ojaysjoel blog

I passed a wall of magazines at an airport—one headline stopping me in my tracks. It said, “Why We Are More Exhausted Than Ever.”   That day I was so fatigued I could feel it in my soul.  Like many, I had embraced a lifestyle of long hours, chronic stress, constant travel, endless screen time, and a pace with minimal margin.   In trying to serve others, as well as feed poor and suffering people around the world, I had slowly neglected my own needs and the remedies God had provided to keep me whole.    That strategy works—until it doesn’t.     This life is an incredible adventure, but our minds, bodies, and souls require attention—not neglect.   The world offers promises of happiness and contentment that inevitably fall short and lead to disillusionment and disappointment. God, on the other hand, offers care for our deepest needs and everyday challenges. The bible says"I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint."  Jeremiah 31:25 NIV Many o...

Scripture focus:  "Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king." 1 Peter 2:17 Devotion:  In a world that often thrives on rebellion, cynicism, and tearing down authority, the Apostle Peter offers a counter-cultural command: "Honour the king." What makes this directive staggering is the context in which it was written. Peter wasn’t writing during a time of benevolent, God-fearing rulers. He wrote this under the reign of the Roman Emperor Nero—a tyrant who actively persecuted Christians. Yet, God's word does not say, "Honour the king only when you agree with his policies," or "Respect authority only if they deserve it."   True Christian honour is not earned by the recipient; it is given out of obedience to the One who placed them there. As the Apostle Paul reinforces in Romans 13:1:  "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities th...

Scripture focus: "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest."  Proverbs 6:6-8 (NIV) Reflection: We have all had those mornings where the bed feels a little too comfortable, the alarm clock feels like a personal attack, and the motivation to get things done is nowhere to be found. A little rest is healthy, but there is a fine line between resting and slipping into a habit of laziness. When God wanted to give us a masterclass on work ethic, He didn’t point us to the CEOs, the influencers, or the high-achievers of ancient times. He pointed us to a tiny, easily overlooked insect: 'the ant'. Ants uses initiative rather than supervision.  Ants don’t need a boss standing over them with a clipboard. They don’t wait for a performance review or a threat of being fired to get to work. They see what needs to be done, and they do it. Laziness often wa...

"But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. 1 Corinthians 11:3" Devotion : The God we serve has laid down a chain of command that exists in His kingdom. This implies that the Father is the first in command, followed by Christ Jesus, followed by the man, and finally the woman.  If this chain of command is adhered to there will be peace in the fellowship we have with one another.  Dear reader, are you happy with where God has placed you in the chain of command? Share your thoughts here! KJV study bible. 

Scripture Focus:   "Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways." — Haggai 1:5   Reflection In Haggai chapter 1, God rebuked the people for prioritizing their paneled houses while His temple lay in ruins. They were busy adorning their own lives with comfort and luxury, yet neglecting what truly mattered — honoring God and caring for His work.     Today, this message speaks directly to how we live in our communities. We often pursue ostentatious living — fine clothes, expensive gadgets, lavish celebrations — while ignoring the plight of the indigent, the elderly poor, the lame, and the marginalized around us. The Lord calls us to pause and consider our ways.   Counsel from the word of God. - Proverbs 19:17 — “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will He pay him again.”     Caring for the poor is not charity; it is worship. God Himself counts it as a loan to Him....

Scripture Focus:   "Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways." — Haggai 1:5   Reflection In Haggai chapter 1, God rebuked the people for prioritizing their paneled houses while His temple lay in ruins. They were busy adorning their own lives with comfort and luxury, yet neglecting what truly mattered — honoring God and caring for His work.     Today, this message speaks directly to how we live in our communities. We often pursue ostentatious living — fine clothes, expensive gadgets, lavish celebrations — while ignoring the plight of the indigent, the elderly poor, the lame, and the marginalized around us. The Lord calls us to pause and consider our ways.   Counsel from the word of God. - Proverbs 19:17 — “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will He pay him again.”     Caring for the poor is not charity; it is worship. God Himself counts it as a loan to Him....