ojaysjoel blog

Scripture Reading - “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” — Proverbs 16:18   - “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” — James 4:6   - “When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid… so he consulted a medium for guidance.” — 1 Samuel 28:5–7   Reflection:  Pride is one of the most subtle yet dangerous sins. It creeps into the heart when achievements, blessings, or spiritual victories are mistakenly attributed to human effort rather than God’s grace. The Bible makes it clear that God detests pride because it shifts glory away from Him and places it on fragile human beings.     King Saul is a sobering example. Once chosen and anointed by God, his disobedience and pride led him to lose favor. Instead of repenting, he sought strength in forbidden places, consulting occult powers when the Spirit of God had departed. His downfall was not sudden—it was a gradual erosion of humility, prayer, an...

Scripture Reading: “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1) Devotion: Beloved, Nigeria is passing through a season of deep pain. Terrorism has spread like wildfire—children are kidnapped from schools, worshippers are attacked in churches, and families live in fear of sudden violence. These acts are not just crimes; they are assaults against humanity, faith, and peace. Yet, in the midst of this irregular war, we must remember: our God is still on the throne.    When darkness surrounds us, the safest place is in the arms of Christ. He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). This is not the time to drift away from God—it is the time to draw closer. Our strength, courage, and hope are found in Him alone. We must actively engage ourselves in -  - Prayerful living: Commit your family, community, and nation daily into God’s han...

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...