ojaysjoel blog

Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof. 2 Kings 7:2 KJV. Devotion: Doubt can be subtle, often cloaked in the garments of reason. In 2 Kings 7, Samaria was suffocating under the weight of famine, its people crushed by despair. Into that darkness, Elisha spoke a startling promise: within twenty-four hours, abundance would return. Yet the king’s officer, leaning on his own logic, scoffed. “Even if heaven had windows,” he sneered, “could such a thing be?” His cynicism did not halt God’s word, but it did seal his own fate. He lived to see the miracle unfold, but died at the gate before he could taste its blessing.   Unbelief distorts reality. It narrows the infinite capacity of God into the cramped corridors of human probability. It reshapes how we see others too—causing us to misinterpret our spous...

Scripture focus: Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king's household. 2 Kings 7:9 KJV. Devotion: In 2 Kings 7:9, the lepers said to one another, “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent. If we wait until morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now therefore let us go and tell the king’s household.” Their words echo across time: good news is never meant to be hidden. The Gospel of Christ is the greatest news of all, and it must be shared.   The apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 6:2, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” Salvation is not a distant promise—it is available today. To delay in sharing Christ is dangerous, for life itself is uncertain. James 4:14 soberly declares, “You do not know what will happen tomorrow....

Scripture Focus:   "For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion." — Ecclesiastes 9:4 (KJV) Devotion: Life is a gift, and as long as breath remains in us, there is hope. The Preacher in Ecclesiastes reminds us that even the lowly living dog has more potential than the mighty lion that is dead. Why? Because while we live, we still have the opportunity to turn, to change, to embrace the grace of God through Christ Jesus.    Hope is not automatic. It is assured only when we anchor it in Christ. Without Him, man may live, but he lives without true hope. Jesus Himself declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). In Him, hope is not wishful thinking but a confident assurance of eternal life.   To live with hope, man must walk in reverence to God. Paul exhorts us: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). This reverence i...

"Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit." — Matthew 12:33   Devotion: The words of Jesus remind us that the true nature of a person is revealed not by their appearance or claims, but by the fruit of their life. Just as a healthy tree naturally produces good fruit, a heart rooted in Christ will bear the fruit of righteousness.     Paul echoes this truth in Galatians 5:22–23, describing the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are not manufactured by human effort but are the natural outflow of a life surrendered to the Spirit.     On the other hand, Jesus warns in Matthew 7:17–18: “Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.” Our...

Matthew 12:7 — “But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.” Devotion: Jesus spoke these words to the Pharisees who were quick to judge His disciples for plucking grain on the Sabbath. The heart of His message is clear: God values mercy over ritual, compassion over rigid rule-keeping. To condemn the guiltless is to miss the very heart of God.  - Mercy over sacrifice: Hosea 6:6 echoes this truth — “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” God is not impressed by outward religious acts when our hearts lack compassion.    - Judging others: Jesus warns in Matthew 7:1 — “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” Condemning the innocent reveals a spirit of pride, not love.    - Christ’s example: When the woman caught in adultery was brought before Him, Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more” (John 8:11). He showed mercy where ot...

Matthew 11:29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Devotion: Jesus invites us into a rest that is deeper than sleep and richer than leisure. In Matthew 11:29 He says, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” His rest is not the absence of burdens, but the presence of His strength. When we walk in step with Him, the weight we carry is transformed by His grace.    This promise echoes Psalm 23:2–3: “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul.” The Shepherd leads us into peace, not by removing every valley, but by guiding us through them with His rod and staff. In Him, our souls find restoration.   The world offers fleeting comfort, but Christ offers eternal rest. Hebrews 4:9 reminds us, “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.” This rest is not ...