Good-life Daily Devotional

   By Rev .Michael Benson Ajayi    Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you."  Romans 13:1‭-‬3 NLT      The scriptures confirm that power for leadership comes from God. God puts people in power so that his people will prosper and his righteous will done on earth. Good governance results in the rapid spread of the gospel while bad governance results in increase in backsliding and sin in society (psalm 125:3)           It is against this backdrop that Christians are expected to be very active in the electoral processes wherever they are . This is to ensure that only per

   By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi   "So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it. " Romans 9:1   "Although the fig tree shall  not blossom, neither shall fruit  be in  the vines; the labour of the olive shall  fail, and the fields shall yield no meat;  the flock shall be cut off from the fold,  and there shall be no herd in the stalls:  18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy  in the God of my salvation." Habakkuk 3:17      The born again life is determined by the holy Spirit. The Bible says them that are led by the Holy Spirit are sons of God. Being led by the Holy Spirit does not mean a person would no longer use their brain. Failure to use common sense ( wisdom) in our daily judgments and dealings can be disastrous.      One way of putting aside wisdom is the fallacy of denying the antecedent. This is what is used by many self acclaimed prophets as an escape rout when their predictions fail.     This is how it works. A prop

   By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi " In the beginning God created the  heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth  was without form, and void; and  darkness was upon the face of the  deep. And the Spirit of God moved  upon the face of the waters. 3 And God  said, Let there be light: and there was  light. Genesis 1;1-3   The word 'light' in verse three is the Hebrew word   ôr  it means illumination or (concretely)  luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc ) and the word 'darkness ' is the Hebrew word chôshek it means the dark ; hence (literally) darkness ; figuratively misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness: -      The light and darkness mentioned here is repeated in Isaiah 60:1 "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and  the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.  2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover  the earth, and gross darkness the  people: but the Lord shall arise upon  thee, and his glory shall be seen upon  thee. 3 And t

  By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi     "  I collected great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces. I hired wonderful singers, both men and women, and had many beautiful concubines. I had everything a man could desire!    So I became greater than all who had lived in Jerusalem before me, and my wisdom never failed me.   Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors.   But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere. "Ecclesiastes 2:8-11.   "High and low,   rich and poor—listen!  They trust in their wealth   and boast of great riches.  Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death     by paying a ransom to God. Redemption does not come so easily,   for no one can ever pay enough to live forever and never see the grave. Those who are wise must finally die,   

  By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi  " And it came to pass, when Samuel was old,  that he made his sons judges over Israel.  Now  the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name  of his second, Abiah: they were judges in  Beer-sheba. And his sons walked not in his  ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took  bribes, and perverted judgment." 1 Samuel 8.1-3     Prophet Samuel was one of the most revered prophets in old testament times. He was groomed by a faithful mother Hannah who vowed to give him to God in appreciation for breaking the yoke of her barrenness. The Bible says in 1 Samuel 2:21' And the Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the Lord."    Women have a major role to play in a person's spiritual development  because they naturally spend more time with children during the formative years  and claim more ownership to their children. The father's role is to receive instructions

  By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi  John 14:23 "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. "   There is a difference between love of God and Love for God .The first is God expressing his love through a person to others even if you do not have a passion for them . Case in point , is God using Jonah to save Nineveh . He did not like the Ninevites because they were known terrorists (Assyrians in present day Iraq , the forerunners of ISIS terrorists group)    Given a choice he would have preferred they perished in their sins, but God had a different idea to teach humanity the power of his love through forgiveness. The cure for sin is forgiveness and it is the greatest expression of God's love to humanity .    Humanly speaking, it is difficult to love someone who deliberately hurts you . However, it is possible if we have love for God demonstrated through meditating

  By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi Ruth  1;16 And Ruth said, Intreat  me not to leave thee, or to return from following  after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and  where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall  be my people, and thy God my God:  17 Where  thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the  Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but  death part thee and me. 18 When she saw that  she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then  she left speaking unto her.     Proverb 15:22 '"'Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established."     The scriptures says councillors are important for the fulfilment of the divine purpose. That was what Ruth sought to get from her mother in law resulting in her marriage to Boaz a prosperous God fearing man after the death of her husband     A godly role model in marriage must be kind  the bible says in proverbs 11: 16 A  gracious woman retaineth honour: and str

   By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi  "Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it.  They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right" . Romans 2:15    Jesus Christ did not come to introduce or promote another religion neither is he a member of any religion or sect because God hates religion because it makes man proud and promotes hatred for God and man (Mathew 23, Colossians 2:19-23) Jesus Christ came to fulfill prophesy and to fulfill the demands of the laws of Moses.  Jesus Christ did not follow the laws of Moses ( he healed on the Sabbath day Matthew 12:11-12) neither did the other prophets and Abraham    Under the new order of salvation by grace where a man is made right right with God not by self effort but by God's unilateral amnesty by reason of the atoning power of the blood

    By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi  Acts 8:18 -23" And when Simon saw  that through laying on of the apostles’  hands the Holy Ghost was given, he  offered them money,  Saying, Give  me also this power, that on  whomsoever I lay hands, he may  receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter  said unto him, Thy money perish with  thee, because thou hast thought that  the gift of God may be purchased with  money. Thou hast neither part nor  lot in this matter: for thy heart is not  right in the sight of God.  Repent  therefore of this thy wickedness, and  pray God, if perhaps the thought of  thine heart may be forgiven thee.   For I perceive that thou art in the gall of  bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. "     Verse 8 describes Simon in this light  " But there was a certain  man, called Simon, which beforetime in  the same city used sorcery, and  bewitched the people of Samaria,  giving out that himself was some great  one:"     The theology that says you can obtain power for s

  By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi " Then  certain of the vagabond Jews,  exorcists, took upon them to call over  them which had evil spirits the name of  the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you  by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.  And there were seven sons of one  Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests,  which did so.  And the evil spirit  answered and said, Jesus I know, and  Paul I know; but who are ye?  And  the man in whom the evil spirit was  leaped on them, and overcame them,  and prevailed against them, so that  they fled out of that house naked and  wounded."  Acts 19: ,13-16     'And these signs shall  follow them that believe; In my name  shall they cast out devils; they shall  speak with new tongues;" Mark 16:17    Demons are fallen angels on a mission to fulfill the devil's mission to kill , steal and destroy .Jesus Christ gave the born again believer power to cast out demons the day you  received him as lord and saviour Luke 10:19 . Behold, I give unto you  pow

  By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi Acts 16:16-18  "And it came to  pass, as we went to prayer, a certain  damsel possessed with a spirit of  divination met us, which brought her  masters much gain by soothsaying:  The same followed Paul and us, and  cried, saying, These men are the  servants of the most high God, which  shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul,  being grieved, turned and said to the  spirit, I command thee in the name of  Jesus Christ to come out of her. And  he came out the same hour.  And  when her masters saw that the hope of  their gains was gone, they caught Paul  and Silas, and drew them into the  marketplace unto the rulers,"   The word 'divination' is the Greek word  Puthōn its origin is from Greek mythology where  the name of the Pythian serpent or dragon that dwelt in the region of Pytho at the foot of Parnassus in Phocis, and was said to have guarded the oracle at Delphi and been slain by Apollo. It is characteriz

   By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi    "Surely you remember that I was sick when I first brought you the Good News. But even though my condition tempted you to reject me, you did not despise me or turn me away. No, you took me in and cared for me as though I were an angel from God or even Christ Jesus himself." Galatians 4:13‭-‬14 NLT   " The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus." Acts of the Apostles 4:13 NLT   The call to serve in the Lord's vineyard is the highest call to service . It is by his strength that we are able to accomplish anything . Apostle Paul preached in sickness very often. Preachers do suffer health challenges often , but they keep preaching regardless.  The bible says "For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both

    By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi  " and an appointment with Herod was granted. When the day arrived, Herod put on his royal robes, sat on his throne, and made a speech to them. The people gave him a great ovation, shouting, “It’s the voice of a god, not of a man!” Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died." Acts of the Apostles 12:21‭-‬23 NLT     Whatever achievement or height attained in life is often attributed to a person's skills  ,wisdom , intellect and hard work, but critical analysis  proves otherwise.     There are factors such as upbringing, nationality , geographical location  , physiology,  inspiration , health , weather , security, media, community , family , emotions and passions, intelligence quotient ,and their like  that  are contributing factors to a person's success. These are factors controlled by providence . It is

       Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi   Rev.13:16 -17"And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right  hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or  the number of his name."  2John 1:7 'For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist."        The scriptures speaks of a time when the world's governments will unite to form a one-world government ( this is the idea behind digital money) , that shall be presided over by a maximum religious political ruler , he shall be scary to behold (Dan.8:23) and supernaturally endowed by Satan with the ability to perform false miracles,  signs and wonders (Rev.13:4).  The scriptures says in 2Thess 2:9 "Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, " and h

     Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi  Matt 24:40-41 KJV “ Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.”    The word  ‘taken’ is the Greek word  ‘paralambano’ it is a clause from two words ‘para ‘ which means to draw near and ‘lambano’  which means to seize or remove , it means  to receive near to assume an office . The scripture describes an event reminiscent of a Sci-Fi movie, where believers   would literarily be removed from the earth into heaven.  It is likened to the event of  Noah’s era .      The scriptures says  Matt 24:37-39  "When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day.  In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn't realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son

    Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi Mathew 24:21 -22"For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.  And except those days  should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened."                     The word 'tribulation'  is the Greek word 'thlipsis' and it means 'to be put under extreme pressure ,to suffer affliction and be in anguish, burdened, trouble. Bible scholars have been studying the scriptures in other to have an understanding of the events of the end times,  the crisis in the middle east , religious extremism  and the imminent threat of a world war have further reinforced their belief that we are in the end times. The church of Christ shall be at the center of the crisis bothering on the end of the ages. This period shall be characterized by a rebellion against biblical principles and ethics as witnessed in the world's

   Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi Matthew 24:42 AMP "Watch therefore [give strict attention, be cautious and active], for you do not know in what kind of a day [whether a near or remote one] your Lord is coming."                Matthew 24:30-36 gives us a chronological order of the event popularly known as the "rapture" to most Christians marking the beginning of the period of the reign of the Antichrist on earth. It is a period of an oppressive ,totalitarian rule of the earth by Satan through an ungodly religious leader.  The scriptures says "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other...."           In John 14:1-3  Jesus spoke of going to the father that He may cr

  By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi    Matt 27:52-53 KJV “And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.”     The is one of the most extraordinary event that took place after the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after His gruesome murder by the religious cartel of His time. Jesus Christ gave himself to be killed as proof of our salvation and his dominion over death.     The scriptures records that the curtain of the sacred temple was torn from top to bottom (Matt27:51) , something that would require so much strength to do , given the dimension of the veil ( 20 m high, 10 m wide and 10 cm thick ) as thick as the length of your pen. . Nobody was authorized to look beyond the veil except the great high priest who only had access after much oblations were made on his behalf and the worshipers.      This destruction of the veil marked the beginning of a new

   By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi  Romans 8:3 "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:"    1John 3:5' And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.'   Religion has no cure for sin . It places emphasis on acts of  repentance , John the Baptist preached the message of repentance .The Bible says Luke 3:3"  And he came  into all the country about Jordan, preaching the  baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;,'    If you had to travel to a particular mountain to pray before you can be forgiven  your sins and be blessed , what will become of you if you were incapacitated by sickness or injury or you simply could not afford to like the cripple fellow who had no one to help him get into the healing waters in John 5:1-9 .The  demands of religion made it impossible for him to receive the blessing of bein