ojaysjoel blog

Scripture Focus: Exodus 15:27 — “And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.”   Elim was a divine oasis in the desert — a place of refreshment, shade, and rest after hardship. It reminds us that God reserves places of comfort for His obedient children. The desert seasons of life are not permanent; obedience leads us to wells of water and palm trees of shade.   The Blessing of Obedience: - Provision: Just as Israel found twelve wells, God provides abundantly for those who walk in His ways.   - Rest: Seventy palm trees symbolize shade and relief. Obedience brings peace even in the midst of trials.   - Guidance: Israel didn’t stumble upon Elim; God led them there. Obedience keeps us aligned with His direction.   Other Promises for the Obedient - Deuteronomy 28:1-14 — Blessings in the city and field, in work and family, for those who obey.   - Is...

Scripture focus:  "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." — Isaiah 40:31   Devotion:  The children of God have a unique way of being revitalized: waiting on the Lord. This is not passive idleness but an active posture of trust, prayer, and surrender. When we wait, we acknowledge that our strength is insufficient and invite God to take full control.   - Prayer: Spending time in communion with God renews our spirit.   - Word of God: Meditating on Scripture fills us with divine wisdom and direction.   - Fasting: A purposeful fast sharpens our focus and dependence on Him.      In waiting, God pours fresh strength, new vision, and renewed energy into our lives.   Elijah’s Experience: After Elijah’s mighty victory on Mount Carmel, where he killed the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:40...

(This question was asked in our Sunday school class this morning. Here's what bible scholars think about it) David was both a sinner and a man after God’s own heart. He committed grave sins—adultery with Bathsheba and arranging the death of her husband Uriah—but God forgave him because of his genuine repentance, expressed in Psalm 51, where he pleaded for mercy and a clean heart. Forgiveness came not because David was flawless, but because he humbled himself, confessed, and sought God’s grace.   David’s Dual Identity: Righteous Yet Flawed - Man after God’s heart: Acts 13:22 describes David this way because of his deep faith, worship, and trust in God. - Grave sins: His adultery and orchestration of Uriah’s death (2 Samuel 11) were serious moral failures. - Repentance: Unlike Saul, David did not justify his actions but confessed immediately when confronted by Nathan the prophet. Why God Forgave David: - Genuine confession: David admitted, “I have sinned against the LORD” (2 Sam...

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” — Galatians 5:13 (KJV) Devotion:  Paul reminds us that Christian liberty is not a license to indulge selfish desires. Freedom in Christ means we are no longer bound by the law for salvation, but this liberty must be exercised responsibly. True freedom is found in serving others through love, reflecting the heart of Christ. - In John 13:34-35, Jesus commands us to love one another as He has loved us. Love becomes the defining mark of discipleship.   - Romans 6:18 declares that we are freed from sin and made servants of righteousness. Liberty is not about self-indulgence but about living in holiness.   - 1 Peter 2:16 cautions believers to use freedom wisely, not as a cover for evil, but as servants of God. We should not use our freedom to suppress others, to slander others but to love, assist and bring others to the knowledge of Chri...

Scripture: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” — Hebrews 12:14 (KJV)   Devotion: Peaceful living is not just the absence of conflict; it is the active pursuit of harmony with others and alignment with God’s holiness. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that peace and holiness are inseparable — one flows into the other. To live at peace with people, we must first be at peace with God.     Jesus Himself declared, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). This means peace is not passive; it requires effort, humility, and sometimes sacrifice. It calls us to forgive quickly, to let go of bitterness, and to seek reconciliation even when it is difficult.     Holiness, on the other hand, is the inward posture of a heart set apart for God. Paul urges in Romans 12:18, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” This shows that peace i...

Scripture focus: Psalms 91:3  Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. (read Psalm 91: 1- end) Devotion: Life can sometimes feel like walking through a minefield. Whether it is betrayal from someone we trusted, systemic injustice, or the quiet malice of people looking out only for themselves, the "evil of men" is a heavy, sobering reality. It’s easy to feel vulnerable. But the truth of Scripture is clear: our ultimate safety doesn't come from building higher walls or living in constant suspicion. It comes from the sovereign protection of God. When He covers you, the schemes of people lose their power over your destiny.    The Bible doesn't pretend that evil people don't exist. Instead, it promises that God stands between that evil and those who belong to Him. Psalm 91:1-2 (NIV) says  "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my ...