ojaysjoel blog

Scripture focus: Psalms 13:1 How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? Matthew 27:46  And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Devotion: There are seasons in life when heaven seems quiet, prayers feel unanswered, and God’s presence appears hidden. These moments can be unsettling, but Scripture shows us that silence is not absence—it is often preparation, testing, or deep work in the unseen. The Silence of God in Scripture:  - Job’s Trial: Job cried out in his suffering, yet God seemed silent. Still, Job declared, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15). God’s silence was not abandonment but a stage for Job’s faith to be refined and for God’s ultimate restoration.    - David’s Lament: In Psalm 13:1, David asks, “How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?” His honesty shows that even a man after ...

Scripture focus: John 14:27 “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”  Devotion: He was offering something far deeper than the temporary calm or fragile security the world provides. His peace is not dependent on circumstances, wealth, or human assurances. It is a divine gift, rooted in His presence and sustained by His Spirit.     The peace of Christ is transformative. It takes a heart weighed down by anxiety and lifts it into joy. It takes fear — that paralyzing uncertainty about tomorrow — and replaces it with faith, a confident trust in God’s promises. Unlike worldly peace, which can be disrupted by conflict, loss, or disappointment, the peace of Jesus remains steady even in storms. It is the assurance that no matter what happens externally, the soul is anchored in Him.     Choosing Jesus is choosing this kind of peace. It is not earned, boug...

Proverbs 18:24: “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”  Devotion: Friendship is one of life’s greatest treasures, but it is also one of its greatest tests. Many people will walk with you when the road is smooth, but only a few will remain when the path grows rough. I experienced this firsthand—when I left my workplace, only one person reached out. Surprisingly, it wasn’t the one I considered closest, but her call revealed the purity of her heart. That is the mark of a true friend. The Nature of True Friendship:  The Bible reminds us that not all who surround us are genuine companions. The scripture focus above says it all. True friendship is not measured by convenience or gain, but by loyalty and love.   David understood this deeply. He was betrayed by those he trusted—Ahithophel, his counselor, turned against him and joined Absalom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 15:31). The sting of betrayal was so sharp that David lam...

“This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24) Devotion: Each morning is a gift from God. The very fact that you wake up is a testimony of His mercy, for many lay down to sleep but do not rise again. Sleep itself is a mystery—when you are deeply asleep, you are unaware of what happens around you, almost as though you were temporarily absent from this world. Yet, by God’s grace, you awaken with full consciousness, restored to life.   In sleep, we dream. Dreams are another wonder of God’s creation. Sometimes they reveal hidden truths, sometimes they reflect the past, and at other times they foreshadow the future. “For God speaks once, yea twice, yet man perceives it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night…” (Job 33:14–15). These mysteries remind us that man is not merely flesh, but a being of spirit, soul, and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23). The flesh we can see and touch, the soul we perceive through emotions and thoughts, but the spirit is uns...

Scripture focus: John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. Devotion: Confidence, as Merriam-Webster defines it, is “faith or belief that one will act in a right, proper, or effective way.” In everyday life, we see this kind of confidence expressed in remarkable ways. For instance, when people go to the hospital, they entrust their lives to doctors and nurses. They willingly submit to anesthesia and surgery, fully believing that the process will be successful. That is confidence in human ability.   Yet, when it comes to faith in Christ Jesus, many struggle to believe. They find it difficult to trust Him to deliver them from a sinful lifestyle or to prepare a place for them in heaven. Jesus Himself said, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions… I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:1–2). Sadly, many doubt this promise.   Some people think that their good works alone...

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 ...