ojaysjoel blog

“When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.”  Proverbs 16:7 KJV  Many of us live near, work with, or share community spaces with people who are simply hard to get along with. No matter how carefully we try to please them, the tension remains. The harder we strive for their approval, the more elusive peace becomes. Scripture offers a different path. Peace with difficult people is not primarily won by managing their personalities; it is the fruit of a life that first pleases the Lord. When our ways align with His heart, God Himself can soften even those who once stood against us. How do we please God?   First, by surrendering our lives to Christ and walking in obedience to His Word. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Second, by allowing His love to flow through us toward others—including those we find difficult. The Bible declares, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). Therefore, the children of God are ma...

Text: “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.” — Revelation 3:19 (NKJV) A loving parent corrects a child who is going astray. Rebuke, when given in love, is not meant to harm but to guide and restore. “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). I once lived in a community where many parents rarely corrected their children and allowed them to do whatever they pleased. As time went on, school dropout rates increased, teenage pregnancy became widespread, alcoholism was common, and incidents of stealing and burglary occurred frequently. The perpetrators were often known, yet little was done to address the problem. Eventually, the government established a police station in the community, and offenders began to face the consequences of their actions. It was then that many parents realized the importance of discipline and started correcting their children more intentionally. This experien...

Text: Hebrews 13:5 (KJV) "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." As children of God, we are called to live lives free from covetousness and to be satisfied with the blessings God has given us. Contentment is a sign of trust in God's wisdom, provision, and timing. When we constantly desire what belongs to others, we place ourselves in danger of sin and spiritual decline. Covetousness often produces envy, and envy can grow into bitterness, hatred, and other sinful actions. The Bible warns us that "where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work" (James 3:16). Instead of rejoicing with others for their blessings, a covetous heart becomes troubled and dissatisfied. Secondly, coveting what belongs to others can lead to wrongful and unlawful actions. Inordinate ambition may tempt people to obtain wealth, possessions, status, or i...

Scripture focus: “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”James 3:14,16 KJV  Devotion: These words cut deep. Envying and strife are not merely external conflicts—they begin as bitter roots in the heart. When we harbour .jealousy over another’s gifts, success, or position, and allow rivalry to grow, we open the door to disorder. Scripture is clear: where these thrive, confusion follows, and every kind of evil work finds fertile ground.    This is not a new warning. Paul lists envy and strife among the works of the flesh that war against the Spirit (Galatians 5:19–21). He also urges the church at Philippi, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3). And James himself goes on to describe the better way: “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure...

Scripture focus: And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. Matthew 20:6-7  KJV. (Read Matthew 20: 1 - 16) Reflection:  In the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, Jesus tells of a landowner who hired workers throughout the day. Some began early in the morning. Others came at the third hour, the sixth, and the ninth. Then, almost at the end of the day, he found still more standing idle.    “About the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’” (Matthew 20:6–7, ESV)   When evening came, every worker received the same wage—the full day’s pay. Those who had labored on...

“Let marriage be held in honour among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled.”  Hebrews 13:4 KJV  Reflection:  Faithfulness in marriage is not simply the absence of betrayal; it is the daily decision to honour the covenant you have made. It involves honesty, loyalty, transparency, and intentionally nurturing the trust that binds a husband and wife together.   Often, unfaithfulness begins with seemingly harmless actions that gradually create emotional distance from one's spouse. Excessive personal communication with someone of the opposite sex, sharing intimate family matters with them, or engaging in exchanges that foster emotional dependency can open doors to misunderstanding, temptation, or inappropriate attachment. Likewise, giving or receiving gifts in ways that create exclusive affection or emotional closeness should be approached with wisdom and caution. As believers, we are called to guard our hearts and protect the sanctity of our marriages.    ...