ojaysjoel blog

“If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.” 1 John 4:20 Reflection: We’re quick to call out hatred when it erupts in violence or injustice. But most of the time it doesn’t start that loud. It starts small. A quiet spark. A grudge we nurse. A refusal to forgive. A little smugness when someone we dislike falls. Before we know it, resentment has taken root and dressed itself up as righteousness.   Scripture gives no middle ground here. God doesn’t just dislike hatred — He abhors it. Because God is love, and hatred is everything He is not. To despise someone made in His image is to turn away from the God who made them.   Hatred can look ordinary. It’s choosing not to forgive. It’s the contempt we carry for people who think differently. It’s the secret relief we feel when an enemy stumbles. But bitterness distorts us. We can’t hold the grace of the Cross in one hand ...

Proverbs 16:28 – “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”  NIV Backbiting is one of those subtle sins that can easily creep into our conversations, yet Scripture warns us strongly against it. To backbite is to speak negatively about someone behind their back, tearing down their character instead of building them up. It is a hidden form of gossip that poisons relationships and dishonors God. What the Bible Says: - Proverbs 16:28 – “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”     Backbiting destroys trust and unity, leaving division in its wake. - Psalm 15:1-3 – “Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? … The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor.”     God values integrity and purity of speech. A backbiting tongue disqualifies us from His holy presence. - James 4:11 –...

Scripture Focus:   "And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." — Luke 12:15 KJV  Reflection: Covetousness is a subtle yet destructive desire. It is not merely wanting something, but craving it in a way that displaces trust in God and distorts our priorities. Jesus warns us that life is not measured by possessions. True life is found in Him, not in material abundance.     Paul echoes this in 1 Timothy 6:6-7: “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” Covetousness blinds us to eternal realities, making us chase shadows while neglecting the substance of God’s kingdom.     The danger of covetousness is vividly illustrated in the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21). He stored up treasures for himself but was not rich toward God. His life ended suddenly,...

For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalms 30:5 KJV. Life often feels like a waiting room. We pray, we hope, and sometimes we wonder if God hears us. But the truth is this: something good is coming. Not because of luck or chance, but because the promises of God are sure and unshakable. God’s Assurance of Good: - Jeremiah 29:11 — “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”     This verse reminds us that God’s plans are never random. They are filled with hope, goodness, and a future worth waiting for. - Romans 8:28 — “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”     Even in trials, God is weaving together a tapestry of good. What looks broken now will reveal beauty later. - Psalm 30:5 — “Weeping may en...

Scripture Focus: "Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load." Galatians 6:4-5 (NIV):   Reflection:  The Apostle Paul reminds us in Galatians that spiritual maturity requires personal accountability. We live in a world where it’s easy to shift blame, compare ourselves to others, or excuse our shortcomings. Yet, Scripture calls us to own our choices and recognize that each of us has a "load" to carry — our responsibilities, decisions, and consequences.   - Personal accountability: Paul urges believers to examine their own actions rather than measuring themselves against others. True growth comes when we honestly evaluate our motives and behavior before God.   - Consequences of choices: Proverbs 14:12 warns, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” Our decisions shape our destiny, and we mus...

 Scripture focus:  “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3 Life often feels like a race where we are expected to carry more than we can bear. Yet Scripture reminds us that while diligence is our duty, the outcome belongs to God. The phrase “Do your best and leave the rest” beautifully echoes the biblical call to trust in God’s sovereignty while faithfully stewarding our responsibilities. Work with Faithful Effort: Paul encourages believers in Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” This verse reminds us that our labor is not in vain when it is offered to God. Doing our best means giving our energy, time, and talents wholeheartedly, not for applause, but as an act of worship.   Think of Noah building the ark. He obeyed God’s instructions with diligence, even when the world mocked him. His responsibility was to build; the saving of his family and the ani...