ojaysjoel blog

Scripture focus:   “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” — Matthew 5:45 (NIV)   “He provides rain for the earth; he sends water on the countryside.” — Job 5:10 (NIV) Devotion: When the rains arrive, they remind us of the boundless love of God. Scripture tells us that “He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45). Rain is not selective; it falls on all people, replenishing the earth, nourishing crops, refreshing animals, and bringing comfort to humanity. This is a picture of God’s unusual goodness — He blesses even those who do not acknowledge Him, because His mercy is greater than our failings.   The rain teaches us a lesson about how we should treat others. If God can extend kindness to both the good and the evil, then we too must learn to be considerate in our dealings with people, regardless of who they are. Judgment ...

In John 6:11, we see Jesus take the five loaves and two fish, and before distributing them, He gave thanks. This moment is powerful because it shows us that gratitude comes before the miracle. Jesus did not focus on the insufficiency of the food; instead, He acknowledged God as the source and trusted Him to provide. By giving thanks, He demonstrated faith that God could turn little into much. This example challenges us in our own lives. When faced with situations that seem impossible, do we grumble and complain, or do we pause to thank God? Often, our human instinct is to calculate, strategize, or even manipulate circumstances to make things work. But Jesus teaches us that thanksgiving is the key to unlocking divine provision. As Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Gratitude is not just a response to what God has already done; it is an act of faith in what ...

Revelation 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; Read verses 15-16 also.  The three verses read together is somehow difficult to understand, I am bringing it for your understanding because I watched a skit in which the character tried to say God was created by Egyptian god "Atum". Please read the explanation below - God was not created. The passage refers to Jesus (Amen) as the source of all creation. Jesus was not created. Revelation 3:14 is a solemn introduction to Christ’s message for the church in Laodicea. In this verse, He presents Himself with three powerful titles that frame the authority of His words. First, He is called the Amen, the one who embodies certainty and finality. What He declares is absolute truth, the ultimate confirmation of God’s promises. Second, He is the faithful and true witness, the one whose testimony about God and humanity ...

Scripture focus: Hebrews 13:5 .... for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Psalm 27:10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me”  People who were with you sometimes ago left without telling, no reason they just moved on but God is constant He never leaves. So attach your heart to Him. (Ayatollah Kameinei paraphrased) Devotion: When people walk away from our lives—sometimes without explanation, sometimes without warning—it can leave us feeling abandoned and uncertain. Yet Scripture reminds us that while human relationships may falter, God remains constant. He is the one presence that never shifts, never fades, and never leaves.     The writer of Hebrews assures us: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). This is not just a promise—it is the very character of God. He is faithful even when others are not. Deuteronomy 31:8 echoes this truth: “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he ...

Scripture focus: Romans 8:8  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Devotion: The verse above is both clear and sobering. It reveals that anyone living according to the flesh—that is, under the control of sinful desires and human nature apart from God—cannot bring delight to Him. To understand who truly can please God, we must consider the contrast Paul presents in Romans 8 between life in the flesh and life in the Spirit.     Those who remain in the flesh are bound by the sinful nature inherited from Adam. Their lives are marked by self-centeredness, rebellion, and desires that run contrary to God’s will. Even if such individuals appear moral or religious outwardly, their hearts remain estranged from God, and thus they cannot please Him.     On the other hand, those who live in the Spirit are able to please God. Romans 8:9 explains, “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.” T...

Relationships are a gift from God, but they require wisdom and grace to flourish. The Bible offers timeless counsel on how to avoid arguments and maintain peace with those we love.   Choose Gentle Words   Proverbs 15:1 teaches: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Arguments often begin with words spoken in haste. A gentle response, even when provoked, can calm tension and prevent quarrels.     Philippians 2:3–4 says: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Pride fuels conflict, but humility disarms it. When we put our partner’s needs before our own, arguments lose their power.     Colossians 3:13 reminds us: “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Holding grudges breeds resent...