ojaysjoel blog

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. Psalms 34:19" Devotion : Reading the opening scripture should encourage believers in Christ Jesus to keep pressing on in the midst of challenges or afflictions. The Holy Spirit wants us to focus on Jesus Christ, the Deliverer, because there is a sure Word that He will deliver us from all our afflictions or difficulties. When we focus on the Deliverer, He gives us more grace to overcome our obstacles. However, when we focus on the afflictions or challenges, doubt, fear, and anxiety are created in us which robs our faith and our ability to receive grace to overcome. Hence, we complain, murmur, and feel self-pity, which prolong the afflictions and draw us back in the faith; they may even rob us of our joy in Christ, which is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Dear beloved, are you going through any afflictions or challenges? What do you think you must do to overcome them? Share your comments here...

"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31" Devotion : The Apostle Paul asked the above questions after touching on many subjects. Some of the subjects he touched on were the intercession of the Holy Spirit for us, predestination, justification, and glorification. All the things he spoke about are in our favor as believers in Christ Jesus. He taught these subjects to encourage the believers in his era not to give up their faith even though they might be going through a lot of challenges. He said the destiny of Christians has been planned by God, we have been declared not guilty by God, and we will be glorified in the end. Sometimes we are deceived to think that God does not care or that God hates us, because of the challenges or sufferings that come our way when we became born again. These trials are just passing for us to be glorified in the end. If God gave His Son to us, then He, by His Son, will give us all things because...

"Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. Timothy 2:4" Devotion : God is good. He is good because He does not want anybody to go to hell. Even though He does not want anyone to go to hell, He has left everyone to his own will; in other words, He has allowed mankind to make their own choices. The almighty God, through His saving plan, gave Jesus Christ to mankind that through Jesus all men can be saved. For this reason, the gospel is still being preached today; this is the saving knowledge God is conveying to the people of the world through His ministers of the gospel. The desire and expectation of the Father of creation is that sinners, evildoers, and the wicked will take advantage of the knowledge of Christ and be saved. If they don't choose the path of salvation, then they have chosen the path of eternal damnation. Dear beloved, what path have you chosen? Share your thoughts here! http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kjvstu...

"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Colossians 2:8" Devotion : The Apostle Paul exhorted the church in Colossae about the strategy of the enemy to entangle them again. The devil was going to do that through philosophy and vain deceit with respect to tradition and rudiments of the world. The strategy of the enemy and his cohorts of darkness still lingers on today. He has colored the educational system with subjects and courses that seek to mock our faith. An example is the big bang theory, which does not recognize God as the creator of the earth. Another example is a false belief by some Jews that without circumcision in the flesh, one cannot be born again. When a person becomes born again, all the old things, including human traditions and philosophies, pass away (2 Corinthians 5:17). What the believer in Christ needs to do is to adopt the Word of God and God...

"A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Psalm 91:7" Devotion : The mental picture painted by the opening scripture is how our enemies have been designed by God. They have been made to fall in their thousands at our side; they cannot come close to us. Therefore, there is no need, as a child of God, to fear the enemy. Besides the devil and his cohort of darkness, anything that seeks to oppose or seek our downfall is an enemy. All of these have been designed to fall flat before us. Jesus Christ emphasized this in Luke 10:19, where he said our enemies have been perpetually placed under our feet for us to trample over them and that nothing would hurt us. Let this consciousness be in you, and you will overcome all doubts and opposition in your life. Dear beloved, do you have opposition in your life? How do you seek to overcome these? Share your thoughts here! http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kjvstudybible....

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17" Devotion : The Christian must come to terms with God's view about who the Christian is. Anybody who is born again is made a new man or woman. This means his spirit is reborn into the kingdom of heaven, where even what is impossible with men can be possible. If you are sick and you receive Jesus Christ as Lord, God sees you as healed, so you keep declaring what God says you are, and you will be healed. If you were an armed robber, God sees you as a righteous man, hence you declare to yourself that you are righteous. If you were poor, God sees you as rich, so declare that you are rich, and you will be rich. In the kingdom of God, confession leads to possession. As a child of God, everything about you has become new, and you have no past; view yourself that way, and silence the negative imagination and accusation of the enemy. Dear belo...

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58" Devotion : The Apostle Paul, by the inspiration of God, has given the believer another key to live a victorious Christian life. The key is to always abound in the work of the Lord. He admits that as a Christian, the race is not always rosy, hence we must be steadfast and unmovable. The enemy would always attack the children of God who are doing the work of our Lord Jesus Christ. His motive is to make you think your labor for the Lord is in vain so that you give up the Lord's work. The only key to nullify his attack is to be devoted and immovable and to enjoy the work of the Lord, knowing that surely your reward will come. Dear beloved, do you feel like giving up on the work of the Lord Jesus Christ? Don't give up but apply the key in the article, and you will definitely share your t...

Praise God for his goodness to me, it's been another year successfully completed. I bless God for his loving-kindness, mercy and grace over my life. Please pray for me. Thank you.  "He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Psalm 107:20" Devotion : The Apostle Paul exhorts us to be imitators of God as little children (Ephesians 5:1). In the opening scripture, we see God sending His Word to heal and deliver the Israelites from destruction. Today God is counting on his children to use the Word to get things done. If you are a child of God and you are in need, your solution is the Word. Send the scripture relating to the situation that needs to be changed, and the Word will change it. Those who are moving from one church to the next seeking deliverance should know that the only one that can deliver them is the Word of God. What they need to do is find the scripture that provides the solution to their situation and send it in faith, and th...

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Psalms 19:1" Devotion : Elohim created the heavens and the earth and everything therein to worship and praise Him. After the fall of man, some of the creation of God stopped praising Him. In the opening scripture, we are told that the heavens declare the glory of God and the sky or firmament displays His handiwork. Verse 2 says day unto day utter speech, and night unto night shows knowledge. How many human beings do what the heavens and the sky do day and night? Some people give their praise and worship to idols or themselves, but they that know Elohim, the true God, should worship and praise Him more than the heavens and the firmament are doing. Besides worship and praise, they also show forth knowledge - the knowledge that God exists. Therefore, those who doubt the existence of God have no excuse at all because even the sky tells them about the almighty God. Dear beloved, how many times do you w...

"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5" Devotion : The good news was derived from the finished work of Christ on the cross of Calvary. Jesus, who knew no sin, was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our wickedness, and the punishment we deserved was laid on Him; He gave us healing by His stripes. This is the good news Christ Jesus brought to mankind. He did all the work for us to receive the reward; all we need to do is to just believe and be a partaker of the blessings. Those who do not believe the good news will have themselves to blame in hell since they want to pay for their own sins in hell. If man could pay for his own sins, Jesus would not have come. Dear reader, the choice is now yours; either you believe in the gospel and partake of the blessings or reject it and suffer the consequences. Share your comments here! http://play.g...

"That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. Timothy 3:17" Devotion : The opening scripture has enlightened us about God's goal to train his children by His Word. His goal or objective is to bring His children, especially leaders, to a place of maturity and perfection for good works. God is not happy when his leaders fail; therefore, He trains them thoroughly and expects them to be good examples to their followers. Our goal as children of God is to submit to the training of God no matter how tough it may seem. Also, we should aim to thoroughly go through all the training planned for us so that we can mature and be ready for good works. Dear beloved, how ready are you for good works? Share the word. http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kjvstudybible.bible.kjv.bibleverses.bibleoffline

"If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. John 13:17" Devotion : Jesus had washed the disciples' feet and had wiped them with a towel. When He had finished, He told them to wash each other's feet for a disciple is not greater than His master. He continued to tell them that it is good to know His Word and His work but happy will they be if they do them. He made it explicitly clear that knowing the scriptures is not enough but rather doing the scriptures is what brings happiness and joy. Dear beloved, are you backing up the scriptures you know with action? Share your thoughts with other learners! http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kjvstudybible.bible.kjv.bibleverses.bibleoffline

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6" Devotion : There are many witnesses to uncompleted projects by governments and certain key holders in the society. In the kingdom of God, this is not so, because Jesus Christ is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end (Revelation 1:8). This explains our confidence in Christ that whatever He has started with us He is able to complete it or bring it to a perfect end. Dear beloved, what good work has God started in you? Have confidence in Christ Jesus, and keep believing in Him. Keep having faith in the Word of God, and He will perfect what He has started in you. Share your comments here! http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kjvstudybible.bible.kjv.bibleverses.bibleoffline

"Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; Deuteronomy 7:9" Devotion : A covenant is an agreement between a higher being and a lesser being with a seal of blood; in the covenant, the higher being promises the lesser being, and there is a demand of obligation from the lesser being. There are many covenants in the Bible: Adamic covenant, Abrahamic covenant, Mosaic covenant, etc. There could also be covenants between lesser beings with the invocation of a deity. An example is the covenant between David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:16). The opening scripture said we should know that God is a faithful God, He does not break His covenant, He is merciful to those who love Him, and His commandments go beyond a thousand generations. It presupposes that some children of God lack detailed knowledge about God. How well you know God determines how far you wil...

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. James 1:12" Devotion : Jesus Christ is the greatest leader in heaven and on Earth. He has many rewards for Christians, even for enduring temptation. This might come as a surprise to some Christians, but it is true; the opening scripture clearly states it, and the Word of God cannot lie. Christians who are going through temptation should be encouraged by this scripture to bear it to the end so that they can receive the crown of life. Besides receiving the crown of life, Christians who undergo temptation to the end prove their love for Christ. Dear beloved, do you love Christ Jesus? The proof of your love will be tested through temptation, and you must endure it to the end to receive the crown of life. Share your comments here! http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kjvstudybible.bible.kjv.bibleverses.bibleoffline

"He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. Luke 11:23" Devotion : Jesus Christ of Nazareth made that profound statement in Luke 11:23. It is clear that no one can be on the fence in this world; you are either for Jesus or against Him. Either you are winning souls for Him or you are turning souls away from Him; there is no middle ground. Those who are in the world or those who are not born again are against Jesus Christ; no one can dispute it. However, those who are born again must ask themselves whether they are for or against Jesus. This is the truth from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ's point of view. Dear beloved, it is time for you to ask yourself this personal question: "Am I for Christ or against Him?" Share your comments here! http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kjvstudybible.bible.kjv.bibleverses.bibleoffline

"He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. Luke 11:23" Devotion : Jesus Christ of Nazareth made that profound statement in Luke 11:23. It is clear that no one can be on the fence in this world; you are either for Jesus or against Him. Either you are winning souls for Him or you are turning souls away from Him; there is no middle ground. Those who are in the world or those who are not born again are against Jesus Christ; no one can dispute it. However, those who are born again must ask themselves whether they are for or against Jesus. This is the truth from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ's point of view. Dear beloved, it is time for you to ask yourself this personal question: "Am I for Christ or against Him?" Share your comments here! http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kjvstudybible.bible.kjv.bibleverses.bibleoffline

"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Psalm 34:18" Devotion : God has laid down a principle for Himself regarding whom to walk with and be close to. He said He will be close to a person who is of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. A broken heart is a heart of meekness, a life of continual humility. A contrite spirit is a heart that shows remorse for sins. These two qualities are very essential to God; therefore, a Christian who seeks to hear the voice of God or to be close to God must yearn to develop a meek heart and contrite spirit. Dear beloved, do you have these two qualities God desires from you? Share your comments here! http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kjvstudybible.bible.kjv.bibleverses.bibleoffline

"Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Romans 12:14" Devotion : The world believes in a tooth for a tooth and an eye for an eye; this means that the world believes in vengeance. However, the Christian is of a different Spirit; he is born into the light of God, which believes in forgiveness. The Christian is blessed and has been made to be a blessing (Ephesians 1:3). Therefore, cursing or uttering curses is not the nature of Christ and hence not the nature of the Christian. The Christian must live according to his or her nature. Jesus Christ acknowledged that we will be persecuted just as He was persecuted. All the persecutions are training tools to build our faith; therefore, instead of cursing our persecutors, we must bless them and rejoice to share in the sufferings of Christ. Dear beloved, are you being persecuted in any way? What are you doing to overcome it? Share your thoughts here! http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kjvstudybible.bible.kjv.bib...

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: James 1:19" Devotion : Apostle James, after being born again, noticed that the Holy Ghost had endowed him with special abilities that he had harnessed to accomplish much in the kingdom of God. These special abilities are to hear swiftly, speak gently, and control anger. He therefore exhorts every Christian to harness these qualities; they are already in the born again Christian, and he or she needs to make a conscious effort to cultivate them. Swift to hear/listening attentively is an ability to fight against dullness to hear; slow to speak is an ability that ensures that the speaker thought carefully before speaking, preventing hastiness in speaking, which leads to mistakes; slow to wrath is an ability of self-control to overcome unnecessary anger that leads to sin. It is vital for every Christian to cultivate these abilities so that he or she can grow to maturity and avoid many mi...

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8" Devotion : The Apostle Paul, with his walk with the Lord Jesus Christ, obtained certain vital keys from the Lord. One of the keys is taking control of your thoughts; hence, he laid down a rule to keep a check on his thoughts. The mind produces both good and evil thoughts and therefore must be checked. Any thought that comes to your mind that has the qualities of truth, honesty, justice, purity, love, good report, virtue, and praiseworthiness are good thoughts and must be retained. All the other thoughts that do not fall in line with truth, honesty, justice, purity, love, good report, virtue, and praiseworthiness must be rejected or deleted. This is so essential because as a Christian, wh...

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 2 Corinthians 9:8" Devotion : The goal of the Almighty God is to make us self-sufficient in Him; no wonder the scripture says we are complete in Christ Jesus (Colossians 2:10). Grace is a special ability or favor from God. There is grace for everything that we desire to do in the kingdom of God: grace to be a banker, doctor, pastor, teacher, husband, wife, etc. What do you plan to do for Christ Jesus? The scripture is clear that God is able to make grace available to achieve that purpose. His grace is meant for good works; as long as your intentions are good, God is ever ready to supply you grace to accomplish it. When that grace is given, all the resources you need to accomplish that good work will journey to you miraculously. Dear beloved, what kind of grace do you need? Ask God for it in faith, and you will have it. Share your comments ...

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Peter 5:8" Devotion : God has given us two important keys to overcome the strategy of the devil. These keys are soberness and vigilance. To be sober means to be serious or clearheaded, and to be vigilant means to be watchful or alert. If you walk with these two keys of seriousness and watchfulness, you can easily identify the tricks of the devil. The devil avoids Christians who are serious and alert because he is cast out and defeated. On the other hand, he dines with Christians who are not serious and are sleepy; these are the ones he is seeking to devour. Therefore, the choice is yours; either you choose to be serious and watchful and rule over the devil or be lazy and sleepy and be devoured by the devil. Dear beloved, what is your choice? Share the word. http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kjvstudybible.bible.kjv.bibleverses.bibleoffline

"And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. Luke 12:15" Devotion : Jesus Christ was teaching the disciples when a man interrupted him to ask his brothers to divide their inheritance with him. This man put an inheritance first before the Word of God, and Jesus had to counsel him. Covetousness is an evil desire of greed: a thirst for pursuing possessions without ever being satisfied. Jesus Christ said there is more to life than possessions; no wonder He said what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul (Mark 8:36). The soul is more essential than material wealth, and one must choose to secure the soul for eternal life. Beware of covetousness because it can change your focus and lead you to destruction. It has led many to engage in all manner of crimes for material things. Dear beloved, beware of covetousness, and be content with what God has gi...