ojaysjoel blog

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 message of the gospel is one of profound love, sacrifice, and redemption. It is the good news that stems from the finished work of Christ on the cross of Calvary. As the prophet Isaiah declared, "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). This verse encapsulates the heart of the gospel—Jesus Christ, who was without sin, bore the weight of our transgressions and suffered in our place so that we might be reconciled to God.   Jesus willingly endured the punishment that was meant for us. He was bruised and afflicted, yet through His suffering, He brought healing and restoration to all who believe. This is the essence of grace: we did nothing to earn it, yet Christ...

Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV [5] Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths. Devotion:  If you’ve ever gone on a trip somewhere you’ve never been, you know how important it is to have a map. Maps help us navigate the unknown areas ahead. Similarly, God’s Word helps us navigate through the unknown seasons of life. It reveals God’s wisdom, which can be essential in guiding our lives.  The book of Proverbs is filled with wisdom and knowledge that helps people live according to God’s purposes for their life. It starts by acknowledging that everything begins with God.   Because God is the creator of life, He knows what direction our lives should go. Our role, according to Proverbs, is to seek Him and trust Him. Trusting God means having a relationship with Him and believing that He knows what's best for us.   The more we trust in God and submit our lives to Him, the more we wi...

Lamentations 3:25  The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. Devotion: Waiting can feel like an empty pause, a stretch of time where nothing seems to move forward. Yet, in God's kingdom, waiting is never wasted. Every season of stillness carries divine purpose, shaping our faith, refining our hearts, and preparing us for what is to come.   Consider Abraham, who waited decades for God's promise of a son (Genesis 21:2). Or Joseph, whose dreams seemed forgotten as he sat unjustly imprisoned (Genesis 39:20). Even David, anointed as king, spent years in the wilderness before ascending the throne (1 Samuel 16:13; 2 Samuel 5:4). Their waiting was not in vain—it was a season of preparation, a journey toward fulfillment.   God reminds us in Isaiah 40:31, "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." When we wait on H...

Philippians 1:6 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: Devotion:  The journey of faith is one of trust and assurance in the unfailing promises of God. Philippians 1:6 reminds us that the good work God begins in us will be perfected until the day of Jesus Christ. This confidence is not based on human ability or circumstances but on the unwavering faithfulness of God.   Throughout the Bible, we see examples of individuals who placed their confidence in Christ and witnessed His faithfulness in completing what He started. 1. Abraham – Confidence in God's Promise     Abraham was called by God to leave his homeland and journey to an unknown land with the promise of becoming the father of many nations (Genesis 12:1-3). Despite his old age and Sarah’s barrenness, Abraham believed in God's promise. Romans 4:20-21 states that Abraham "did not waver through unbelief regarding the promi...

"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...

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet! Be still!' Then the wind died down and it was completely calm." Mark 4:39 (NIV)   Devotion: Life within a family can sometimes feel like sailing through stormy seas. Moments of misunderstanding between a husband and wife, conflicts between children and parents, or financial struggles can arise, threatening the peace of the home. But just as Jesus calmed the storm on the sea of Galilee, He can calm the storms in our hearts and homes if we trust in Him.   Peace in Marriage. In marriage, storms may come in the form of disagreements, unmet expectations, or external pressures. Proverbs 15:1 reminds us, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Instead of reacting in frustration, choosing gentleness and patience fosters a culture of understanding. A husband and wife must continually seek God’s wisdom, praying together, listening to one another, and allowing love—not pride—to lead the ...

Matthew 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.  My testimony : Nine years ago I was led by the spirit to kneel down and start praying for my children. At that same hour one them was involved in an accident in which some people died but he survived. The power of prayer. Devotion :  In the quiet moments of devotion, when the heart longs for deeper communion with God, fasting and prayer become sacred tools of spiritual renewal. These disciplines are not mere rituals but profound acts of surrender, drawing believers closer to the divine presence.     Fasting, as seen throughout Scripture, is a way of humbling oneself before God, seeking His guidance, and expressing dependence on Him. Jesus Himself fasted for forty days and nights in the wilderness before beginning His ministry (Matthew 4:2). In the Old Testament, Daniel fasted as he sought understanding and revelation from God (Daniel 10:3).     Prayer, the lifeline of faith...

Proverbs 29:24  Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not. Devotion: The Bible explicitly condemns theft, defining it as the unlawful taking of another's property with the intent to permanently deprive them of it. The Eighth Commandment, "You shall not steal" (Exodus 20:15), establishes a divine prohibition, highlighting the moral and spiritual consequences of stealing. Scripture portrays theft as not only a sin against one's neighbor but also an offense against God, bringing a curse upon those who engage in it.   A vivid biblical example of theft's consequences is found in the account of Achan in the Book of Joshua. During the conquest of Jericho, Achan took items that were devoted to God, an act that led to Israel’s defeat at Ai and severe repercussions for him and his family. In Joshua 7:11-12, God declares that Israel has sinned by stealing and lying, preventing them from standing against their enemies. Ultimat...

Romans 8:38-39 KJV [38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, [39] nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Devotion: God's love is a boundless, eternal force that permeates every aspect of our existence. As the Bible so eloquently puts it, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). This profound sacrifice demonstrates the depth of God's love for humanity, a love that endures even when we are at our most broken. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8), a testament to the unwavering commitment God has to us.    In Jeremiah 31:3, the Lord's words echo through the ages: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness....

"For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof: Job 36:27" Devotion : The opening scripture above was spoken by Job's friend Elihu, who magnified God in his speech to encourage Job. He was of the view that God was more than a scientist, considering how He created the water cycle, which the scientists have now discovered.    If God could create the water cycle, then God was more able than scientists to heal Job and, in fact, restore him. Indeed, in the end, Job was healed and restored; God gave him twice as much as he had before.   The Word of God is still relevant today. Anybody who doubts the existence of God should go out and look at the sky; it displays the glory of God.    Whatever healing you need today just know that Jesus Christ is more able than a scientist to heal you (Matthew 9:2-7).  Dear beloved, do you believe God can heal you? Do you believe God can intervene in that your situation? Then expec...

Micah 6:8  He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Devotion: To walk with the Lord is to live in daily communion with Him, aligning our thoughts, words, and actions with His will. It is not merely a passive belief but an active journey of faith, obedience, and trust.    The Bible reminds us in Micah 6:8, "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" Walking with God is an act of humility, surrendering our own desires to follow His path.     When we choose to walk with the Lord, we are assured of His guidance and presence. Psalm 23:1-4 declares, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake...

Oh sing unto the Lord a new song for He hath done marvelous thing. - Ps. 98:1 Devotion:  God's goodness surrounds me, inspiring songs of praise. I'm sure you've experienced blessings too. Maybe praise is the simplest, most heartfelt way to honor God. Today, with its gift of life and beauty, is a perfect chance to sing our gratitude. Come, let's sing together the hymn below. From CAC hymn book, HYMN 68 - PRAISE THE KING OF GLORY  BLESS THE LORD MY SOUL 11.11.11.11. and Ref.  1. Praise the King of Glory,  He is God alone: Praise Him for the wonders,  He to us hath shown; For His promised presence,  All the pilgrim way, For the flaming pillar,  And the cloud by day. CHORUS: Praise …Him, shining angels, Strike …Your harps of gold, All ….His hosts adore Him, Who….His face behold; Through …His great dominion, While …the ages roll; All His works shall praise Him; All His works shall praise Him, Bless the Lord, my soul! 2. Praise Him for redemption, free to ev...

John 16:13 KJV [13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoeverall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.  Devotion: Who is the spirit of truth that Jesus speaks about? He is the Spirit of God, the Holy spirit. He's called the spirit of truth because He is God in spirit and God does not lie (Titus 1:2).  One of the major promises in the Old Testament is that one day the Spirit of God would dwell within the people of God. Previously, the people of God interacted with the presence of God within the temple.   In fulfillment of Scripture, Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort God’s people. This has big implications. It means that Christians have access to the presence of God by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. God’s Spirit is with us wherever we go.   Jesus mentions in John 16:13 that the Spirit of God will guide us into all truth. G...

"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, in Colossians 2:10 the bible says "And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:"  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. ...

Ephesians 4:29 KJV [29] Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.  Devotion:  Have you ever been a representative for someone or something? When you belong to a group of people, or you represent someone, what you say and how you say it matters. Anything you say is a reflection of the person or thing you’re representing.   As Christians, we are representatives for Jesus. Paul says that we are ambassadors or representatives of Christ because He is no longer physically on earth ministering to people (2 Corinthians 5:20). Instead Jesus is working through His people to accomplish what He wants done on earth.   Since everything we say and do is a representation of Jesus, we need to choose our words wisely. When we use words to gossip and slander, hurt or damage—we don’t represent Jesus’ heart and character. But when our words are used to encourage someone, what we say ...

Are you trusting God for something or are you in a situation where you have tried and not getting it? Then put your trust in God, follow the steps in the picture below.  May God answer your prayers in Jesus' name, Amen.