ojaysjoel blog

For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37 KJV Devotion: To those who believe nothing is impossible as can be seen in several predictions in the Bible. God the Creator of heaven and earth is all knowing and all doing; with God nothing is impossible all we need to do is believe and patience.  Let's examine some Bible stories to confirm this.   Jesus’ life: This God-man would come from the lineage of David (Isaiah 9:7), and be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14) in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). He’d make the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, and the mute sing (Isaiah 35:5-6). He’d proclaim good news to the poor, comfort the brokenhearted, and set the captive free (Isaiah 61:1).   Jesus’ death: Though innocent (Isaiah 53:9), he’d be betrayed by a close friend (Psalm 41:9) for thirty pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12). He’d be despised and rejected (Isaiah 53:3), beaten and spit on (Isaiah 50:6), pierced in both the hands and feet (Psalm 22:16), and ultimately killed...

"Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise. Jeremiah 17:14" Devotion : The prophet Jeremiah walked with God, and in his walk with God, he developed a lifestyle of praising God. He actually made God his praise - that was how intimate he was with God. The blessings he derived from such a close and intimate relationship with God were healing and salvation.  When Apostle Paul and Barnabas praised God while in prison, they were delivered from prison supernaturally (Acts 16:25 - 30).  Dear beloved, move a step further in your relationship with God by making Him your praise, and see how God will bring healing to your spirit, soul, and body. He will also deliver you from the plans and attacks of the enemy. Hallelujah! Share your thoughts here! Please share the good news of Jesus Christ with your contacts by sharing this devotional with them. 

Psalm 113:3 KJV [3] From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same The LORD's name is to be praised. Devotion: Psalm 113 is a call to praise God by all peoples on earth; I'm blessed to be among the people who praise God and I will continue to. Sometimes back I lost my job and started dancing and singing songs of praise. A friend who came to console me thought I was insane but I told him I was fine.   The Bible says in all things or situations I should praise God (1 Thessalonians 5:18). God made it possible for me to become a doctor through scholarship and I know I'll secure another job which I did so why not praise him. Today my story is better, praise God.    When things do not go your way praise God, because he gave you life and your story will change for better tomorrow. If not, don't worry just continue to live in Christ and your Joy will be full. When lines fall in pleasant places for you praise God also.  There are billions of people on earth w...

Revelation 3:20 KJV [20] Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.  Devotion: In my culture it is a great honour to have the king come visit you at home. Such visit goes a long way to demonstrate the you are a respected member of the community.  It is a greater honour to have the king of kings, Lord of Lords at your door waiting for you to welcome him into your heart. This honour is different from the sense above in that this is grace when Jesus comes to you and says open your door for me. It is a sign of love of the father of fathers who does not want his child to perish but to be saved from eternal perdition.   This day Jesus beckons to you to open the door or your heart to Him, He wants to live with you, to save you and turn your life around for good. Would you not rather open the door for him? Tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6 verse 2). I urge you to...

Galatians 5:14 KJV [14] For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  Devotion: What God requires of you and me that Paul tries to explain in the verse above is do unto others what you will normally do for yourself. In other words regard others as extension of your life. A normal person will not wake up and harm himself or decide not to nourish his body unless he is fasting. If you will not harm yourself do no harm to others, if you'll nourish your body nourish others.  Now the question is who is my neighbour? My neighbour is absolutely anybody I can help in one important way out another. Someone I can sacrificially give a helping hand just as Jesus did for me. My neighbour could be next door or some stranger I meet on the road. The Jewish man's neighbour was a Samaritan who Jews will not normally relate with.   To fulfill this law we have to imitate Jesus Christ in all our actions - kindness, love, showing mercy, ...

Ephesians 5:1 KJV [1] Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;  Devotion: Just like a child learns and grows by observing and imitating their family and surroundings, we too can learn from God and become more like Him. The way we live our lives has a profound impact on those around us, especially our children. They absorb our values, attitudes, and actions, and will likely adopt them as their own. Therefore, it's crucial that we model godly behavior and teach our children the ways of God through daily devotions, prayer, and instruction. Once the children imbibes the act of reading and praying they will not depart from it.   As we disciple our children and show them the love of God, they will be more likely to follow in His ways and become compassionate, stable, and loving individuals. It's never too early or too late to start teaching them, and we can always learn and grow alongside them. Let's strive to imitate our Lord Jesus Christ and reflect His character in ...

"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; Romans 5:3" Devotion : In continuation of yesterday's topic we will discuss one of the stages a child of God must pass through. It should not be seen as punishment but a training period necessary to achieve the higher ground to reach the heavenly goal.   One of the best moments of every child of God is the day he or she became born again. It is a day when your heart is glad and rejoices because you are saved by Jesus Christ for eternal life so that you can have fellowship with the Father and be called a child of God.   During the course of your relationship with God, you will go through tribulations. There are many of them, and they are unique to every child of God; it is a training that God gives His children so that they can be empowered to endure the difficult times in life.  Find a way to rejoice in the midst of the tribulations because of what they will produce ...

Matthew 5:10 KJV [10]  Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for their's is the kingdom of heaven. Devotion: The Yorùbá of Nigeria has a saying that "the righteous has no home" this means a righteous person is hated by all(all unrighteous). Looking at the contemporary situation in Nigeria now everyone who has access to social media criticizes the federal government but when you check their lives they are also guilty. Hypocrites they are, most are very corrupt, peddle influence, take bribe and manipulate books to steal money. The few uncompromising officers in any government office are bullied, called names and neglected. They are denied their rights as punishment for not allowing graft.  If you serve God truthfully you'll be persecuted but you should remember Jesus himself was persecuted. If you have not been called names because of Jesus you need to examine yourself. It means you're still doing what they do.That is why the Yorùbá agai...

Romans 5:3-5 KJV [3] And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; [4] and patience, experience; and experience, hope: [5] and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.  Devotion: Nobody enjoys suffering. It’s hard to find joy in the midst of trials or difficult seasons—it’s much easier to feel sadness or misery.   That’s why Paul’s encouragement in Romans 5 may sound contradictory. Paul was writing this to the church in Rome experiencing suffering from ungodly rulers, and yet he encourages them to rejoice in their suffering.   It wasn’t enough to just endure suffering he tells them to have joy. Paul knew that it wasn’t natural to be joyful in hard times, but through the work of Jesus, Christians have peace with God and access to faith (Romans 5:1-2). Faith allows us to hold onto the hope that suffering isn’t the end of our story.  ...

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Devotion : God is good, and He is always thinking about the welfare of His children as well as His creation. When mankind fell into sin in the persons of Adam and Eve, He crafted a plan to rescue mankind.    Jesus Christ was born by the mighty hand of God and thus carried the genes of the Father. In the fullness of time, Jesus Christ sacrificed His life to save mankind from sin so that we can have the privilege of fellowshipping with the Father once again.  We must thank the Father always for His wonderful gift to mankind.    Dear beloved, let someone know about the love of the Father through the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ so that they can also taste and testify that our God is full of so much love for mankind.   This is the reason I am calling on you dear readers to came to Jesus;...

Matthew 6:33 KJV [33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Devotion: In the sermon on the Mount Jesus teaches us to live a life of dedication to the things of God. He observes that many people are preoccupied with daily living activities instead of the work of God. Considering the present financial crisis in several countries many people really have to struggle to make ends meet thus reducing the time spent with God.  In the verse of the day Jesus teaches us that God knows our needs and will meet it if we first do God's will. This is confirmed in another Bible verse that says "It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones" (Psalm 127:2)NLT. It is not how much work we do that gives increase but blessings come from God.   I therefore urge you to give your life to Christ and live a life of obedienc...

Joel 2:12-13 KJV [12] Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: [13] and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.  Devotion: Our God is a merciful God, he is slow to anger because He wants us to repent of our evil ways. Approximately the weeks ago I took my car for repair and something got missing from it. The car could not be fixed, yet I paid for the work. The man caused anger when I asked for the missing part by saying he knew nothing about it and I should go an do whatever I liked. I flared up and said some threatening words as if I actually could arm him spiritually. I was totally embarrassed that I voiced such words and instantly the Spirit of God convicted me. I was restless until I prayed and profusely apologized to the man. I sent text message and asked ...

1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV [13] There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Devotion: The word temptation means enticement to do wrong eg to steal, to covet, to gossip, to be jealousy etc. These are sins common to human race. Sometimes we do it unconsciously while some deliberately commit some of these sins. It always start from a small thought deep in the heart of mankind. An example is a banker who needs money for the weekend. He balances the books but the cash will not tally because he believes in few days he'll get money from another source. Alas, he will not and he will be disgraced. If asked he will say he was tempted. Doing wrong is innate behavior of mankind because we inherited it from Adam and Eve but not everyone sins. If you have given your life to Christ he will definitely help you t...

Mark 9:24  Immediately, the child's father exclaimed with tears, "Lord, I believe! Please help me overcome my doubts!" Devotion Have you ever prayed about a situation, yet still struggled with uncertainty about God's ability to resolve it? You're not alone! Even after demonstrating faith through prayer, it's normal to experience lingering doubts.   Like the father described in the scripture above you may face situations where you trust God but still fear He won't come through. Don't worry; it's human to doubt. Keep praying, and ask God to strengthen your faith. Surrender your doubts to Him, and seek His guidance and strength.   Remember, doubt doesn't mean you lack faith; it means you're willing to be honest and seek help. So, keep trusting, keep praying, and know that God's love and grace will meet you in your uncertainty.  Testimony awaits you if you persist in prayers. Happy Sunday.   Please feel free to share this devotional with yo...

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6" Devotion : Worrying has become part and parcel of man because of our fallen nature. Before man fell in the Garden of Eden, anxiety and worries were nowhere to be found in the dictionary of man. God, being so good, has given us antidotes to all our worries. These antidotes are prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving.  Arm yourself with prayer; it is the tool you have to commune with God to lay all your anxiety before Him. Say all your prayers earnestly and humbly, and above all, create an atmosphere of thanksgiving for yourself. Then you will soon see peace coming to you.  The atmosphere of thanksgiving creates joy in your life and attracts people who are the helpers God is going to bring around you. Very soon all the help you need will be supplied, and you will have a reason to give God the glory. Hallelujah! Share your comments he...

Judges 18 : 5  And they said unto him, Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God, that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous. Devotion: Counsel is an advice given as a result of consultation. It is not forced on a person but it is born out of a discussion on which all sides of an issue is well considered and the counselee is allowed to make a decision.  Spiritual counsel is a consultation with the prophet of God who prays and seeks the face of God in a matter and then makes known to the counselee God's position. In the verse above the children of Israel sought to know the will of God before embarking on a mission.  Young Christians are expected to seek counsel from mature successful Christian elders on matters that may affect their lives permanently, an example marriage or  carrier choice. The elder will pray with them, teach them and guide them from the word of God and allow them to make a choice. This is also a parental function to their growing child...

"I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. John 10:9" Devotion : Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God. God expressed Himself in the person of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ because He is a Spirit and could not relate to human beings in His divine nature without becoming like one of us.    If you are born again, you become the sheep of God; Jesus Christ is the good shepherd of God's sheep. He is also the door to the sheepfold, which means that we are safe and secure from anything that desires to harm us. It also means that every good thing we desire can be found in Him.   Even more importantly, Jesus Christ is the door to eternal life because He sacrificed His life for the whole world. Therefore, if you want eternal life, which is the life of the Father, you can only get it when you accept Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of your life.  Do all you can to not miss the door, and when you hav...

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: (Deuteronomy 30:19) Devotion: Today's scripture, Deuteronomy 30:19, reminds us that our choices have consequences. The Israelites in the wilderness often struggled with making good decisions, but Moses encouraged them to choose life and blessing. As parents, we can learn from this by teaching our children the ways of God and guiding them in making wise choices, especially when it comes to their education and career paths.  A Word of Advice: In today's challenging job market, it's crucial to make informed decisions about our future. Encourage your children to pursue in-demand fields like healthcare, which can lead to instant employment and global opportunities.   A Spiritual Reminder: Our choices extend beyond the physical realm. We must also make intentional decisions about our eternal destiny. ...

Proverbs 16:9 (KJV) says, 'A man's heart deviseth his way: But the LORD directeth his steps.'  Devotion: Today's devotion reminded me of a prayer point I was about to share with my children: 'Lord, order my footsteps' (Psalm 32:8). Looking back on my life, I realize how God directed my steps. I had always dreamed of becoming an engineer or architect, even spending a year studying architecture in college. However, God had other plans. He provided a scholarship for me to study medicine abroad, which was a mix of sadness and joy. I tried to change my course to architecture again, but God said no. Now, I see why God led me to study medicine. If I hadn't, I wouldn't have met my wonderful wife and had our beautiful children. I also think about the countless lives I've touched as a doctor in the village where I practiced. I worked in challenging conditions, improvising to save lives, operating on patients, and even donating my own blood. If I weren't a ...

James 1:2-3 KJV [2] My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; [3] knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  Devotion: In the midst of a world shrouded in darkness, where tribulations and trials assail us from every side, James' words whisper a haunting truth: 'My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations...' (James 1:2-3, KJV). For in the depths of these spiritual crucibles, our faith is tested, refined, and transformed. Note five eerie echoes from James' ghostly sermon: - First, troubles are an inevitability, a when, not an if. Our world, a realm of shadows, is broken and awaiting redemption. - Second, all troubles, regardless of their origin, hold a strange power - the power to unlock joy. - Third, hardships are the crucibles where faith is tested, revealing the depths of our souls. God may not author every challenge, but He weaves them into a tapestry of refinement. - Fourth, joy, a ghostly presence...

"In him, we have confidence that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." - 1 John 5:14 Devotion:  Where does your confidence lie? Is it in your wealth, power, position, or relationships? As a child of God, our confidence should be rooted in Him alone.   True confidence comes from knowing that God hears us when we pray according to His will. But how can we know His will? By searching the Holy Scriptures and seeking His plan for our lives.   God has a master plan for everything He has made, and He desires to fulfill it through us. When we align our lives with His will, we can experience true fulfillment and blessing.   Let's shift our confidence from earthly things to God alone. Let's seek His will and pray with confidence, knowing that He hears us. Reflection Questions: - Where does your confidence currently lie? - How can you seek God's will and plan for your life? - What steps can you take to align your life with His purpose?    Share your ...

"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2" Devotion : God is a personal being and relates to each of us on a personal level because He made each of us to be unique. A typical example is each person's unique fingerprint; everyone has a unique fingerprint that is different from other fingerprints.  The prophet Isaiah related to God on a personal level. To him, God was his salvation, strength, and song - salvation to rescue him from his enemies and all that was opposing him in this world; strength to give him divine health to stay strong to do the work God had committed to him; and a song to celebrate the Lord in worship and praise Him for who He is and what He had done for him.  Dear beloved, who is God to you? Let God also be your salvation, strength, and song. He should be the only one you can trust. Do not be afraid, and He will reward you openly. Hallelujah!...

Philippians 2:13 KJV [13] For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.  Devotion: God, the Creator of the universe created you and I and placed us on the most suitable for human life planet - earth. Some may think it is by accident but I know that it is not but by special design, for a specific purpose that we are on earth at this particular time. That I'm in Nigeria and you're in another place is by God's design for a purpose.  Let's look at the amplified Bible translation to grasp the full meaning of the verse above. Philippians 2:13 AMP says "For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure." Whatever good we are doing let us acknowledge that it is God who gives us the strength, the desire(will) to carry out that which He wants.   To the ...

2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV)I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Devotional Thought: When Saul, later known as Paul, converted from Judaism to Christianity, he remained resolute in his faith despite facing persecution, imprisonment, snake bites, and shipwrecks. He never looked back, and this steadfastness enabled him to encourage Timothy to remain firm in Christ. Remember when we first surrendered our lives to Christ? We were filled with enthusiasm and eagerness to learn more about Him. We attended Bible classes, prayer sessions, and even went on mission trips to share God's Word. However, as time passed, the fervor of many began to wane. Life's struggles and challenges dampened their spirits. Pride took hold of some, making them reluctant to preach in villages again. Sadly, others have completely backslidden and now worship other gods. Paul's example inspires us to stand strong in Christ until the very end. Will we follow his lead and rema...

Matthew 19:26 says, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Devotion: While this verse is often used to encourage us to ask God for anything we want, its original context reveals a deeper meaning. Jesus said this in response to the disciples' question, "Who can be saved?" after a rich young man failed to give up his earthly possessions to follow Jesus. The point is that loving Jesus requires total surrender, and we can't earn our salvation through our own efforts. However, with God's power and work through Jesus, salvation becomes possible.  This verse can also be applied to everyday life, where we face seemingly impossible situations. The Bible is full of examples of God doing the impossible, like parting the Red Sea and feeding 5,000 people with minimal food. When we face difficulties, we can ask God to do the impossible and trust in His power to work miracles.  Reflect on what might be holding you back from fully trusting ...

James 1:12 KJV  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.  Devotion: Contrary to popular belief, the Bible doesn't guarantee a trouble-free life. Instead, it reveals that followers of Christ often face persecution, attacks, and various trials. In James 1:12, we're reminded that perseverance through trials leads to spiritual refinement and ultimately, the "crown of life" promised to those who love God. When we view trials as opportunities to become more like Jesus, we can find blessing in them. Reflecting on past difficulties, we may see how God used them to deepen our character and expand our capacity. Even in the midst of current challenges, God is working behind the scenes to transform us. Take heart in James' words and the promise of a heavenly reward. While earthly rewards aren't guaranteed, our eternal hope in Jesus empowers us to endure presen...

Hebrews 11:1 KJV Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  Devotion: Faith is the foundation of our lives, connecting us to eternal life and shaping our destiny. Yet, exercising faith can be challenging. The book of Hebrews teaches us that faith starts with trusting in our hopes and being assured of things unseen. This may seem paradoxical, but faith requires us to believe in something beyond our control. If we could see or measure it, faith wouldn't be necessary.   For example, we believe God created the world, despite not being present at the event. Similarly, Jesus promises eternal life to those who believe in Him, but we must trust that He will fulfill this promise. Faith is the conviction that God's promises will come to pass and that Jesus' words are true.   Scripture shows us that many individuals waited patiently for God to fulfill His promises, even when they didn't see the outcome in their lifetime. They demonstrated fai...

Jeremiah 17:7-8   Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. Devotion:  In Jeremiah 17, God confronts Israel's idolatry and outlines the consequences of their disbelief in the God who freed them from Egyptian slavery. Verses 5-6 warn of the fate of those who trust in humans, while verses 7-8 describe the blessings awaiting those who trust in God, likening them to a tree planted by a river. Such trees remain green even in dry seasons and bear fruit in due time.   In times of hardship, who do you trust? This decision determines your outcome. As for me and my household, we have chosen to trust God through His son Jesus Christ, just as Joshua declared in Joshua 24:15. We have never been disappointed...

Joshua 1:9 reminds us, "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." Devotion: In this scripture, God urges Joshua to find strength and courage, reassuring him of His constant presence. Joshua, overwhelmed by Moses' passing, needed encouragement to assume leadership and lead God's people to the promised land. Similarly, God has not given up on you! He is always with you, ready to guide and support you. Just as Joshua eventually took courage and led the people to victory, you too can rise to leadership roles in your community or church. To do so, prepare yourself spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Be knowledgeable in God's Word and stay open to His guidance. When called to lead, respond with an attentive spirit and act on God's Word. Celebrate your victories, knowing God is always with you. Share your thoughts and reflections!