else has done. Instead, we hope that your faith will grow so that the boundaries of our work among you will be extended. Then we will be able tour go and preach the Good News in other places far beyond you, where no one else is working. Then there will be no question of our boasting about work done in someone else’s territory." 2 Corinthians 10:15‭-‬16 NLT    " I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm." 2 Corinthians 11:27 NLT    Apostle Paul was in contention with persons who taught that a person's spirituality was measured by religious devotion outside the promotion of the gospel and a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit. Under such religious arrangements , devotees depended on their so called 'super apostles

  By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi  " For the believing wife brings holiness to her marriage, and the believing husband brings holiness to his marriage. Otherwise, your children would not be holy, but now they are holy." 1 Cor 7:14 NLT   "But Moses’ wife, Zipporah, took a flint knife and circumcised her son. She touched his feet with the foreskin and said, “Now you are a bridegroom of blood to me.” Exod 4:25 NLT    God made a covenant with Abraham , it was sealed with the ordinance of circumcision of the foreskin . The covenant of salvation and blessing extended to the offsprings of Abraham . The Bible says  in Gen 6:9 "And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you;"      Moses was married to the daughter of a priest who understood the law of covenant . God's covenant is sealed with blood ( a symbol of life for life Hebrew 9;22 ) . Jesus Christ gave up his life for our lives thus justice was satisfied . Moses was appointed to exec

      By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi   "where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust."Acts 14:22‭-‬23 NLT Luke 2:37 "And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.'      The early church understood fasting ( depriving yourself of food  )  as an instrument for the development of our spirit man. They understood the importance of faith and a heart of love. They  recognized the importance of patience in the fulfilment of God's promises.     The scripture says God has given us all that pertains to life and godliness and that the believer is blessed with all spiritual blessings in Jesus Chri

 By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi  Psalms 106 14-15  "In the wilderness their desires ran wild,  testing God’s patience in that dry wasteland ,So he gave them what they asked for,   but he sent a plague along with it."    The human spirit is created in God's likeness and feeds on spiritual foods just as the flesh feeds on physical foods. The person whose spirit has not experienced the regeneration of the holy Spirit will have an appetite for unholy things that makes a person unclean.  Jesus  Christ said in Mark 7::20-22 "For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder ,adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.” This is why religion can be so misleading giving that a person can be filled with so much spiritual filth and yet appear pious .. It is ironical that a person. could be filled with so much evil yet appea

    By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi  Matt 25:15 KJV “And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.”     Each servant was given talents according to their productive capacity ; it was in accordance to their investment capability. Life is a business, Jesus said in Luke 2:49-50 NKJV “… Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" The word 'business' is a Greek word ‘huperperisseuo’ which means to cause someone to overflow with something, to be present in (greater) abundance.                    We consciously or unconsciously engage in the business of exchange of virtues spiritually, emotionally, intellectually and materially on a daily bases. This is what played out in the encounter between Elisha and the poor widow whose children were about to be taken as slaves (2kings4:1-7). Elisha’s strategy to get her out of debt was through oil retail business and i

   "Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:9 NLT   ".. he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." Galatians 6:8 NKJV    We will all live forever , the human spirit is indestructible  , while some persons will be sent to a domain of eternal judgment and grief   , those who have received the free gift of salvation by grace shall be in the domain of eternal joy , peace in the Holy Spirit .  The clause 'everlasting life ' in Galatians 6:8  is from the Greek word 'zōē' it means : the state of one who is possessed of vitality or is animate , a living soul, of the absolute fullness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God, life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resu

   By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi    Heb 10:24-25 KJV “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”     Followers of Jesus Christ are called to be symbols and dispensers of God’s unconditional love. He gave us a new commandment (John13:34) haven fulfilled the Old Testament; this commandment is centered on love for one’s neighbor as yourself(Gal.5:14) .This is contrary to what religion preaches, Matt 5:38-46  NKJV Says "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'   But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.  If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.  And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.  Give to him who asks you, and from him wh

    By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi Ex 3:20-22 NKJV  “ And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be, when you go, that you shall not go empty-handed. ”               The word  ‘ favour ’  used in this scripture is the Hebrew word  ‘ chen ’  and it means graciousness, kindness, beauty, pleasant, precious. Therefore, whenever a person is operating under divine favour he or she becomes a recipient of extraordinary goodwill .           In the New Testament,  ‘ favour ’  is used interchangeably with the word  ‘ grace ’ .  It is our insurance policy against failure or defeat in our mission to spread the gospel . It is the covenant right of every believer in Christ however, not all believers in Christ work in divine favour as they ought to . The scriptures say in James NKJV 4:6 “ But  He gives more  grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." James 4:10 NKJV  “ Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He w

  By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi   "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. " Isaiah 9:6  Government is the instrument through which God's blessings flows to humanity. Adam and eve were thrown out of the garden because they rebelled against God's government. This has led to untold hardship being suffered  by humanity till date.      Before a person gets delivered he or she must come under God's government,  that's the meaning of " in Jesus name I pray" Jesus is the embodiment of God's government  and authority, rulership , are under his power.      Any form of abuse of political power is an attack and insult against God with terrible consequences.  In the Old Testament we read about Korah's rebellion against Moses through a parallel government Numbers 16:2-3,15,40 "And t

    By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi     "But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility." Acts of the Apostles 6:1‭-‬3 NLT     "But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the future. Now I will tell you your dream and the visions you saw as you lay on your bed. The king said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is the greatest of gods, the Lord over kings, a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this secret.” Daniel 2:28‭, ‬

   By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi 1 Thessalonians 5: 19  "Quench not the Spirit." "Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not put up with humans for such a long time, for they are only mortal flesh. ..”  Genesis 6:3 NLT     The Holy Spirit is the all-powerful , all-knowing,  all-present mind of God and it is in the mind that  emotions emanate . Man was created in the image of God and at such it is safe to say God has emotions . The bible says  Ephesians 4 30 "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." The word 'grieve' is the Greek word ' lupeō ,' it means : to make sorrowful , to affect with sadness, cause grief, to throw into sorrow , to grieve, offend to make one uneasy, cause him a scruple .     The Holy Spirit experiences hurt the same way we do but is not limited by emotional pains . Hurting the Holy Spirit affects the way God fellowships with us. The Holy Spirit will not force a person to yield to

  By Rev Michael Benson Ajay  "While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions until he reached Ephesus, on the coast, where he found several believers.  “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” he asked them. “No,” they replied, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied." Acts  19:1‭-‬2‭, ‬6 NLT  Every believer in Jesus Christ is expected to be baptized in the Holy Spirit  . Holy Spirit baptism is the license we give to God to possess our spirit , soul and body with his Spirit . It is likened to being under the influence of alcohol . A drunkard is bold and not ashamed . At that point the content of the heart is revealed . The bible says "Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,"Eph 5:18 NLT   Persons who drink do so to overcome sorrow and for jo

   By Rev Michael Benson Ajay  "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:   Of sin, because they believe not on me;"  John 16:8‭-‬9 KJV     "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.   That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.   Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.   The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." John 3:5‭-‬8 KJV      The Holy Spirit is the third person of the triune God -creator of the universe . It is easy to understand the concept of a triune God when we consider our design . As you read this very moment, there is a dialogue taking place within you. It is undeniable, it is as if there are two persons inside

     By Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi  Num 24:10-14 “King Balak flew into a rage against Balaam. He angrily clapped his hands and shouted, "I called you to curse my enemies! Instead, you have blessed them three times.  Now get out of here! Go back home! I promised to reward you richly, but the Lord has kept you from your reward."  Balaam told Balak, "Don't you remember what I told your messengers? I said, 'Even if Balak were to give me his palace filled with silver and gold, I would be powerless to do anything against the will of the Lord.' I told you that I could say only what the Lord says! “       Prophet Balaam like every servant of the lord had his weaknesses, there is no servant of the lord who has not erred (Ecc.7:20) it is what makes the mercy of God indispensable to our existence. But in this case Balaam had a choice to turn against God and be rich beyond his wildest dream or remain with the truth and face the consequences.  He chose  the latter  against

    By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi     "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand." John 10:28 NKJV   " Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you," I Peter 1:3‭-‬4 NKJV     The difference between Christianity and other religions is that while other religions places the burden of salvation upon man often requiring sacrifices, on the other hand Jesus Christ took upon him the burden of our salvation through a vicarious atonement and universal forgiveness.  Thus, salvation is an act of grace and a gift to be received by faith with thanksgiving.      Logically , an act of atonement can only be executed through a sinless priest that was why God had to first declare Abr

   By. Michael Benson Ajayi Mark 8:24-26 NKJV  “ And he looked up and said, "I see men like trees, walking." Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly.     Jesus ’  healing methods were a reflection of God ’ s love for us, they were very unconventional:  He laid hands, prophesied and in this case used saliva therapy .He did not operate by any religious model or template. Each miracle was unique in nature and with a message ; the scripture says Jesus took the blind man out of town and spat on his eyes after which he asked to know if he could see, it took two treatments before the desired result was achieved. This is contrary to what is observed in many religious miracle arenas  were people are humiliated openly in the public domain and made a spectacle of with digital theater effects for the world's media ;  Jesus did all he could do to maintain the dignity of those he prayed for.        The use of saliva was