ojaysjoel blog

"As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. Psalm 103:15" Devotion : The psalmist came to a point in his life where he began to understand that life is short. He compared the human life to the grass and flowers of the field. In essence, when you are aware that life on Earth is short, you put forth your very best to live a fulfilled life-a life of knowing God and the Lord Jesus Christ and living to please them.  Finding God's purpose for your life should be your priority. Once you have found it, live it to the fullest, knowing that you will have to give an account for your stewardship of it.    There is a way to prolong your days: to fear God and depart from evil (Proverbs 10:27). Let's cheer up and live a fulfilled life unto the Lord. Hallelujah! Share your thoughts here. http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kjvstudybible.bible.kjv.bibleverses.bibleoffline

Genesis 13:10-11  And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. Devotion: In this life we all have had to make a choice, in fact several choices on seemingly innocuous matter. We often don't think deep on the consequences of our choices. A simple matter such as choosing  a car, school or church can  have generational impact that can either be positive or negative.  Looking at the story of Lot from the passage above he chose the fertile land in the plain of Jordan. A right choice one would think, but there was Sodom and Gomorrah towns filled with sinful persons marked for destruction by God. Lot even made his tent near Sodom and later moved with him family into the to...

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Isaiah 40:3 KJV Devotion: Isiah is one of the major prophets of God, he is a word of God and he prophesied about the future coming of Christ. He warned the nation Israel to prepare to receive Christ, though it was many centuries before Christ the Messiah came. But the prophecy was fulfilled by John the Baptist.    John, the son of Zechariah the priest, was that lone voice crying in the wilderness, urging his countrymen to repent of their sin and to, "prepare ye the way of the Lord." John the Baptist was the person ordained by God to make His paths straight and declare the arrival of the King of Israel to a nation that needed to repent from centuries of idolatry and sin.   Today Jesus is calling on you and me to go ye (Matt 28 vs 19) to preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to every part of the world. Are you ready, I'm I ready? The time i...

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10 KJV Devotion: This teaching is very important for any disciple of Jesus Christ especially new converts like the Galatians. You have been saved solely to safe others (Matt 28 vs 19). One way to do this is doing good to others thereby unbelievers will see your good and ask to join you therefore you will have opportunity to win them for Christ.   Solomon in his godly wisdom said in Proverb 3:27 "Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act" this is a very true teaching to follow. In the physical or secular jobs as you have opportunity you need to assist those deserving and be a good example for others to follow. On your street be a good Christian by reaching out to the less privilege. The still good clothes that you no longer use can keep some people warm, give it out. The indigent child will benefit from a scholarsh...

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts of Apostles 1:8 Devotion : There is a very good reason why every Christians need the power of the Holy Spirit. When Apostle Peter received the power of the Holy Spirit, he could not deny Jesus Christ any longer. Instead, he was emboldened to preach for Jesus Christ and was prepared to die for Him. The Holy Spirit empowers the believer in Christ Jesus to witness for Christ and be bold to live for Christ. When you are born again, ask for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Because the Holy Spirit is already in you, you can ask Him to empower you to minister for Him, and He will do it. The initial sign is prophesying and speaking in tongues. After you have been filled, go out and witness for Jesus Christ, starting with your family or neighbors. As you do that, He will give you mo...

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. Psalm 23:6 KJV Devotion: Among Nigerian Christian it is common to recite this verse after prayers either corporate or individual prayers. People just recite it mindlessly, I say mindlessly because many recite it and go straight to sinful life.    People who are very corrupt in office, play church politics and therefore close their eyes on the sinful nature of church members still recite the verse. Many people one can describe as tenants in the house of devil will say "And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever".    The house of God is a place of purity, you have to be blameless, live a life of total obedience before you're admitted there. Some will say that God lives in us but then good will not in the body of a sinful person; so it's the same purity must prevail either way.   Dear reader, where do you want to live? House of God? Then co...

Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, And that seek him with the whole heart. Psalm 119:2 KJV Devotional: In this long psalm we are thought many things that will improve our lives in the physical and spiritual. The psalmist tells us the four different ways to find happiness: obey God’s decrees, search for Him with all your heart, do not compromise with evil, and walk only in His paths. We are to do these with diligence, no half measure, not at our convenience but always and totally.  Man always seek pleasure through other means that the world offers but the happiness found in the world is so fleeting and unsatisfactory and the end result is life of sorrow, sadness and trouble. There is only one way to truly be happy, and that is found in the Lord. The devil does not give anything free he must take something in return. What he takes is always more than what he gave initially.    Dear reader, obeying God is not an option; it’s a necessity if you really want to be happ...

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15 KJV Devotion: The passage above is the single most important command of Jesus Christ to all believers all over the world to preach the Gospel and save human kind from eternal damnation. The message is clear, precise and it is meant to save human being.   It is not to be preached to animals for they have no knowledge of good and bad, not for angels because they are denied the privilege. The message says "to every creature" here the word creature means the one in the likeness of God. The human is the only creature all others things God commanded to be and they exist. The Bible in Genesis 1:27  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.   We as image of God need to be saved from eternal damnation because we sinned through Adam and Eve, but God sent His son Jesus Christ to save us John 3:16. If we are truly Jesus' ...

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, And into his courts with praise: Be thankful unto him, and bless his name. Psalm 100:4 KJV Devotion:  Yesterday's title "Praise God Always" is rightly followed by today's " "Enter His gates with Thanksgiving". In our culture it is expected that when someone does good to you, you appreciate the good by giving the benefactor a gift.    God is our benefactor, protector, Deliverer, helper, healer, Lover and giver of life. God is not a man, He does not eat human food that we will give Him chocolate or cards or other gifts. God does not demand money from us, all He wants is our Thanksgiving.  We don't have any other duty to God than to thank Him in total reverence, obedience and He will do more for us here and gift us with eternity in the hereafter.   Dearly beloved, go to God this morning with Thanksgiving and Praise. Bless His Holy name. Testimony awaits you but don't forget to thank in Him. Hallelujah!  By Jo...

Devotion: That you and I are alive again this morning is enough to praise God. That you're healed of your sickness, your financial situation or delivered from forces of darkness are some of the reasons to Praise God.   Dear reader, find a reason to praise God this morning. Sing along with me, if you don't know the song just read the words of it loudly. Testimony awaits you as you do. Hallelujah.  By Joel Olanrewaju, visit us at ojaysjoel.blogspot.com. for more devotionals. Hymn 069 - How sweet the name of Jesus sounds L.M. The Lord's name is to be praised. Ps. 113:3 1 f How sweet the name of Jesus sounds, Blessed be the name of the Lord; It soothes my sorrows heals my wounds, Blessed be the name of the Lord; Blessed be the name, blessed be the name, Blessed be the name of the Lord; Blessed be the name, blessed be the name, Blessed be the name of the Lord. 2 It makes the wounded spirit whole, Blessed be the name of the Lord; 'Tis manna to the hung...

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17 KJV Devotion: Our heavenly father created everything on earth for us His regent to use for our good. God made everything perfect and blameless. He created the great lights - sun to rule by day, to give perfect light and warmness, Moon by night for a cool light at time of refreshing and the stars.  All God's creation are perfect and everlasting, His creations do not change (vary) they fulfill the purpose of their creation. But man fell out with God because of sin yet God made a way of escape for us because with God there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. He gave His son Jesus Christ as propitiation for our sins.   He is the immutable God Who is eternally unchanging, never altering in His character, never failing in His promises, and never ceasing in His goodness and love towards us - for every good gift...

bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. Luke 6:28 KJV Devotion: This is one of the early teaching of Jesus to his disciples, humanly speaking it is hard to practice and even comprehend but not impossible. The material below is from the internet and it explains the topic adequately.   "It is one thing to bless or pray for someone who is doing good to you, but to bless or pray for those who curse you is very different. To curse ( kataromenous ) is to cause harm or to persecute (as in  Matthew 5:44 ). Jesus is telling His listeners that the way to respond to one who seeks to harm us is to pray for his good.   Obviously, if we are motivated by self-interest, we would never pursue the good of our enemies. But Jesus is challenging His listeners to work from truly selfless love and concern for  the other . When we are acting for the benefit of someone else—even when it is undeserved—an incredible side benefit is that we ourselves are bl...

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. John 14:21 KJV Devotion: "Having Christ’s commandments and keeping them: they must both concur to make a true indication of our love to Christ. It is possible that men may have Christ’s commandments in their ears, in their notion, in their mouths, and yet not keep them; they may hear them, they may know and remember them, they may talk of them, yet they may not keep them; for keeping them denotes universal, diligent and industrious, steady and constant obedience to them; and this alone will speak our love to Christ.   And if any man thus declareth his love to Christ, Christ declareth, that both he and his Father will take a pleasure and delight in him to do him good; and he shall not live only under the real benefits of his love to him, but under the sensible manifestations of it." Matthew Poole.   Th...

And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. [Isa. 2:2, 3; Jer. 3:17.]  Isaiah 60:3 AMPC Devotion: In the Bible there were three significant prophecy to Jerusalem (read the passages above) on its future. All has been fulfilled.  Let's examine the importance of Jerusalem: "There is no city on earth that can compare in value to Jerusalem. While believers revere Jerusalem’s significance as the city  where Jesus walked , was crucified and rose from the dead, it was valuable to the Lord long before the time of Jesus. With over 800 references to Jerusalem in the Bible, one can learn a lot about it. There is only reason that this city has seen such spiritual and physical conflict since the beginning of time; God Himself has chosen this earthly city to dwell in and to establish His name among men". (Doug Hershey) Jerusalem is the controversial capital of today's Israel and spiritual capital of both Judaism and Christianity. Millions visit ...

"He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. Luke 6:48" Devotion : Jesus Christ compared those who do what He says to a wise builder who built his house on the rock. In other words, the foundation of the building determines both the strength and lifespan of the building.   Jesus Christ is the rock of ages on which we ought to build our lives. He said if we do His Word, we are wise builders. The wise builder is ready to face the floods and storms of life - which represent the challenges, trials, and difficulties of life - without being shaken by them. He is certain that life is not all rosy, and therefore His disciples must come to terms with this and prepare themselves to face life; He is expecting nothing but success from them.    Dear beloved, what foundation are you building your life on? ...

Matthew 12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Devotion: I just watched the Dallas airshow in which multiple aircrashes occured. In the background some filthy words were utterred by the amateur video clip maker. She said "oh my f..king God". It is common place to hear "oh my gosh", I don't know what this means but certainly it is not edifying to hear such from children of God.   I begin to wonder where these filthy words come from. It definitely shows lack of knowledge of the biblical injunction not to use filthy words - Ephesians 5:4 "Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving". People think these words are jokes but it is not.  Proverb 4:24 Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you, why because it shows who you are from the inside no matter how much you pretend. This is what Jesus says in Matt ...

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2 KJV Devotion:Paul echoed the same message in Col 3:2 above. Remember Paul and other passengers in the merchant ship lost everything to storm thus he had first hand experience of how material things can just perish in a single moment. The more things we have, the more our things seem to have us. We start to organize our lives around them and spend money to maintain them.  Reason to keep our things in heaven: First, Jesus tells us to do it, and what God’s Son says goes. It’s a matter of obedience.  Second, treasures in heaven are clearly treasures that last. We live in a passing world with passing fancies. Recently there was heavy flodding in Nigeria and many other places; lots of people lost billions of dollars worth of property. Treasures in heaven are treasures that no one can take from your car, bank account, wallet or house and storm cannot destroy.   Third, the right kind of treasure-seekin...

https://youtu.be/1pDaaNAhJNk Matthew 24:50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, Devotion: When the day off the Lord shall come where will you meet yourself. Will you be able to tell your family and friends that we shall meet on the shore again?  I want you to consider this questions because once the Bell tolls you cannot make any amends again. The time maybe long in coming, it maybe short as well because it says in 2 Cor 6:2 "now is the appointed time"   May good give us grace to live long and return to Him and Live for Him in Jesus name.  Dearly beloved let's have your thoughts on this matter. Cheers. Shalom   By Joel Olanrewaju visit us at ojaysjoel.blogspot.com city more devotionals.

I sought the LORD, and he heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: And their faces were not ashamed. Psalm 34:4‭-‬5 KJV Devotion: I want to discuss 1 Samuel 30:1-6, we are to consider a period in David’s life when he was plunged into great distress and trouble, and we shall see what he did in his time of trouble and how wonderfully the Lord undertook for him. Trouble is no respecter of persons (Job 5:7; 14:1). Maybe you are passing through a time of trouble now? If so, there is help in this study for you; and if you are not in the midst of trouble today, here is ministry in advance which will prepare you for some future day, for trouble comes to us all, and it is a good thing when we know what to do in a time of trouble. Notice, from 1 Samuel 30:1-6, that David's trouble was real.   Does yours have to do with some great loss in your life (verse 1); is it connected with your loved ones (verse 3); is it so great that you have wept until ...

And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 KJV Devotion: The Bible has a great deal to say about love. In fact, the Bible says that “love is of God” and “God is love” ( 1 John 4:7–8 ); in other words, love is a fundamental characteristic of who God is. Everything God does is impelled and influenced by His love.   The Bible uses several different words for “love” in the Hebrew and Greek, interchanging them depending on context. Some of these words mean “affectionate love”; others indicate “friendship”; and still others, “erotic, sexual love.” There is also a distinct word for the type of love that God displays. In the Greek, this word is  agape , and it refers to a benevolent and charitable love that seeks the best for the loved one.   It is this agape love that God has for you and me, therefore God does not want us to perish. He, thus looked away from your sins, my sins and makes a way of escape f...

1 Samuel 16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. Devotion: There's a saying that winners do not quit but losers quit. Such is the story of David which is well known to you and me. He was anoited king over Israel at age between 16-19 years, according to the passage above but Saul was reigning at that time.  David was a warrior even from his shepherd boy days and he became immensely popular when he killed Goliath. King Saul was afraid and jealous of David and he wanted to kill David who became a fugitive and lived in caves. David twice had opportunities to kill Saul but because he feared God he did not lay his hand on God's anoited. If it was you what would you do?   David's time came when Saul and son Jonathan (David's friend) was killed in a war but he chose to reign in Hebron as king of Judah because Ishboseth son of Sau...

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7 KJV Devotion: We live in orderly society governed by laws and regulations which must be obeyed. If you failed to obey one of the laws you're sanctioned but if you obey the law you have no fear and these are human laws. These set of laws can vary from place to place and time to time and you may not be aware. Thus you're panicky and if perchance you break the law you look foolish.  But the law of God are perfect and do not change from place to place or time to time. By giving your life to Christ and reading the Bible you become conversant with the law; the Holy Spirit guides you too live a life of total obedience and gives you joy. The joy comes because you have reward for obedience to the perfect law of God both here and hereafter.  Dearly beloved, be wise obey the perfect law of God and have joy. Do you have any thoughts or concerns please let's know. H...

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9 KJV Devotion: A Yoruba saying says "If you do one good and it is not profitable to you, then it definitely has wicked motif" The believe is that whatever good done will yield some form of good return.    So as a disciple of God, you're encouraged to continue doing good to others this morning, there is no room to be weary. Your reward comes very soon. In living for Christ there's no room to look back, no matter the situation. Life of total obedience must continue in ministry of giving, teaching, counseling etc no slacking. At the right time which only God knows your harvest will be ripe.   If you're not doing well yet I admonish you to have a change of heart today and start doing well because if perchance you you remain in the awkward status of evil doing your reward will also catch up with you. Revelation 22:12.  Dearly beloved, how are you doing? Time is not on ...

Give us this day our daily bread. Matthew 6:11 KJV Devotion: A prayer is a communication with God that demonstrate our faith in God. It shows our believe that He can do whatever we ask of Him and often time God does whatever we ask Him to do.   A very simple and important prayer is to ask God for our daily bread because that's is all that matters, once provided other things like shelter and clothing will follow. Health is assured if we eat good food and then we will have strength. If we have strength we can work and be blessed thus God would have fulfilled his promise to bless the labours of our hands. Read Deuteronomy 28:12  The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, " and to bless all the work of thine hand": and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.   Any other things(wants) especially luxury things out of food, shelter and clothing are wants, God is at liberty to provide it or not ...

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. Ecclesiastes 4:9 KJV Devotion: The words of wisdom aptly describe what happens to a person living alone and what will happen if he has a partner or two.  Nigerians were shocked at the story of a man who lived alone in a big compound. This man died on his bed and was not discovered untill four years later when reptiles from his overgrown compound started invading the neighborhood.   I urge everyone living alone this morning to make arrangement to get a partner or house help. God does not support living alone, He gave Adam help meet in Eve, He established the institute of Marriage. Further God said through the words of wisdom in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 I quote "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie toget...

Colossians 1:13  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: Devotion: Paul heard of the love and faith of the Colossians from Epaphras and decided to pray for them to continue in faith and grow in it. It is a good thing to believe Christ but as young believer you need prayer support to grow and become matured Christian.   This is important when we evangelize to look back and visit the young converts regularly, pray for and with them. It is also important to hand them over to a mature Christian leader who will guide them under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. If these steps are not taken most the people will backslide. May we not labour in vain.   Even in our secular jobs we need to teach and nurture future leaders otherwise the business may collapse.   Dearly beloved, have you been evangelizing, make sure to follow up with the new converts, nurture them to maturity. Share your experience w...

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18 KJV. Devotion: One electronic company named their products LG, which I found out that it means Life is Good. Truly this life is good especially for the wealthy and secured. Most are so rich that they forget the hereafter aka eternity. Whatever material things or property we amass on earth will definitely become outdated, consumed by fire, destroyed by storm.   In the gospel according to Saint John 14:2  Jesus says "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you". If we truly believe in Christ Jesus then then we should aspire to live with Him in this Mansion where fire or storm have no effect. No matter how long a person lives the hereafter is longer.   The coming Glory is just incomparable with this life. So while we enjoy this life we should be mindful of our eterni...