NOT WALKING AFTER THE FLESH

 

The plans of the wicked against you shall backfire upon them because of the anointing of God's favour upon you.
Good -Life Devotional: NOT WALKING AFTER THE FLESH

By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi
   Romans 8:6 declares that to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Walking after the flesh gradually weakens our fellowship with God and hinders us from fulfilling His purposes.    Galatians 6:7–8 warns that whatever a person sows, that person will reap.    Sowing to the flesh produces corruption, while sowing to the Spirit produces everlasting life.
   How, then, can we overcome the flesh? We must renew our minds through God's Word, maintain a consistent prayer life, obey the Holy Spirit, and fellowship with believers who encourage righteous living. We cannot please God while deliberately allowing sinful desires to rule us, because the carnal mind is hostile to Him (Romans 8:7–8).
PRACTICAL FAITH APPLICATIONS
+Examine your attitudes and reject every sinful desire.
+Submit your decisions to God's Word and the Holy Spirit.
+Practise forgiveness, humility, holiness, and self-control.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father forgive me of my sins against you I believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation I receive Him as Lord and saviour and receive the Holy Spirit and power to resist evil . Heavenly Father, help me to overcome fleshly desires. Renew my mind through Your Word and empower me by Your Holy Spirit to walk in righteousness and fulfil Your perfect will, in Jesus' name. Amen.
+2348035536911 email michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com
Listen to Good-Life with Rev Michael on internet radio download Radio Nigeria app and search for Port Harcourt Garden city radio 89.9 FM  by 5:45 pm 1+GMT on Tuesdays

WALKING IN THE NEWNESS OF LIFE

 Your family is under the covenant of divine preservation because of the anointing of God's favour upon you.

Good -Life Devotional: WALKING IN THE NEWNESS OF LIFE

Bible Text: Romans 6:1–11; 2 Corinthians 5:17

 “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” — Romans 6:4 (KJV)

   Newness of life is one of the greatest evidences of salvation. When a person receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, Christianity is not merely a change of religion, church membership, or religious vocabulary. It is a transformation from the inside out. Paul declares, “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Romans 6:4 explains that through baptism, we identify with Christ's death and resurrection. His death represents the end of our old life under the dominion of sin, while His resurrection represents our entrance into a transformed life. Romans 6:6 says that our old man was crucified with Christ so that we should no longer be slaves to sin.

  Therefore, the believer must not continue deliberately living according to the patterns of the former life. Galatians 2:20 declares, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” The new life must increasingly reflect Christ.

   Ephesians 4:22–24 teaches us to put off the former conduct, be renewed in the spirit of our minds, and put on the new man, created in righteousness and true holiness. Colossians 3:12–14 further calls us to demonstrate compassion, kindness, humility, patience, forgiveness, and above all, love.

   Walking in newness of life means allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our thoughts, attitudes, speech, relationships, choices, and conduct. We do not claim perfection by the world's standards, but we must demonstrate spiritual progress and a genuine desire to please God.

REFLECTION: Is your daily conduct reflecting the new life you have received in Christ?

PRAYER: Heavenly Father forgive me of my sins against you I believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation I receive Him as Lord and saviour and receive the Holy Spirit and power to overcome sin. Lord Jesus, help me to continually put away the old life and walk in the newness of life. Renew my mind and make my character increasingly reflect You. Amen.

PRACTICAL FAITH APPLICATION: Each day, surrender your thoughts, words, and actions to Christ, and deliberately choose righteousness over the patterns of your former life.

+2348035536911 email michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com 

Listen to Good-Life with Rev Michael on internet radio download Radio Nigeria app and search for Port Harcourt Garden city radio 89.9 FM  by 5:45 pm 1+GMT on Tuesdays

PROVING THE PERFECT WILL OF GOD

 You are being brought to a place of greater relevance because of the anointing of God's favour upon you. .

Good -Life Devotional:  PROVING THE PERFECT WILL OF GOD

By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi 

 Text: Romans 12:1–2 (AMP)

    Presenting our bodies to God as a living sacrifice is not a one-time religious activity. It is a daily decision to allow God to govern our thoughts, attitudes, words, relationships and actions. Romans 12:2 teaches that when our minds are renewed, we are able to “prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

   The Greek word latreia, translated “service,” speaks of sacred service or worship rendered to God. True worship therefore extends beyond what happens inside a church building. Our bodies, careers, finances, relationships, conversations and private decisions can all become expressions of our worship.

   Jesus' teaching in Mark 7:21–23 reminds us that outward religion cannot substitute for inward transformation. Evil proceeds from the human heart. Consequently, we must continually expose our minds to God's truth. Meditation on Scripture changes our thinking; prayer keeps us dependent upon God; fasting helps us discipline our desires; and fellowship with God's people encourages us toward love and good works (Hebrews 10:24–25).

   When the mind is renewed, the believer begins to recognize God's will and reject what contradicts His purpose. James 1:22 says we must be doers of the Word, not hearers only.

Your reasonable service is therefore a life surrendered to God's authority—not merely knowing His will, but doing it.

REFLECTION:

  Does my daily lifestyle demonstrate that my body, mind and decisions belong to God?

PRAYER: Heavenly Father forgive me of my sins against you I believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation I receive him as lord and saviour and receive the Holy Spirit and power to overcome temptation.

Father, continually renew my mind through Your Word. Give me grace to reject worldly patterns, overcome sinful desires and obey Your perfect will. Let my entire life become acceptable worship before You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Additional Scriptures: Psalm 1:1–3; Joshua 1:8; John 4:23–24; Hebrews 12:1–2; James 1:22; 1 Peter 1:15–16.

+2348035536911 email michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com 

Listen to Good-Life with Rev Michael on internet radio download Radio Nigeria app and search for Port Harcourt Garden city radio 89.9 FM  by 5:45 pm 1+GMT on Tuesdays

YOUR REASONABLE SERVICE TO GOD

Your family shall be very far from disaster because of the anointing of God's favour upon you.
Good -Life Devotional: YOUR REASONABLE SERVICE TO GOD

By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi
Bible Text: Romans 12:1–2 (AMP)
   Paul appeals to believers to present their bodies to God as “a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.” Our service to God is therefore not merely attending church, singing, preaching, or giving offerings. It begins with surrendering our entire lives to Him.
  The Greek word translated “service” in Romans 12:1 is latreia (λατρεία), meaning service, worship, sacred service, or the performance of duties rendered to God. It describes devoted service offered to God because we belong to Him.
   In Mark 7:20–23, Jesus teaches that what defiles a person comes from within—the heart. He mentions evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, deceit, pride and foolishness. Therefore, presenting our bodies to God requires more than outward religious appearance; our hearts and minds must be transformed.
   Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed and progressively changed by the renewing of your mind.” This renewal takes place as we continually meditate on God's Word, pray, fast, and fellowship with God's people.
  A renewed mind produces a surrendered body and an obedient life.
REFLECTION:
What is presently controlling my thoughts, desires and decisions—God's Word or the patterns of this world?
PRAYER: Heavenly Father forgive me of my sins against you I believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation I receive him as lord and saviour and receive the Holy Spirit and power to live in holiness .
Lord, cleanse my heart and renew my mind through Your Word. Help me present my body, thoughts and desires as a living sacrifice that is pleasing to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Additional Scriptures: Psalm 119:11; Philippians 4:8; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; Colossians 3:1–10.
+2348035536911 email michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com
Listen to Good-Life with Rev Michael on internet radio download Radio Nigeria app and search for Port Harcourt Garden city radio 89.9 FM  by 5:45 pm 1+GMT on Tuesdays

I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOU

 

You shall not fall into the temptation that leads to poverty because of the anointing of God's favour upon you.
Good -Life Devotional:  I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOU

By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi
Bible Text: 2 Corinthians 7:16; 8:22
Memory Verse: “Therefore I rejoice that I have confidence in you in everything.” — 2 Corinthians 7:16 (AMP)
    The Greek word translated “confidence” in 2 Corinthians 7:16 is related to πέποιθα (pepoitha), from peithō (G3982), meaning to be persuaded, convinced, trusting, or confident. Paul was persuaded that the Corinthians could respond positively to correction and demonstrate genuine spiritual progress.
   This is remarkable because the Corinthian church had serious problems. There was sexual immorality involving a man and his stepmother (1 Corinthians 5:1), carnality and divisions (1 Corinthians 3:1–4), favoritism and personality-based divisions, and selfishness concerning financial participation in the work of ministry (2 Corinthians 8:10–12). Yet Paul did not abandon them. He taught them, rebuked them, corrected them, and trusted God to transform them.
    God may also be saying through His servants: “I have confidence in you.” His confidence does not mean that you have never failed; it means He sees what His grace can produce when you receive correction and walk in obedience.
    Proverbs 27:17 reminds us that iron sharpens iron. Hebrews 12:11 teaches that divine discipline eventually produces the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Philippians 1:6 assures us that God will complete the good work He has begun in us.
REFLECTION
Am I willing to receive godly correction and allow it to produce spiritual maturity in me?
PRAYER: Heavenly Father forgive me of my sins against you I believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation I receive the Holy Spirit and power to overcome selfishness.
Father, thank You for believing in what Your grace can produce in me. Give me a humble heart that receives correction, abandons sin, and grows in obedience. Make me trustworthy in character, relationships, stewardship, and ministry. Let my life become evidence that Your grace transforms people. In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.
+2348035536911 email michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com
Listen to Good-Life with Rev Michael on internet radio download Radio Nigeria app and search for Port Harcourt Garden city radio 89.9 FM  by 5:45 pm 1+GMT on Tuesdays

THE LIGHT OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE GLORY OF GOD

 

The miraculous shall be common with you because of the anointing of God's favour upon you.
Good -Life Devotional: THE LIGHT OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE GLORY OF GOD

Bible Text:  “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give us the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” — 2 Corinthians 4:6 (AMP)
   Paul declares, “We preach Christ Jesus as Lord.” This statement establishes the heart of Christian apologetics: Christianity is not ultimately about defending a religious system, philosophy, or moral code—it is about proclaiming Jesus Christ.
   The God who commanded physical light to shine into the darkness at creation also shines spiritual light into human hearts. This light gives us knowledge of God's glory, and Paul says that this glory is revealed “in the face of Jesus Christ.”
    Jesus is therefore central to the Christian worldview. Creation points to an intelligent Creator; human reason reflects the rationality of God; objective morality finds its foundation in God's character; and human dignity is grounded in humanity being made in God's image. Yet these truths find their fullest revelation in Christ.
   Jesus is not merely a good teacher or moral example. John presents Him as the eternal Word who was with God and was God (John 1:1). Hebrews declares Him to be the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His nature (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus Himself said, “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).
   Therefore, apologetics must lead beyond arguments to Christ. We defend Christianity because Christ is true, His resurrection is foundational, and His salvation transforms lives.
Practical Faith Application: Let every argument you make for Christianity ultimately point people to Jesus. Do not merely win debates; help people encounter the Light of the knowledge of God's glory in Christ.
PRAYER : Heavenly Father forgive me of my sins against you I believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation I receive him as lord and saviour and receive the Holy Spirit and power to work miracles.
+2348035536911 email michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com
Listen to Good-Life with Rev Michael on internet radio download Radio Nigeria app and search for Port Harcourt Garden city radio 89.9 FM  by 5:45 pm 1+GMT on Tuesdays

HELP ME TO OBEY YOUR COMMANDMENTS (Part Two:)

 You shall be celebrated where you were humiliated because of the anointing of God's favour upon you.

Good -Life Devotional:  HELP ME TO OBEY YOUR COMMANDMENTS (Part Two:)

+ The Humility to Receive Godly Correction+

Rev Michael Benson Ajayi 

Texts: Psalm 141:4–5; Romans 7:14–25

   David understood that spiritual growth requires more than personal determination. He prayed:

“Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil… Let a righteous person strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head.” — Psalm 141:4–5

   This is a remarkable prayer. David was asking God to protect his heart from evil while also giving him the humility to receive correction from righteous people.

    Godly mentorship is one of God’s instruments for helping believers remain on the path of obedience. Proverbs 27:5–6 says that open rebuke can be better than concealed love, while Proverbs 12:1 teaches that loving discipline is evidence of wisdom. Hebrews 12:5–11 likewise presents divine discipline as an expression of God’s fatherly love.

   David knew that human beings have limitations. Paul openly described this conflict in Romans 7:14–25: he desired what was good but experienced another principle working against that desire. The answer was not pride, denial, or independence, but dependence upon Christ: “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25).

Therefore, receiving correction is not a sign of spiritual weakness. Sometimes correction is the very means God uses to prevent us from falling.

    Proverbs 9:9 says, “Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser.” And Galatians 6:1 instructs spiritual believers to restore someone caught in sin with gentleness.

REFLECTION

  Do I welcome correction from godly people, or do I become defensive when my conduct is challenged? Who has permission to speak truth into my life?

PRAYER: Heavenly Father forgive me of my sins against you I believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation I receive him Lord and saviour and receive the Holy Spirit and power to overcome pride .

 Lord Jesus, keep my heart from evil. Give me humble and godly mentors who will correct me in love. Deliver me from pride and stubbornness, and give me grace to receive correction and continue growing in obedience. Amen.

+2348035536911 email michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com 

Listen to Good-Life with Rev Michael on internet radio download Radio Nigeria app and search for Port Harcourt Garden city radio 89.9 FM  by 5:45 pm 1+GMT on Tuesdays