ojaysjoel blog

A raven, is a member of Crows' family.  The raven is often seen as a mysterious bird, a symbol of memory and watchfulness. In Scripture, ravens appear as reminders of God’s provision and faithfulness. Just as the raven never forgets, so too does God never forget the good deeds of His children. Scripture focus:  "For God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them." Hebrews 6:10   Devotion: This verse assures us that every act of kindness, every prayer whispered, and every sacrifice made in love is remembered by God. Unlike human beings who may overlook or forget, God’s memory is perfect. Lessons from the Raven:  In 1 Kings 17:4–6, God commanded ravens to feed Elijah during a time of famine. These birds became instruments of divine remembrance and provision. The raven did not forget its task, and neither does God forget His promises to us.      ...

 "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness" . Isaiah 41:10 KJV  Devotional:  Fear has a way of magnifying shadows and painting worst-case scenarios in our minds. Yet, Scripture reminds us that the plans of the enemy, the anxieties of our hearts, and the imaginations of our fears do not have the final say. God’s Word declares peace over panic, and victory over dread. God’s Assurance:  The Lord spoke through Isaiah: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). What you feared would overwhelm you will not come to pass, because His presence is your shield. The Example of Job:  Job feared calamity, yet even in his trials, God set boundaries on what the enemy could do: “Thus far you may come, but no farthe...

Scripture focus: “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)  Devotion: Agape is the highest form of love described in Scripture. Unlike human affection that can be conditional or fleeting, agape love is selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional. It is the love that flows from God Himself and is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.  The Nature of Agape: God’s unconditional love: “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Agape does not wait for us to be worthy; it reaches us in our brokenness.   Perfect love: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…” (1 John 4:18) Agape casts out fear because it is rooted in God’s eternal faithfulness.   The Example of Agape is Jesus’ sacrifice: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13) Christ embodied agape when He gave ...

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this I will be confident." Psalm 27:1–3 KJV  Reflection:  Fear often creeps into our lives when we look at our circumstances rather than the God who rules over them. Whether it is an unexpected crisis from the outside or deep-seated anxiety within our own hearts, threats can easily feel overwhelming. Yet, David writes Psalm 27 not from a place of comfortable isolation, but from the heat of conflict. He knew what it felt like to be hunted, outnumbered, and surrounded by foes. What made the difference was his perspective: David did not measure the enemy against his own strength; he measured the enemy against God . Notice the three powerful declarations...

"Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words".  2 Timothy 4:14-15  KJV  Devotion: Forgiveness is mandatory for spiritual peace, but unconditional accommodation is not required—forgiveness releases the heart from bitterness, while trust and access must be restored through proven change over time. At its core, biblical forgiveness is the deliberate choice to surrender resentment, forgo personal retaliation, and release an offender from their moral debt.  In Colossians 3:13, the Apostle Paul commands believers to "bear with each other and forgive one another... Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Similarly, in Matthew 18:21-22, Jesus instructs Peter to forgive an offender "seventy-seven times," emphasizing that releasing offense is an ongoing duty of grace.   However, forgiving an offender does not mean you must act as if the offense never took place. ...

Scripture focus: "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison."   James 3:8 KJV. The Smallest Part, the Greatest Destruction ​The tongue is one of the smallest muscles in the human body, yet it holds remarkable power. James describes it as a wild beast—unruly, restless, and capable of inflicting deep damage. Just as a tiny spark can set a vast forest ablaze (James 3:5), a few careless words can burn down relationships, shatter trust, and wound spirits.   ​Left to our own human willpower, no man can tame the tongue . We may control our external actions, but when anger, pride, or fear surface, our words quickly reveal what is truly happening within us. ​A Matter of the Heart ​Why is the tongue so hard to control? It is ecause it is directly connected to the inner self. Jesus revealed the root cause in Matthew 12:34:  ​ "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."   ​Our words are merely a dipstick measuring the state o...