ojaysjoel blog

Scripture Focus - Matthew 7:12 (NIV): “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”   - Philippians 2:3-4: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”   - Galatians 6:2: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Reflection:  The principle of “Do unto others what you can do to yourself” is a call to live with empathy, humility, and love. It reminds us that our actions toward others should reflect the same care, respect, and kindness we desire for ourselves.      Jesus summarized the entire law in this golden rule: love expressed through action. When we treat others with dignity, forgive as we would want forgiveness, and extend help as we would want help, we embody the very heart of Christ. ...

Scripture focus: And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm (Mark 4:38-39 KJV). Devotion: It is easy to praise God when the sun is shining, the bills are paid, and life feels predictable. But when a storm hits—whether it’s a sudden health crisis, a fractured relationship, or the slow, exhausting grind of financial worry—our spiritual vision can get blurry. In the middle of a trial, pain tends to monopolize our attention. It screams for our focus, making God look small and our problems look microscopic and overwhelming. But the truth of Scripture is that God doesn't stand on the shoreline watching us drown; He is right there in the boat. The Blueprint for Blind Trust: In Mark 4, we find the disciples caught in a furious squall. Waves are breaking over the boat, and...

Scripture focus:  “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer” Psalm 18:2 KJV. Foundation in Christ-  Throughout Scripture, Jesus is described as the Rock — firm, unshakable, and eternal. David declared, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer” (Psalm 18:2). Unlike shifting sands of human wisdom or worldly security, Christ is the immovable foundation upon which our faith stands.   The Cornerstone of Faith: The Apostle Paul reminds us, “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11). He is the cornerstone, holding together the structure of our salvation. Without Him, life collapses under the weight of sin and condemnation.   Assurance of Salvation: Peter boldly proclaimed, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Christ alone is the rock of salvation — the one who bore our sins, conquere...

 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 KJV  Devotion:  Choosing to let go of a hurt is rarely easy. When someone wrongs us, our natural instinct isn’t usually to extend grace—it’s to protect ourselves, build a wall, or even wish a little misfortune their way. But the Bible calls us to a completely different standard of living. It invites us to breathe out the bitterness and breathe in a peace that only comes through letting go. Our focal verse provides both the command and the ultimate reason for it. Notice that the Apostle Paul doesn't say to forgive "if"  the other person apologizes, or "if" they deserve it. The benchmark for our forgiveness isn't the behavior of the person who hurt us; it is the behavior of the God who saved us.   We forgive because we have been forgiven. When we realize the staggering depth of the debt God wiped away for us—for Christ’s sak...

Scripture focus: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." — Matthew 5:16 KJV  Devotion:   Jesus Christ is the light of the world (John 8:12) and when He comes into your life, He transforms you into light for the world. No wonder He says, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid” (Matthew 5:14). It is the responsibility of the Christian to show forth all the good virtues that Christ has planted in him or her. I read the story of a born-again Christian lumberjack many years ago. As we probably know, lumberjack men do all sorts of things that are not worthy to be heard from a Christian. This man lived with them for days in the bush, and these other men drank, took drugs, and used abusive words. The Christian returned home from one of the trips. When asked how he coped with the lumberjack lifestyle, he said, “They don’t even know that I am a Christian.” In other words...

Scripture Focus:   “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”   John 14:27  KJV  The Challenge we face: We live in a time when Nigeria faces serious security challenges — kidnapping, banditry, robbery, and terrorism. Alongside this, the economic hardship has pushed many into poverty, leaving hearts heavy and anxious. In such times, the promise of Christ in John 14:27 becomes more than words; it is a lifeline.   The Peace of Christ: Jesus distinguishes His peace from the world’s peace. The world offers temporary relief — money, possessions, or human assurances — but these can be stolen, lost, or fail. Christ’s peace is eternal, unshakable, and rooted in His victory over sin and death.   - Philippians 4:7 reminds us: “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” ...