ojaysjoel blog

Scripture focus: Genesis 37:4  And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. Devotion Characteristics of a Hater:  A hater is someone whose heart is filled with bitterness and envy. The Bible describes such people as those who “walk in darkness” (1 John 2:11). Common traits include: - Jealousy – resenting the success of others (Genesis 37:4, Joseph’s brothers). - Bitterness – holding grudges and refusing forgiveness. - Malice – desiring harm or downfall for others. - Unforgiveness – refusing to let go of past wrongs (Ephesians 4:31). Causes of Hatred:  Hatred often springs from: - Pride – Cain hated Abel because God accepted Abel’s sacrifice but not his (Genesis 4:5–8). - Fear and insecurity – King Saul hated David because he feared losing his throne (1 Samuel 18:8–9). - Unresolved anger – when anger is not dealt with, it grows into hatred (Ephesians 4:26–27). - Lack of love –...

Scripture focus: And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as  thyself.  Matthew 22:39 KJV Devotion: Jesus summarized the law and the prophets with two great commandments: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Matthew 22:37–39).      To love one’s neighbour is not merely an emotion but a deliberate choice to act in their best interest. Paul echoes this truth when he writes: “Love does no harm to a neighbour; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:10). A person who truly loves others will not steal from them, lie against them, or commit violence against them. Instead, he will protect them, seek their good, and live peaceably with all (Hebrews 12:14).      Yet Scripture makes clear that good deeds alone are not sufficient for salvat...

Scripture focus: “The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty, if we have the strength” (Psalm 90:10) KJV.  Devotion: The Word of God reminds us that “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). Indeed, every good and perfect gift comes from above (James 1:17). Life itself, health, family, and material blessings are not earned by human effort alone but are graciously given by the Lord. To live to the age of seventy in today’s world is no small achievement—it is a testimony of God’s sustaining grace and mercy. The psalmist declares, “The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty, if we have the strength” (Psalm 90:10). Reaching this milestone is therefore a reason for profound thanksgiving.   This week, my elder brother and a dear friend both attained seventy years of age, just three days apart. Today, I join my brother in a thanksgiving service, lifting our voices to the One who alone is worthy of our praise. Thanksgiving is not merely a ritual; ...

Scripture Foundation  • Jeremiah 32:27 – "I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?" • Matthew 19:26 – "What is impossible for man is possible with God." • John 14:13-14 – "Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Ask, and you shall receive." Reflection:  Life often brings seasons filled with uncertainty, pain, and waiting. You might be facing a difficult time now, wondering how God will deliver you. The truth is, you don’t need to understand the "how." What truly matters is that He will. Our Father is a God of miracles, and His wonders surpass human understanding. I heard a song which captures this perfectly: "My Father will do wonders. How He will do it, I don’t know." Faith isn’t about knowing every detail—it’s about trusting the One who holds all the details. Biblical Examples of Miracles: • The Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22): Trapped between Pharaoh’s army and t...

Scripture focus: Psalms 13:1 How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? Matthew 27:46  And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Devotion: There are seasons in life when heaven seems quiet, prayers feel unanswered, and God’s presence appears hidden. These moments can be unsettling, but Scripture shows us that silence is not absence—it is often preparation, testing, or deep work in the unseen. The Silence of God in Scripture:  - Job’s Trial: Job cried out in his suffering, yet God seemed silent. Still, Job declared, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15). God’s silence was not abandonment but a stage for Job’s faith to be refined and for God’s ultimate restoration.    - David’s Lament: In Psalm 13:1, David asks, “How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?” His honesty shows that even a man after ...

Scripture focus: John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”  Devotion: He was offering something far deeper than the temporary calm or fragile security the world provides. His peace is not dependent on circumstances, wealth, or human assurances. It is a divine gift, rooted in His presence and sustained by His Spirit.     The peace of Christ is transformative. It takes a heart weighed down by anxiety and lifts it into joy. It takes fear — that paralyzing uncertainty about tomorrow — and replaces it with faith, a confident trust in God’s promises. Unlike worldly peace, which can be disrupted by conflict, loss, or disappointment, the peace of Jesus remains steady even in storms. It is the assurance that no matter what happens externally, the soul is anchored in Him.     Choosing Jesus is choosing this kind of peace. It is not earned, boug...