ojaysjoel blog

Text: “For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.” 2 Samuel 14:14 (KJV) Devotional Message: The wise woman of Tekoa used a powerful illustration when she said that human beings are “as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again.” Once water is poured onto the earth, it quickly disappears and cannot be recovered. In the same way, every human life on earth is temporary. Whether rich or poor, young or old, educated or uneducated, we all have an appointment with death. The Scriptures confirm this solemn truth:“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Hebrews 9:27 No one knows the day or the hour of his departure from this world. Many make plans for tomorrow, next year, or even decades ahead, but life itself is a gift that can cease at any moment. The Psalmist prayed: “So teach us t...

Scripture: "But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one." — Matthew 5:37 (NKJV) "For with God nothing will be impossible." — Luke 1:37 (NKJV) Reflection In a world that constantly encourages compromise, standing for the truth is rarely comfortable. Saying a firm, uncompromised "No" to dishonesty, injustice, or pressure can sometimes bring immediate hardship. It might invite opposition, misunderstanding, or friction with those who prefer convenience over conviction. When your integrity is tested, the temptation to bend—to turn a "No" into a hesitant "Maybe"—can feel overwhelming. Yet, Jesus calls His followers to an unyielding standard of absolute honesty and dependability. Standing firm on divine truth may bring temporary troubles, but you do not stand alone. When you align your heart with God's righteousness, His presence becomes your anchor. The pressure to compromise...

“ Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit ” (Ecclesiastes 7:8). We often celebrate beginnings. A new season, a fresh opportunity, a long-awaited answer to prayer can fill our hearts with excitement and expectation. Yet Solomon reminds us that God places great value not merely on how something starts, but on how it ends. Many journeys begin with enthusiasm, but it takes patience, humility, and steadfast faith to reach the finish line well. Patience is the quiet strength that trusts God even when the path is long and the outcome is unseen. The patient spirit refuses to give up when progress seems slow. As James encourages believers, “ Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing ” (James 1:4). Through waiting, God shapes our character and deepens our dependence on Him. In contrast, pride often demands immediate results and seeks recognition. A proud heart relies on ...

Scripture focus: Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart. Ecclesiastes 7:7  KJV  Devotion: Life can test even the strongest believer. When we witness injustice or become victims of oppression, our hearts can become overwhelmed with anger, frustration, and discouragement. Ecclesiastes 7:7 reminds us, “Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart” (KJV). This verse reveals two dangers that can derail a person from walking in wisdom: the bitterness caused by oppression and the corruption caused by dishonest gain. Oppression has a way of stirring deep emotions. A wise person who repeatedly experiences unfair treatment or sees others suffer may become angry and tempted to question God's justice. Yet Scripture encourages us not to allow anger to control us. “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath” (Ephesians 4:26). While God understands our pain, He calls us to trust Him as the righteous Judge...

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:  Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV. Devotion: Time is one of the few resources in life that is completely non-renewable. Every tick of the clock is a moment passed, never to be reclaimed. Yet, in the rush of daily demands, it is easy to live as if our supply of time is infinite, postponing what matters most for an "eventual" tomorrow that isn't guaranteed. In Ephesians 5:15–16, the Apostle Paul gives us a direct instruction for navigating our daily lives:  "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." To "redeem the time" means to buy up the opportunity, to rescue it from being wasted on things of no lasting value. Scripture reminds us that our earthly lives are brief—a mere vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes (James 4:14). Recognizing the brevity of time is not meant to inspire fear or panic, but rat...

Text: “Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.” (Ecclesiastes 9:7) The book of Ecclesiastes teaches us many profound truths about life, time, and eternity. In our text today, the Teacher encourages God's people to embrace life with joy, gratitude, and gladness of heart. He says, “Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart.” This is not a call to reckless living, but an invitation to enjoy the blessings that God graciously provides. However, hidden within this verse is a very important condition: “for God now accepteth thy works.” True joy belongs to those whose lives are acceptable before God. Under the New Covenant, this acceptance is not based on human merit but on faith in Jesus Christ. Those who have repented of their sins, surrendered their lives to Christ, and are walking in obedience to His Word can rejoice because they have peace with God. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Ther...