DEAD IN SIN, ALIVE IN CHRIST

 

Your family shall be far from disaster because of the anointing of God's favour upon you.
Good -Life Devotional: DEAD IN SIN, ALIVE IN CHRIST

By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi
Text: Ephesians 2:1–2
“Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.” — Ephesians 2:1–2
   Paul's description of humanity as “dead” in sin is not a claim that unbelievers are physically lifeless. It describes spiritual separation from God and humanity's inability to restore that broken relationship through human effort alone.
   From an apologetics perspective, this challenges the idea that morality is merely a human invention. Human beings possess a moral awareness, yet repeatedly violate the standards they recognize. We can know what is right and still choose what is wrong. Scripture explains this contradiction through the reality of sin.
   Paul also speaks of “the course of this world” and “the prince of the power of the air.” Christianity therefore presents evil as more than individual wrongdoing. There are spiritual powers opposed to God's purposes. Yet Scripture does not teach that Satan is God's equal. Satan is a created being, while God alone is sovereign Creator.
   The Christian answer to humanity's spiritual condition is not education, philosophy, wealth, religion, or self-improvement alone. It is reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ. The gospel announces that those who were spiritually dead can be made alive by God's grace. Therefore, Christianity is not merely a system of moral advice. It is God's answer to humanity's deepest problem: separation from Him because of sin.
REFLECTION: If sin has separated humanity from God, Christ is not merely an example to admire; He is the Saviour whom sinners need.
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 evil patterns. Lord Jesus, open our understanding, expose the reality of sin, and lead us from spiritual death into the new life found in You. Amen.
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THE WAY OF TRANSGRESSORS IS HARD

 

Your family shall not fall apart but wax stronger in love and overwhelming peace because of the anointing of God's favour upon you.
Good -Life Devotional: THE WAY OF TRANSGRESSORS IS HARD

By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi
“Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.” — Proverbs 13:15 KJV
   A transgressor is one who crosses a forbidden boundary, deliberately departing from God’s righteous ways. Scripture says such a path is hard because rebellion against God eventually produces painful consequences—guilt, broken relationships, confusion, loss of peace, and spiritual emptiness.
   A person may possess material riches and still live a miserable life. Psalm 73 shows that the wicked may prosper outwardly, yet prosperity does not automatically produce peace or fellowship with God. Ecclesiastes 2:26 teaches that God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to the person who pleases Him, while the sinner’s accumulated wealth may eventually be transferred to one who pleases God.
   Jesus described a spiritually compromised condition in Revelation 3:16–17 as lukewarm, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. Sin can make a person wealthy in possessions but impoverished in the soul.
    In contrast, obedience to Christ brings true blessedness. “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them” (Psalm 119:165). Jesus said, “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love… These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:10–11).
   Luke 11:28 says, “Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” The Greek word 'makarios' describes a person who is blessed, fortunate, and genuinely happy in God.
REFLECTION: What areas of the scriptures are you knowingly transgressing, ask the lord to help you obey his word like King prayed in Psalms 119:35 'Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
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.
Lord Jesus, deliver me from every path of rebellion. Give me grace to obey Your Word, walk in wisdom, and enjoy the peace and joy that come from pleasing You. Amen.
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HE WHO HARDENS HIS NECK OFTEN

The curse of failures at the edge of breakthroughs is broken because of the anointing of God's favour upon you.
Good -Life Devotional: HE WHO HARDENS HIS NECK OFTEN
Bible Tests : Proverbs 29:1; Proverbs 13:18
   “He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” — Proverbs 29:1 KJV
   A person who continually rejects correction is travelling a dangerous road. To “harden the neck” means to become stubborn, resistant, and unwilling to listen, even after repeated warnings. God’s correction is not designed to destroy us but to turn us away from destructive paths.
    Proverbs 13:18 declares, “Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.” Refusing instruction can eventually produce consequences that could have been avoided through humility.
   Scripture repeatedly calls us to listen. Proverbs 12:1 says, “Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.” Hebrews 12:11 reminds us that correction may be painful at the moment, but it can produce “the peaceable fruit of righteousness” in those who are trained by it.
   Even King David understood the value of correction: “Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness” (Psalm 141:5). A wise person does not automatically reject correction simply because it is uncomfortable.
   God may correct us through His Word, the Holy Spirit, godly counsel, circumstances, or people He places around us. The question is not whether we will ever be corrected, but whether we will humble ourselves and respond.
REFLECT: Am I repeatedly resisting correction in any area of 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 as Lord and saviour and receive the Holy Spirit and power to affect positive changes in my life .
Lord, give me a humble and teachable heart. Deliver me from stubbornness and pride. Help me to receive correction, obey Your Word, and walk in righteousness. In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.
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DO NOT DESPISE THE CHASTENING OF THE LORD

 

The yoke of the devourer shall be destroyed because of the anointing of God's favour upon you.
Good -Life Devotional: DO NOT DESPISE THE CHASTENING OF THE LORD

By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi
“My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor detest His correction.” — Proverbs 3:11 NKJV
  God’s correction is an expression of His love, not a declaration of His rejection. The word “chastening” carries the idea of discipline, instruction, correction, and training. God does not correct us to destroy us; He corrects us to transform us.
Hebrews 12:5–6 reminds us: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD… For whom the LORD loves He chastens.” A loving father does not allow his child to continue walking toward danger without correction. In the same way, God sometimes uses His Word, the Holy Spirit, godly counsel, circumstances, or even the consequences of our wrong choices to bring us back to the right path.
   To despise God's chastening is to resist correction, become bitter, ignore conviction, or justify our wrong actions. Some people want God's blessings but reject His discipline. They want comfort without correction and promotion without character. But spiritual maturity requires that we allow God to deal with what is wrong in us.
   When God corrects you, do not harden your heart. Ask, “Lord, what are You teaching me? What must I change?” Proverbs 12:1 says, “Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.”
   Remember, God's discipline is designed to produce “the peaceable fruit of righteousness” (Hebrews 12:11).
PRACTICAL FAITH APPLICATION:
  When corrected by Scripture or godly counsel, resist defensiveness. Pray, examine your heart, repent where necessary, and obey what God reveals.
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 learn wisdom .
Father, give me a humble and teachable heart. Help me never to despise Your correction. When You discipline me, let me respond with repentance, obedience, and faith, so that my life may produce the fruit of righteousness. In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.
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LET THE RIGHTEOUS SMITE ME

 

The plan of the destroyer against your family shall fail because of the anointing of God's favour upon you.
Good -Life Devotional: LET THE RIGHTEOUS SMITE ME

By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi
“Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil.” — Psalm 141:5 KJV
  Correction is not always rejection; sometimes, it is love wearing a difficult face. David prayed that when a righteous person corrected him, he would receive it as kindness rather than an insult.
   To “smite” in this context does not mean physical violence. It speaks of a loving rebuke, honest counsel, or sharp correction intended to turn someone away from error. A person who truly loves you will not always tell you what you want to hear. Sometimes, the greatest kindness is telling you the truth that you would rather avoid.
    David compared such correction to “excellent oil.” In biblical times, oil was associated with honour, refreshment, healing, and hospitality. In the same way, godly correction may initially hurt our pride, but it can ultimately refresh our character, restore our direction, and protect our destiny.
   Proverbs 27:6 says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” Flattery can make us comfortable while error destroys us, but faithful correction can save us from consequences we cannot yet see.
    A humble heart does not despise correction. Proverbs 9:9 says, “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser.” The wise person asks, “What can I learn from this?” rather than, “Who are you to correct me?”
REFLECT: Can you receive correction from a godly person without becoming defensive? Is there someone whose honest counsel you have rejected because it wounded your pride?
In our daily prayers we should seek a healthy appetite for God's word a humble heart that is open to correction.
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 destructive pride.  Lord, give me a humble and teachable heart. Help me recognize godly correction as an expression of love. Deliver me from pride, defensiveness, and destructive flattery. Make me wiser through righteous counsel, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
+2348035536911 email michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com
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LOVE FOR ALL BELIEVERS — EVIDENCE OF FAITH IN CHRIST

 

What was meant for your demotion shall become a platform for your promotion because of the anointing of God's favour upon you.
Good -Life Devotional:
LOVE FOR ALL BELIEVERS — EVIDENCE OF FAITH IN CHRIST

By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi
  “For this reason I too, having heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people…” — Ephesians 1:15
    Paul rejoiced that the Ephesians’ faith in Jesus Christ was accompanied by their love for all the saints. Likewise, Colossians 1:4 says, “Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love which you have for all the saints.” Their love was visible evidence that their faith was genuine.
   We are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9), but genuine faith does not remain alone. Faith expresses itself through love (Galatians 5:6). Therefore, love for Christ must produce love for His people. A person cannot genuinely claim to love the Head while deliberately hating His body, the Church. Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). They loved fellowship with the brethren . Sinners hate attending church meetings (Isaiah 26:10,  1John2:19)
  John makes it even stronger: “The one who does not love his brother remains in spiritual death” (1 John 3:14). And 1 John 4:20 asks how someone can claim to love God while hating his brother.
    Jude warns that “mockers” would arise among God’s people (Jude 17–19). The Greek word is ἐμπαῖκται (empaiktai), meaning mockers, scoffers, or those who ridicule sacred things, they have no respect for preachers , grumble and laugh at them . They are described as “worldly people”—Greek ψυχικοί (psychikoi), meaning soulish, natural, or governed by merely human desires rather than the Holy Spirit. Jude says they are “devoid of the Spirit.”
PRACTICAL FAITH APPLICATION
+Love believers intentionally:  Forgive quickly, serve humbly, encourage the weak, and pray for the Church. Love does not save us instead of faith; rather, love demonstrates that our faith is alive (James 2:17–18).
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 love those that hurt me. Lord Jesus, fill me with Your love for Your people. Let my faith be demonstrated by genuine love, forgiveness, service, and unity. Amen.
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CREATION IS NOT GOD’S MASTER, GOD IS MASTER OVER CREATION

The anointing of God's favour is giving you beauty for ashes for the losses you have suffered.
Good -Life Devotional: CREATION IS NOT GOD’S MASTER, GOD IS MASTER OVER CREATION

By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi
Scripture: “He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers.” — Nahum 1:4
   Creation is not God's master; God is Master over creation. The sea, rivers, mountains, winds and every force of nature are subject to the authority of their Creator. Nahum 1:4 declares that God can rebuke the sea and dry up the rivers. Isaiah 44:27 similarly records God's command to the deep: “Be dry.” This will occur in regions where the seas and rivers are worshipped.
   But the New Testament reveals something even more profound: Jesus Christ exercises authority over creation. When Jesus was in the boat with His disciples, a great storm arose. He “rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm” (Mark 4:39). The disciples responded, “What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him!” (Mark 4:41).
   Christ's authority over the sea reveals His divine authority as the Son of God. John 1:3 declares, “All things were made by him.” Colossians 1:16 likewise teaches that all things were created through Him and for Him. The One through whom creation came into existence is Lord over creation.
   Jesus Christ dwells inside of you right now if you are born again ( 1 Corinthians 3:16 , Colossians 1:27 ) When your circumstances look as overwhelming as a raging sea, remember who Jesus is. The storm may be greater than your strength, but it is never greater than His authority.
PRACTICAL FAITH APPLICATIONS
1. Trust Christ in overwhelming circumstances.
  When life feels like a raging storm, do not allow fear to become greater than your faith. Bring the situation to Jesus and remember that the storm is under His authority.
2. Pray with confidence in Christ's authority.
Prayer is not merely wishing for circumstances to change. We approach the One who has authority over what we cannot control. Pray boldly, while submitting to His will.
3. Stop worshipping what God created.
Do not allow money, possessions, nature, people, systems or circumstances to become the source of your security. Creation is a servant; Christ alone is Lord.
4. Obey Christ even when you cannot see the outcome.
The disciples had to trust Jesus while the storm was still raging. Faith means obeying His word even before circumstances become calm.
5. Speak faith instead of surrendering to fear.
Your words should agree with God's truth. Instead of declaring, “This situation is impossible,” declare, “Nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37).
6. Remember that Christ has the final authority.
People may have authority, circumstances may have influence, and the world may appear chaotic, but Jesus Christ remains Lord. Therefore, your hope does not depend on circumstances being favorable; it depends on Christ being sovereign.
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 the evil one .
Lord Jesus, help me recognize Your authority over every storm and circumstance. Teach me to trust You when life becomes overwhelming. Give me faith to pray boldly, obey Your Word, reject fear, and rest in Your sovereignty. Let Your peace rule in my heart, and let Your authority bring order where there is confusion. Amen.
POWER POINT:
The sea obeys Christ; therefore, no storm in your life is beyond His authority.
+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