ojaysjoel blog

Scripture focus:    “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5–6). KJV  Devotion: Every relationship thrives on trust—whether in business, family, friendship, or love. Trust is the foundation upon which all human interactions rest. When you take your car to a mechanic, you place confidence in his skill and honesty. When you sit in the dentist’s chair, you trust in their ability to care for you. Even in online trading, trust is essential: you pay in advance believing the seller will deliver, or you hand money to the delivery agent trusting it will reach the rightful company.     We live daily by trust, often with people we have never met. Yet, many struggle to place their trust in Jesus Christ—the One who is perfectly faithful. Scripture reminds us: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways ...

Scripture focus:  “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not” (John 1:11) KJV  Devotion: Christianity began in biblical Israel, yet many of the people of Israel did not accept Jesus as the Messiah. The Scriptures testify that “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not” (John 1:11). The rejection of Jesus by the religious leaders of His time led to His crucifixion (Matthew 27:22–25). Even today, many in Israel do not embrace Him as Lord and Savior.     Yet, across Africa and the West, countless believers call upon the name of Jesus and experience the fulfillment of His promise: “If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it” (John 14:14). Personally, whenever I pray sincerely in His name, God answers, and His teachings bring comfort, guidance, and strength to live righteously. This is the essence of a glorious life in Christ. The Power of Belief in Christ:  If Israel had accepted Jesus as the Messiah, peace might have reigned among its...

Scripture focus:  And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. ( Mark 16:6 KJV) Devotion: Jesus Christ came into the world, lived among men, and gave His life on the cross. “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God” (1 Peter 3:18). But death could not hold Him, for “He is not here; He has risen, just as He said” (Matthew 28:6). His resurrection became the turning point of history, for without it the gospel would have remained confined to Nazareth. Instead, after His ascension, the disciples were scattered, and “they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs” (Mark 16:20).     Jesus Himself explained this mystery: “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain” (John 1...

Scripture focus:    “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it” (Matthew 16:25).    I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1) Devotion: On Good Friday, Christians all over the world remember the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He willingly endured suffering and death on the cross so that those who believe in Him might be saved from eternal damnation. His sacrifice was not partial, but total—an act of complete obedience to the will of God.     The Bible calls us to follow this example by becoming “living sacrifices” (Romans 12:1). This means living in total obedience to God’s Word, setting aside the desires of the flesh, and choosing to do only what pleases Him. Unfortunately, many Christians today are reluctant to embrace this call. Instead of surren...

Scripture focus:   “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” — Matthew 5:45 (NIV)   “He provides rain for the earth; he sends water on the countryside.” — Job 5:10 (NIV) Devotion: When the rains arrive, they remind us of the boundless love of God. Scripture tells us that “He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45). Rain is not selective; it falls on all people, replenishing the earth, nourishing crops, refreshing animals, and bringing comfort to humanity. This is a picture of God’s unusual goodness — He blesses even those who do not acknowledge Him, because His mercy is greater than our failings.   The rain teaches us a lesson about how we should treat others. If God can extend kindness to both the good and the evil, then we too must learn to be considerate in our dealings with people, regardless of who they are. Judgment ...

In John 6:11, we see Jesus take the five loaves and two fish, and before distributing them, He gave thanks. This moment is powerful because it shows us that gratitude comes before the miracle. Jesus did not focus on the insufficiency of the food; instead, He acknowledged God as the source and trusted Him to provide. By giving thanks, He demonstrated faith that God could turn little into much. This example challenges us in our own lives. When faced with situations that seem impossible, do we grumble and complain, or do we pause to thank God? Often, our human instinct is to calculate, strategize, or even manipulate circumstances to make things work. But Jesus teaches us that thanksgiving is the key to unlocking divine provision. As Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Gratitude is not just a response to what God has already done; it is an act of faith in what ...