ojaysjoel blog

Scripture Focus: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” — Matthew 5:7   Who Receives God’s Mercy God’s mercy flows to those who humble themselves before Him. The proud resist His grace, but the brokenhearted, the repentant, and those who acknowledge their need for Him are the ones who receive His mercy. David cried, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love” (Psalm 51:1), and God answered because his heart was contrite. How to Seek God’s Mercy - Confession: Admit your sins openly before God. Mercy begins where pride ends.   - Repentance: Turn away from sin and walk in obedience. Mercy is not a license to continue in wrongdoing but a gift that empowers transformation.   - Prayer: Call upon God sincerely. The tax collector in Luke 18 simply prayed, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner,” and he went home justified.   - Show Mercy: Extend forgiveness and compassion to others. As Jesus taught, those who show mercy will t...

Scripture focus: Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.  Psalms 104:1  KJV  Devotion: I again bless the Lord for great things He has done and will continue to do.  Sing along with me.  CAC HYMN 93 - TO GOD BE THE GLORY, GREAT THINGS HE HATH DONE TO GOD BE THE GLORY 11.11.11.11. and Ref.  Give unto the Lord the glory. - Ps. 29:2 1. To God be the glory, great things He hath done, So loved He the world that He gave us His Son, Who yielded His life an atonement for sin, And open'd the Life Gate that all may go in. CHORUS: Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the earth hear His voice! Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the people rejoice! O come to the Father, through; Jesus the Son; And give Him the glory! Great things, He hath done! 2. O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood; To every believer the promise of God; The vilest offender who truly believes, That moment from Jesus a pardon rec...

Scripture Focus:   “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” — Psalms 100:4   Reflection:   There is a Yorùbá adage that says, “Ẹni tó dúpẹ́, ó gba míràn” — “A thankful soul receives another.” Gratitude is not just a polite response; it is a spiritual key that unlocks more blessings. When we pause to say thank you to God, even without a specific reason, we acknowledge His goodness and invite His continued favor.      This morning, my heart is overflowing with thanksgiving. No particular event triggered it — just the deep awareness that God is worthy of praise. Sometimes, the purest worship is simply waking up and whispering, “Thank You, Lord.”   Call to Action:   I invite you, dear reader, to join me in this chorus of gratitude. Let us sing together, not because everything is perfect, but because God is faithful. Lift your voice, hum a tune, or...

Scripture focus:Lamentations 3:22-23  It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Devotion: Jeremiah’s words in Lamentations 3:22–23 rise out of a landscape of sorrow and devastation, yet they shine with hope: “It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Even in grief, he recognized that God’s compassion is inexhaustible. Like the sunrise that faithfully breaks through the darkest night, His mercies arrive fresh each day, never diminished, never delayed. Human compassion often falters. It can be worn thin by fatigue, clouded by selfishness, or forgotten in the rush of life. But God’s compassion is infinite. He sees our weakness, our failures, and our brokenness, and yet He responds with mercy and love. This is why we are not consumed—His faithfulness sustains us when our own strengt...

 Scripture focus: “When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.”  Proverbs 16:7 KJV  Devotion: This verse reminds us that the favour of God is not only spiritual but also practical—it influences our relationships, our circumstances, and even the hearts of those who oppose us.   To please the Lord is more than outward rituals; it is the posture of a heart fully surrendered to Him. It begins with accepting Christ as Lord and Savior, for true peace comes when we are reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. It continues with submission to His authority and sovereignty, trusting His wisdom above our own. Pleasing Him means living in total obedience, walking in His commandments even when it costs us, and being filled with the Holy Spirit so that our thoughts, words, and actions reflect His character. When our lives align with His will, we become living testimonies of His goodness, and that pleases Him.   But who are t...

Scripture fo cus: Proverbs 14:31 – “Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” Reflection Repression is when someone uses their power, strength, or influence to silence, control, or hurt others. It might look like bullying in school, mocking someone’s weakness, or even nations denying freedom to their people. At first, repression may seem like strength—but in reality, it is weakness disguised as power.   The Bible reminds us that when we oppress others, we dishonor God Himself, because every person is made in His image. Repression creates wounds:   - For the victim – fear, loss of confidence, and pain.   - For the oppressor – guilt, broken relationships, and eventually consequences.   - For the community – division, mistrust, and cycles of hatred.   History shows that nations built on repression eventually crumble, and friendships built on bullying eventually break. What feels...