ojaysjoel blog

"From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 4:17" Devotion : Jesus Christ being the author and the finisher of our faith led the way to preach the gospel about the kingdom of heaven. Christians are therefore obliged to preach the gospel since they are the heir of salvation.    Angels cannot preach the gospel because they were not bought by the blood of Jesus.  The world need to know that the only way to inherit the kingdom of heaven is to repent and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and personal Saviour.  Mathew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.   Dear reader, do you preach the gospel? Congratulations if you do because you a following the example of Jesus Christ and you will be rewarded. God bless you. http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kjvstudybible.bible.kjv.bibleverses.bibleoffline

"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Matthew 28:18" Devotion : Jesus Christ assured His disciples not to be afraid for all power has been given to Him. All this power has been given to the church of which every born again Christian is a member. Therefore, the believer has all power in heaven and in earth because as Jesus is so are we in this world, 1 John4:17. Dear reader, do you doubt the power in you? Use the power in you to get things done. Kindly write your views in the personal notes section! http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kjvstudybible.bible.kjv.bibleverses.bibleoffline

“But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:14 (KJV)   Devotion: Jesus Christ was teaching the people on the coast of Judea when mothers sought Him so that He could bless their children. The disciples prevented them, but Jesus Christ intervened, showing displeasure at what the disciples did. He took the children and blessed them.    Beloved, Jesus gave attention to all who sought Him, including children. We should draw lessons from what Jesus Christ did and draw children close to us (Proverbs 29:15). Beloved, children are the future leaders of every society, and therefore we must give them their proper place. We should have time for them, train them, bless them, and prepare them for the future that is ahead of them.   When we train them in the way they should go, they will not depart from it; they will grow up and become the artisans, d...

"His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Matthew 25:23" Devotion : Our Lord Jesus Christ made a remarkable statement here: well done, good and faithful servant. He exhorts us to be good and faithful servants over the little He has given to us.  When we appreciate and use the little He has given to us, He will give increase to our harvest. In the end He will make us rulers over many things and enter His joy.    Dear reader, what has the Lord Jesus Christ committed to your care? Try the best you can to be faithful with it, desist from comparing it to others and He will honor you. God bless you. Share your comments here! http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kjvstudybible.bible.kjv.bibleverses.bibleoffline

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16" Devotion : Light is an essential element in heaven and on earth. It reveals whatever has been covered by darkness; it gives our eyes the ability to see.   In other words, the earth is full of light because of the children of light. Our light is our good works. These includes good character, faithfulness, preaching the gospel, healing the sick, charity, demonstrating the power of God etc.    When people see these or benefit from them, they will surely glorify the Father in heaven.    Dear reader, how are you lighting your world? http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kjvstudybible.bible.kjv.bibleverses.bibleoffline

“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:16 (KJV) Love is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as a strong feeling of affection; it is also a great interest and pleasure in something.    The Bible’s definition of love goes beyond affection and interest in something—it is giving to others your time, attention, money, energy, etc. In other words, going beyond yourself to satisfy a need in the life of someone is the love of God.   Beloved, the greatest demonstration of love is what Jesus Christ did for mankind. He sacrificed His life for the sin of mankind (John 19:30). As a child of God, the love of God in you is seen when you sacrifice for others your time, money, energy, attention, counsel, etc.   When you meet the needs in the life of others, you will draw them closer to Christ Jesus; even if they are not born again, they will inquire of the God you serve, and you w...

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: Matthew 7:7" Devotion : Jesus Christ has given us his full assurance that any time we apply the principle of asking, seeking, and knocking, we will surely get answers. In this regard, God always says, "yes" to our requests when they fall in line with asking, seeking, and knocking. If we do not ask "amiss" ie for selfish use or to oppress -James 4:3 then we receive.  Dear reader, what do you want God to do for you? Apply the principle of asking, seeking, and knocking. http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kjvstudybible.bible.kjv.bibleverses.bibleoffline

"But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: Matthew 6:3" Devotion : It is a good thing to give alms, Jesus Christ said it is more blessed to give than to receive. Giving in secret is giving to God. If we give and announce it to the world, we are drawing attention to ourselves; and you will have no reward from God. However, when you give in secret you lend to God and God who sees in secret will reward you openly. The most high wants us to draw attention to Jesus Christ. In the kingdom of God we praise others and allow others to praise us. Also when we give alms we should expect the blessing from God and not to expect the receivers to give in return. Let us learn to give alms the right way and we will receive abundant blessings from God. God bless you. http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kjvstudybible.bible.kjv.bibleverses.bibleoffline

Good morning, thank you for your prayers and kind words yesterday. stay blessed.   "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; Matthew 5:44" Devotion : Jesus Christ brought a new and better order for us to follow. It is quite normal to hate your enemies, curse those who curse you, avoid those who hate you, and despise those who despitefully use and persecute you. But Jesus said to get a better and lasting result we need to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who despitefully use and persecute us. Jesus Christ himself is a good example of his own words when he prayed for those who crucified him on the cross. Dear reader, do you want to go the extra mile for greater blessings? Then consider the above scripture! http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kjvstudybible.bible.kjv.bibleverses.bibleoffline

It's my birthday today, so I decided to:  Title: Choose Love Over Hatred. “Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.” Proverbs 10:12 (KJV) Beloved, the New International Version quotes the opening scripture as “Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.”  Hatred is an intense dislike toward someone or thing. Love, on the other hand, is a strong feeling of affection toward someone or thing. Hatred and love do not move together; in other words, you either choose to hate or choose to love.  This is the choice the children of God must make in their relationship with God and their fellow brethren.   Beloved, when we choose to hate, we become a tool in the hand of the devil and his demons, to cause strife and conflicts among the brethren, disturbing the peace that we are to enjoy with one another. On other hand, when we choose love, we cover all sins and wrongs because we become a vessel in the hand of God to do good to all men, especially tho...

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33" Devotion : Jesus Christ is the true Son of God; He knows every detail of what pertains to the kingdom of God. He said as children of God we should seek the welfare of the kingdom of God: love God and His Word, be concern about His kingdom and avail ourselves for Him to use; being righteous is simply being like Jesus Christ of Nazareth. As we become kingdom minded, He said the houses, degrees, cars, family, money etc shall be added. In fact, they shall be a bonus package of life in His kingdom. What do you need in life as a child of God or a man without Christ? The key is, seeking His Kingdom and His righteousness. http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kjvstudybible.bible.kjv.bibleverses.bibleoffline

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:4 (KJV) Beloved, the world has not been at peace ever since mankind sinned in the person of Adam and Eve. The sin gave birth to pain, disease, suffering, wars, hunger, and, ultimately, the loss of power to the adversary called the devil.    Thanks be to God for sending Jesus Christ to defeat the devil and give the power that man lost to the church (Luke 10:19, Ephesians 1:22–23).  Even though the church has the power to overcome all pain, disease, suffering, and even death, due to ignorance of the Scriptures, many Christians have not taken advantage of the power they have. Such Christians may die in their misery and go to heaven.   Beloved, in heaven there is no sorrow, no death, and no crying because God will wipe away all tears and comfort the saints.   Dear...

"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12" Devotion : Some people spend their whole life and time memorizing the law and the prophets. This is good but Jesus Christ came to make it better; He put the law and the prophets in just a sentence. In simple terms, if you want others to treat you well be the first to treat them well; if you want evil to be your lot then keep perpetuating evil. http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kjvstudybible.bible.kjv.bibleverses.bibleoffline

"And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Matthew 17:20" Devotion : Jesus Christ compared faith to seed; it therefore means that for our faith to grow to maturity we must plant it, that is, we must use it. No matter how tiny our faith is, when we use it we will see the result. Jesus Christ is delighted to see His children living in faith.  You can demonstrate your faith by fasting and prayers and believe that God will answer your prayers. Remember He said "ask you shall receive, seek you shall find and knock it shall be opened unto you" Mathew 7: 7. If you truly believe and did not ask for sinful purposes then God will answer.  Stay focused and keep growing daily in faith. Stay safe and blessed.   Dear reader, to what extent have you been using your faith? Shar...

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16" Devotion : Jesus Christ is the light of the world and when He comes into your life, He transforms you into light for the world.   No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. Luke 11:33  No wonder He says let your light so shine.  It is the responsibility of the Christian to show forth all the good virtues that Christ Has planted in him or her.    The life style of the believer in Christ Jesus is the bible being read by the world and as they see the good works, they will definitely give God the glory.    Do you believe that you are the light of the world? http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kjvstudybible.bible.kjv.bibleverses.bibleoffline

“For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.” Psalms 61:3 (KJV) An enemy is simply someone who is seeking to injure, overthrow, or confound you. There are several of them that are waging war against the children of God. These include the devil and his cohorts of darkness. Beloved, there are enemies in the church as well as our household (Matthew 10:36). Beloved, the dangerous enemies are those in our household because they know us too well to destroy us. However, God is wiser than our enemies; therefore, He is a shelter for us and a strong tower against our enemies. This should call for celebration because we are serving a living God who has put all our enemies to shame (Colossians 2:15). Dear beloved, serve God faithfully so that all the different kinds of enemies fighting against you will continually bow before you and be bread for you (Numbers 14:9). Hallelujah! You are an overcomer! Prayer Point: LORD of Hosts, thank You for being a shelter for me and a ...

"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Matthew 21:22" Devotion : This is one example of scriptures that assures us that we can have all things.    We can have all things truly and even without stress if we "seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you". Mathew 6:33.  It is in seeking first the kingdom of God and standing firm in His righteousness that we develop our faith because if we don't know God we cannot believe God. Knowing God will help us grow in faith and ask for anything that is in line with His promise.   Even though the world teaches that resources are scarce and you cannot have everything we know and we do have all things bcos He who promises will always fulfill His promise especially when we believe that He can do it.       It is a poor mindset from the devil that we cannot have all things when our God says we can have all things. The o...

"And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee. Exodus 15:26" Devotion : The scripture has given us insight of how the children of God can avoid diseases and all forms of ailing situations.    The keys to avoid diseases are to 1)diligently hearken,  2)do right,  3)pay attention, and 4)keeping his Word.   First of all to diligently hearken is to listen to the Word of God with the aim of putting it to action. Secondly, doing right means acting on the Word of God the way He wants it to be done. Thirdly, paying attention is to listen to God in all details. Lastly, keeping his Word is to make conscious effort to retain the Word in our heart and mind. These four keys work hand in hand.    Jesus...

"Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Exodus 20:12" Devotion : God almighty is a good God to have put in place structures to enhance the welfare of the family. Without father and mother, there cannot be a family.   Almost everybody has a vision, therefore, in the midst of fulfilling your vision look back to appreciate your father and mother. God did not put a condition to honor them: the only reason to honour them is that they were a channel through whom you came to this earth.  Your parents might have not been supportive during your upbringing. Perhaps you were abandoned by them; forgive them and honour them. By so doing you will be able to enjoy the peace and blessings that God Has brought you into.    Dear reader, do you feel abandon by your parents? Have your parents been supportive? Either yes or no please honour them. Don't listen to those seers who said they were this or that. Do you...

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11" Devotion : The children of God can know the intention of God towards them: the intention is good, one of peace to give them an expected end.    The question is what is your expectation as a child of God? Is your expectation in sync with the scriptures? If your expectation is in line with God's Word then God will surely fulfill it.    Since our God is a great God let us have great expectations which are supported by the scriptures; and let us declare these scriptures continually and see how God bring them to pass.   Finally, we should have thoughts of peace toward one another as children of God.    Dear beloved, how big are your expectations? Kindly write your views in the personal notes section! http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kjvstudybible.bible.kjv.bibleverses.bibleoffline

Whom He did predestinate, them He also called. — Romans 8:30 In 2 Timothy 1: 9-10are these words—“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling.” Now, here is a touchstone by which we may try our calling. It is “an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace.” This calling forbids all trust in our own doings, and conducts us to Christ alone for salvation, but it afterwards purges us from dead works to serve the living and true God.   As He that hath called you is holy, so must you be holy. If you are living in sin, you are not called, but if you are truly Christ's, you can say, “Nothing pains me so much as sin; I desire to be rid of it; Lord, help me to be holy.” Is this the panting of thy heart? Is this the tenor of thy life towards God, and his divine will?    Again, in Philippians, 3:13, 14, we are told of “The high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Is then your calling a high calling? Has it ennobled your heart, and set ...

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16 (KJV) Beloved, there are so many types of prayer, and there are many forms of prayer. There is individual prayer and there is group or corporate prayer (Luke 6:12, Acts 4:23–31). There is also a family prayer, where all come together at the family altar to pray for each member and the entire family as a unit.    The heart desire of everyone praying is to see his or her prayer answered. To have an effective corporate or family prayer section, members should not hold bitterness or grudges against one another. Members should be free to confess their faults to one another and pray for one another so that healing can take place in their souls. Beloved, don’t hide any offense in your heart when you come together to pray—it will hinder the effectiveness of your prayer (Mark 11:25).     That is why it is good fo...

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12" Devotion : The apostle Paul who met Jesus Christ face to face on the journey to Damascus walked with Jesus Christ in his ministry and has come to realize that only in Jesus Christ can Salvation be found.     Jesus Christ is the only one born by virgin birth, only one to die on the cross for the sin of the world, the only one to resurrect from the dead, the only one to ascend to heaven and the only one to assure us He will come again.     All these prove that Jesus Christ is the giver of salvation and the only name that can save a person from eternal damnation.    Dear reader, are born again? Jesus Christ is waiting for you. He knocks on your door this morning saying SON COME TO ME AND BE SAVED. Rev. 3:20. http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kjvstudybible.bible.kjv.bibleverses.bibleoffline

"For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Acts 17:28" Devotion : Jesus Christ is a place in which Christians live: as His offspring we are expected to live, move, and be like Him. Anything less is not acceptable. The apostle Paul always found something to identify with about the people to whom he preached the gospel. Let us preach to save lives and not to condemn them. As Christians, we should be conscious of who we are, what we do, and where we are going. We must live, move, and be like Christ Jesus. Dear reader, are you glad in Christ Jesus? Share your views with other learners! http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kjvstudybible.bible.kjv.bibleverses.bibleoffline

"For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Proverbs 4:22" Devotion : The Word of God is filled with power to produce life and health in the believer in Christ Jesus.     Nonetheless, before one can receive the life and health in the scriptures one must first pay attention to the Word: to listen with rapt attention. Secondly, study the Word and see mental pictures of it. Finally, keeping it in your heart or making a conscious effort to memorize or meditate the scriptures.     When these three steps are concluded the power in the Word is released to produce life and healing in you. The life and health the Word produces are more than what any medicine can provide. The wish of every believer in Christ Jesus should be a strong desire to pursue divine health. Dear beloved, do you believe in divine health and why? http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kjvstudybible.bible.kjv.bibleverses.bibleoffline

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6"   Devotion : A child is a very young human being who comes into the world naive and have very little knowledge about his/her environment.    They are eager to learn and quickly adapt to their sphere of contact or environment. It is for this reason that they need to be trained so that they can develop good morals and skills to be useful to the society when they mature.    Since children are God's heritage He wants them to be trained in his Word because the way for them to go is right in the Word of God. The scriptures will teach them good and evil and how to choose good over evil. The scriptures will also teach them how to make good decisions and good choices; in fact, the scriptures will direct them in the right path toward God and humanity.   Parents who are the channel through whom the children came to the earth have a responsibility to ensure that th...

"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Proverbs 6:6" Devotion : Truly the wisdom of God is unsearchable; He has created many things for our learning.   The opening scripture throws light on one of those things which God has created to teach mankind knowledge.   To the sluggard or lazy person God created the ant to teach them knowledge so that by putting to practice that knowledge they can acquire wisdom for living. The ant does not have a leader but gathers food in the harvest so that she can provide herself food in the summer.    If an insect can live with this wisdom then a human being should do better. However, this is not always the case; that is why God tells the lazy to go to the ant and discern the principle behind hardwork and wealth creation. The ant is industrious and saves what she has gathered against a rainy day.    The Christian should also learn from the ant; he/she should be diligent with work, save from his...

"The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:1" Devotion : The scripture has given a comparison between the wicked and the righteous.    Christians who are the righteousness of God are to be conscious of who Christ Jesus has made them. They are also to know who Christ Jesus has made the wicked. Jesus Christ has made the righteous as bold as the lion but the wicked to flee when no one is pursuing them.   The Christian should never be afraid of the wicked in society because deep inside the wicked is a greater fear to flee from the righteous.    Dear beloved, do you feel afraid sometimes? Check yourself first and make sure you're obedient then keep declaring, "I am as bold as the lion" and that fear will disappear.    Kindly let us know your views  http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kjvstudybible.bible.kjv.bibleverses.bibleoffline

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. Proverbs 18:10" Devotion : The almighty God has numerous names and all these names are very strong. In the Old Testament names like Elohim, El-Shaddai, Yahweh, Jehovah etc. were revealed. All these names have unique meaning and gave the Israelites salvation of all kinds. Elohim means the creator; El-Shaddai means God Almighty, the source of all blessings; Yahweh/Jehovah means I Am Who I Am. In the New Testament, He revealed to us His new name in the person of Jesus Christ. At the mention of the name of Jesus Christ all knees bow; sicknesses and diseases are healed, devils and demons flee, salvation and deliverance are found in this name. Anyone who calls or runs to the name of Jesus Christ is saved. Every born again Christian lives in Jesus Christ, John 14:20. Jesus Christ is indeed a strong tower in whom the righteous lives, and to whom the unrighteous runs and is saved. Dear beloved, start ...

“And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.” Psalms 9:10 (KJV) The LORD is the creator and Father of all that He Has created. However, not all the things He has created acknowledge Him as a Father or have a personal relationship with Him. The devil, called satan, and his cohort of darkness, do not acknowledge the LORD as a Father. And likewise, they do not have any personal relationship with Him. They are on a rampage, deceiving people into giving glory to satan and rejecting the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (John 8:44). As a child of God, you need to spend time to know the name of the LORD and to have a personal relationship with Him. Through this, you will know what His needs are so that you can position yourself to fulfill His needs and be blessed. Dear beloved, if you have a very good personal relationship with God, you will not feel forsaken because He has said He will not leave you nor forsake...

"As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion. Proverbs 11:22" Devotion : What is the meaning of Discretion? - the quality of having or showing Discernment or Good judgement; quality of being discreet. In other words CIRCUMSPECTION.   Anyone who lacks discretion will definitely fall into a trap of sin, loose self esteem, loose glory and beauty.  A very good example is given in the opening passage above.  A Jewel connotes a precious thing in a swine's snout; a swine has no value for pearls. A swine by nature is not decent and no discretion for clean things.    Our Lord Jesus Christ confirmed this by saying that pearls should never be given to swine, Matthew 7:6.      Likewise a woman endowed with beauty without discretion; such are the women who use their beauty to engage in several vices such as prostitution, fornication, adultery, monopoly etc. A man too can use his wealth or position/power or handso...