Good-life Daily Devotional

  By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi  "So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own."Luke 14:33 NLT “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field. “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it! Matthew 13:44‭-‬46 NLT     Discipleship requires the  total dedication of oneself to the cause of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ and it comes with a price. It is likened to the business of treasure hunting requiring the sale of a less valuable item for a most valuable one. The job of a disciple is likened to that of a jeweler. It is highly priced. A thing of great honour .      Discipleship requires placing the assignment above every other calling . Jesus Christ said " So you cannot become my disciple

By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi  “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." Matthew 6:24 NKJV “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.  If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. John 15:9‭-‬10 NKJV  A dedicated follower of Jesus Christ is known as a disciple , this should be the ultimate goal in soul winning . God does not  want our churches full of members but with disciples . These persons are world changers driven by a passion to establish God's kingdom on earth . Disciples are followers of the teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ said " For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you." John 13:15 NKJV     A disciple must love the lord above all others . Jesus Christ said " He who loves father or m

By Pst Michael Benson Ajayi    Mark 9:39-41 NKJV  “But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is on our side.”          While on a mission trip, the first disciples observed an unknown man casting out demons in the name of Jesus. They were amazed and attempted to put an end to the activities of this presumed unorthodox preacher.They reported the incident to Jesus saying “Teacher, we saw someone who  does not follow us  casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him  because he does not follow us .” Mark 9:38 NKJV  To their chagrin and disdain, Jesus commended the work of this missionary thus demonstrating that He was more concerned about the fulfillment of the will of the father on earth, than the upholding of religious tenets .It was also  proof that God is not a member of any religious organization .True Christianity is not a religion nor a movement but an extension of God&#

  By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi  " But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of  it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.” Then Peter said to her, “How is

By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi  "While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the believers : “Unless you are circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.” Paul and Barnabas disagreed with them, arguing vehemently. Finally, the church decided to send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, accompanied by some local believers, to talk to the apostles and elders about this question."Acts of the Apostles 15:1‭-‬2 NLT    The believer in Jesus Christ is an embodiment of the righteousness of God. The scriptures describes the Christian as a living epistle . The scriptures say  2Cor 3:3 "Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart."     The epistles are about God's righteousness, his peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Whenever the gospel is challenged,

By Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi  "Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are." Proverbs 26:4 NLT  " Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing." 1 Peter 3:9 NLT    The believer in Jesus Christ is described as a peacemaker ,the Bible says we should pursue after peace . We are called into the ministry of reconciliation. The church is expected to be a  promoter of peace .     The world is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God. Those who are led by the spirit of God are sons of God. Peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and they who a led by the Holy Spirit bring peace along with them.      Strife hinders peace and God's people are to avoid getting involved with strife as much as possible . The bible says " Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop be

By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi  "Lord , if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive?" Psalms 130:3 NLTBible  "Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin”? Proverbs 20:9 NLT   Self-righteousness is when a person thinks in himself or herself  that he or she is good or righteous . But the Bible says we are not as good as we think . Self-righteousness is synonymous with the proud a person has fallen from grace .      True righteousness is only attained by faith in God. The scriptures says  "In the same way, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”Galatians 3:6 NLT  Righteousness is not a title a person can achieve by any personal effort . It is not a personal status , the scriptures says " and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends

  By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi  'Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT   " And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:20 NLTBible      The Bible teaches that troubles are part of life (Psalm 34:19) and following the path of righteousness comes with strong opposition . Regardless of the believer's situation, the scriptures says all things would eventually work out for our good (Rom.8:28) He will not allow us to be tempted beyond our strength . God has anointed you for whatever  challenges you are faced with and will not abandon you .      We should be content with whatever situation we are in . The scriptures says " Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”Hebrews 13:5 NLT Love for money results in depression , murmuring , rebellion , fear  and spir

By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi  " Soon the people began to complain about their hardship, and the Lord heard everything they said. Then the Lord ’s anger blazed against them, and he sent a fire to rage among them, and he destroyed some of the people in the outskirts of the camp."Numbers 11:1 NLT  " " And don’t grumble as some of them did, and then were destroyed by the angel of death." 1 Corinthians 10:10 NLTBible     To murmur means to make a low toned continuous background sound . The key word is 'continuous' . God is not angry over complaining about a thing once or twice but when it becomes ten , twenty times until it becomes a daily routine then it becomes harmful to you and those around you.      Murmuring is the opposite of gratitude . It is a lack of gratitude of what God has given us Num21:4:5, Num11:4-6,18 it is a manifestation of self-righteously judging others ( Matt14:4-10) Jesus Christ was against the false religious leaders for their constant

  By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi  "The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads.'Psalms 145:14 NLTBible  "Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand."Psalms 37:24 NLTBible      The Lord loves you and has made provisions for you . Despite his discipline , he  never abandons the righteous but comes to their rescue.  The scriptures says " Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." Isaiah 41:10 NLTBible   The righteous will be faced with troubles because of our belief and in each situation the Lord  comes to our help . The bible says " The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed." Psalms 34:17‭-‬18 NLT     The Lord never loses sight of the rig

Rev Michael Benson Ajayi  "Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong."Psalms 37:1 NLT "But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else."Psalms 73:2‭-‬5 NLTBible     The lives of the proud from onlookers  seems peaceful and prosperous .The psalmist thought he was missing out on the good things of life. This is the reason behind the lukewarm  attitudes towards prayers , studying God's word and participation in church meetings by many believers . The proud  would have us believe they breathe in a different brand of oxygen and theirs is better. This is a sign of inferiority complex . For all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory (standards) it is this shortfal

 Rev Michael Benson Ajayi  “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you.  For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”  Matthew 18:19‭-‬20 NLTBible    There are situations where one needs to pray with others before a breakthrough can be achieved . Job's friends were instructed by the lord to give their offerings to Job who prayed for them . They were arrogant and presumptuous and portrayed a "holier than you " attitude towards Job during the latter's travail. They frustrated job by their judgemental counsel. They needed Job's forgiveness and his prayers to overcome pride and receive restoration  (Job 42:1-10)    Whenever the lord rebukes us of our pride it is best to ask a mature believer to pray for us to overcome pride . Our breakthroughs are  connected to this act of humility . The bible says " Confess your sins to each other and pray for each

 Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi  " Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!" Romans 12:16 NLT   "Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters." 1 Timothy 5:1‭-‬2 NLT  1) COURTEOUS: The spirit of Jesus Christ in the born again Christian is  meek and seeks to serve. Jesus Christ said 'I came to serve and not to be served'. The believer respects elders, treats women as princesses and queens and men as kings and princes and priests in the house of God .God's people are described as kings and priests  Rev.1:6 says " And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.' Everyone deserves resp

By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi  " So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven." Matthew 18:4 NLTBible   And Samuel told him, “Although you may think little of yourself, are you not the leader of the tribes of Israel? The Lord has anointed you king of Israel."1 Samuel 15:17 NLTBible      King Saul was anointed Israel's first king by an act of grace, he did not merit it in any way . He was of the smallest tribe and least recognized family . He saw himself as unqualified for the exalted office until pride was found in his heart and he was removed from circulation and replaced with a little known David      God uses the least likely of persons to do the extraordinary. The bible says " God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all

By Rev Michael Benson.    "You will be driven from human society. You will live in the fields with the wild animals, and you will eat grass like a cow. Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses.’ Daniel 4:32 NLTBible   What was the crime of this king , the Bible says    "As he looked out across the city, he said,  ‘Look at this great city of Babylon! By my own mighty power, I have built this beautiful city as my royal residence to display my majestic splendor.’  Daniel 4:30 NLT This man began to ascribe glory to himself. He taught he was responsible for the air he breaths, the ability to keep his heart beating twenty hours a day , he thought he was responsible for the brain cells and molecules which generate the energy for human intelligence . He thought he was the one who determined the family and nation he came from that made those projects possible. He

  By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi  " Jesus also taught: “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces.  And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets."Mark 12:38‭-‬39 NLTBible     Persons who grew under oppressive guardians or parents experience an emotional injury that results in an unhealthy desire to be honoured in their adulthood. If untreated it will result in broken homes and inability to keep a relationship. These person like to be in churches were they would be worshiped and praised regularly. It is symptomatic of a low self esteem.     Many religious leaders especially in Africa desire worship by members and these members are conditioned psychologically to desire honour . It is one of the reasons behind oppression by leadership,crave for academic certificates amongst Nigerians even if they are not in use. Many will testi

By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi  "And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country.  And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.  And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.  And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost." Acts 12:20‭-‬23 KJV      Happiness is a word used interchangeably with joy in the scriptures and true joy is a gift of the Holy Spirit and is given to those who obey God.      In acts 12 king Herod  was struck by an Angel because of pride , he took the glory that was meant for God only . Some  reasons for pride includes intellectual achievements ( 1 Tim6:3-4, Eve demonstrated pride while se

  By Rev Micheal Benson Ajayi   "I look for someone to come and help me, but no one gives me a passing thought! No one will help me; no one cares a bit what happens to me. Then I pray to you, O Lord . I say, “You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life. " Psalms 142:4‭-‬5 NLT     Good relationships are to be treasured as long as they last. Relationships will be tested and often times the crisis in our relationships may not be caused by us . Therefore, it improper to always blame your self whenever a relationship fails leading to your being abandoned.  Adam and Eve teamed up against God . Was God at fault for giving man so much freedom and resources. Was God to blame . No. This should tell you that your best effort at demonstrating love will be rejected and treated worthless by someone you love.      Do not always blame yourself for someone's choice to reject you. You may not be meant to be together . Jesus Christ was abandoned by all  of his disciples .

  By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi 'The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust." Psalms 103:13‭-‬14 NLTBible    " Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed." Isaiah 53:4‭-‬5 NLTBible    The scriptures in Isaiah 53 gives us a picture of what Jesus Christ had to go through to justify our emancipation from the forces that were against us . He liberated us through a vicarious atonement as a demonstration of his love for us       He knows exactly what you are going through and has great plans for you. The scriptures says "Then the Lord told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people ... I have heard

      By Rev Michael Benson      "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NLTBible    The word 'overcome' is the Greek word 'nikaō ' it  means to conquer , carry off the victory, come off victorious . It means Jesus Christ is victorious over all His foes and the same goes for the  believers  that hold fast their faith even unto death against the power of their foes,  and temptations and persecutions.  The devil constantly  accuses the believer and seeks for legal grounds to posses the souls of his victims . Through Jesus Christ -our great advocate- we have won the case and can now maintain our course in line with the fulfilment of our purpose in life .      With this understanding the spirit of the believer cannot be summoned by any voodoo , magician or enchanter. We have the backing of heaven and the Spirit of the risen Christ dwe

  By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi     "Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!" 1 Peter 4:13‭, ‬16 NLTBible     Suffering is part of the human life experience more so if you have chosen the part of righteousness. The born again believer is seen as an easy prey by the wicked given the peaceful disposition of the Christian towards life.     The believer is likened to water and gold ; one of the processes of purification of these elements is by fire. Fire does not burn gold and water. The hotter the fire the purer the gold and also the higher its value . It is a win win situation for the believer.     It is with this understanding that Job said " Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him...."Job 13:15 NKJVBible  and Paul sa

     “The wicked writhe in pain throughout their lives. Years of trouble are stored up for the ruthless." Job 15:20 NLT   All of the sufferings on earth are man-made as a result of the wickedness and selfishness of man. Suffering is facilitated by the devil and his demons. The wicked gets their inspiration from Satan while the godly from God.     Suffering turns the righteous towards God as they seek for his help . Some of the wicked  become more wicked during hard times . The bible says " Lord , you are searching for honesty. You struck your people, but they paid no attention. You crushed them, but they refused to be corrected. They are determined, with faces set like stone; they have refused to repent ".Jeremiah 5:3 NLT      Instead of seeking for repentance and deliverance ,the truly wicked would rather chose to curse God the more . The Bible says  "They will go from one place to another, weary and hungry. And because they are hungry, they will rage and curse the

 By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi  Now the king of Sodom said to Abram, “give me the persons, and take the goods for you  yourself  But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the Lord , God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, that I will  take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich’—Genesis 14:21‭-‬23 NKJVBible  " Favour is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord , she shall be praised." Proverbs 31:30 NKJVBible  The word  'favour' in this text is the Hebrew  word 'chên ' and it means , grace, charm favour, grace, elegance favour, acceptance , kindness .     In Genesis 14 Abraham was offered part of the spoils of war  by the king of Sodom but he understand the implications behind  receiving such a gift and gladly rejected the offer.      The concept that a person receives lots of gifts and is being celebrated in th