ojaysjoel blog

....   your old men will dream dreams ..... Joel 2:28b KJV  Devotion: Dreams inspire us, but reality often tests us. Scripture reminds us that God Himself speaks through dreams, yet He also calls us to live faithfully in the present.    Joseph’s story shows this balance. He dreamed of greatness (Genesis 37:5–9), but reality placed him in a pit, slavery, and prison before the dream was fulfilled. His journey teaches us that dreams are seeds, but reality is the soil where they grow.    Daniel received visions of kingdoms and God’s eternal reign (Daniel 7:1–14). Yet, in reality, he lived faithfully in exile, praying daily and serving under foreign kings. His devotion in reality gave weight to his dreams.    Joel 2:28 promises: “Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” Dreams are divine gifts, but they are not escapes from reality—they are invitations to walk in faith until God bring...

1 Peter 2:24  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. Devotion: Sickness can be understood as a disruption of health. It may be physical, where the body loses strength or ability—sometimes temporarily, sometimes permanently. It may also be spiritual, when the soul is weakened through sin and separation from God.     Physical sickness often arises naturally, yet it can sometimes be prevented by caring for ourselves and our environment. Spiritual sickness, however, is entirely preventable. God Himself promised:  “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.” (Exodus 15:26, NKJV)   When sickness comes, whether physical or spiritual, God has ...

[38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Acts 2:38 KJV Devotion: Have you ever felt like you needed to have a do-over? If so, you’re in good company. Peter knew this feeling well.    Peter was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, invited by Jesus Himself to leave his life as a fisherman to join Him during His ministry on earth. On the night that Jesus was betrayed, Peter followed Him to the sham trial. The people in the area were openly and aggressively hostile to Jesus. Imagine what that must have felt like—to be surrounded by people who may choose to treat Peter the way they were treating Jesus at that very moment.     In Matthew 26 and Luke 22, we see that Peter chose to keep a low profile. He wanted to go unnoticed by the angry mob. That didn’t work for long though—three different people recognized him as a follower of Je...

​"If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Psalm 11:3)  "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 : Children are the heritage of God and the fruit of the womb is His reward, Psalms 127:3. Parents have the responsibility toward God by first of all knowing the way their children are expected to go and secondly, training them in that way. The Word of God is the basis of that training; in other words it is the sure way to go. Parents and guardians are encouraged to know the scriptures and create the enabling environment to teach their children the scriptures. The scriptures will direct the children in their choice toward school, career, marriage, etc. Share your thoughts here! I recommend this book - "Jesus and Kids"  for you to train your children, you can send the link to your children to train your grandchildren. God bless you as you do.  Title : JESUS AND KIDS . ...

Scripture focus: “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.”  Luke 12:22, KJV  Devotion: This verse has often been misunderstood to mean that believers should not work, but that is not the message Jesus was giving. To interpret Scripture correctly, we must read it in context. In the preceding passage, Jesus spoke of the rich man who stored up wealth for himself, forgetting that his blessings were meant to serve others. Jesus then pointed to the birds of the air: they do not sow or reap, yet they roam and search diligently for food—and God provides for them. Their effort is blessed by God’s provision.   The Bible consistently teaches that God blesses our labor, not idleness. In Deuteronomy 28:12, God promises: “The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure… and bless all the work of thine hand.” Work is the channel through which God’s provision flows. Paul reinforces this truth in 2 Thessalonia...

Scripture Foundation - “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” — Proverbs 21:5   - “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days.” — Ecclesiastes 11:1   - “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.’” — Matthew 25:21   QDevotion:  God has given us resources—time, talents, and money—not to be buried or wasted, but to be multiplied for His glory. The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–30) shows us that God expects us to steward wisely what He places in our hands. The servant who invested his talents doubled them, while the one who hid his talent lost even what he had. This teaches us that money, when managed with diligence and faith, can grow and serve a greater purpose.    Letting your money work for you is not about greed or selfish gain; it is about align...

Scripture focus:  “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it” (Habakkuk 2:2) KJV. Devotion: As we step into the month of May, we pause to reflect on how far God has brought us. Four months of the year are already behind us, and today marks the beginning of the fifth. Some have seen great physical and spiritual progress, while others may feel they are still searching for direction.      The difference often lies in planning and vision. “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it” (Habakkuk 2:2). Without clear goals, life drifts aimlessly. But it is not too late to begin afresh. As the Yoruba saying goes, “The sun above is still enough to dry your clothes.” With eight months remaining, there is still time to plan, act, and succeed.      The true secret of success is found in Scripture: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added ...

Scripture Focus: “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.” (Exodus 15:26) Devotion: This verse reveals a profound truth: God’s protection and healing are conditional upon obedience. Health, both spiritual and physical, is tied to our relationship with Him. When we walk in disobedience, we step outside the covering of His promises and expose ourselves to the consequences of sin.   Obedience to God is directly linked to health and life. In Deuteronomy 7:15, God promises to take away sickness from His people, while Proverbs 3:7-8 reminds us that fearing the Lord and departing from evil brings health to our flesh and strength to our bones. Sin, on the other hand, is not only a spiritual disease but often manifests in brokenness, unrest, and even physical consequences. God m...

Scripture focus: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 KJV). Devotion: Sin is wrongdoing—whether against God’s law or against a fellow human being. Scripture declares: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). But God, in His mercy, calls us to repentance.    Repentance means turning away from sin after confession and beginning to live rightly. It is like saying, “I acknowledge my wrong, and I pledge not to do it again.” The Bible assures us: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).    God promises restoration to those who forsake sin: “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). Through repentance, we are made whole before God, and we receive the assurance of eternal life with Christ Jesus.    Jesus Himself said: “In My Father’s house ar...

Key Verse:   "Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD." — Proverbs 18:22 Devotion:  Marriage is not merely a social contract; it is a divine covenant instituted by God. The Scripture makes it clear that the man who finds a wife receives favor from the Lord. Notice it says wife, not just woman. This distinction reminds us that not every woman is prepared or called to be a wife, and not every man is prepared to be a husband. The responsibility lies with the man to seek God’s guidance in choosing, for only God knows the heart. 1. Favor in Marriage Marriage is a gift of favor. When God brought Eve to Adam, Adam exclaimed:   "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." — Genesis 2:23     Here, Adam did not search blindly; God Himself orchestrated the union. This shows that true favor in marriage comes when God is the matchmaker. Such unions are ma...

Scripture Foundation: Luke 12:18–20 – The parable of the rich fool. Proverbs 21:20 – The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down. Proverbs 22:6 – Train up a child in the way he should go. Matthew 7:24 – Build your house on the rock. 2 Corinthians 5:10 – We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. Devotion: Living without a clear plan for the future is much like gambling with your life. A gambler risks everything on the whims of chance, and similarly, many people live solely for the present moment—spending all they earn without saving, neglecting the discipline of their children, and ignoring the reality of eternity. The Scriptures offer a stern warning against this shortsightedness. In the parable of the rich fool, Jesus reminds us that accumulating earthly wealth without preparing for the soul’s destination is ultimately a hollow pursuit. True wisdom is not found in the hoarding of possessions, but in the foresight to store up treasures in heaven...

Gambling with Life Scripture Reading Luke 12:18–20 – The parable of the rich fool. Proverbs 21:20 – The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down. Proverbs 22:6 – Train up a child in the way he should go. Matthew 7:24 – Build your house on the rock. 2 Corinthians 5:10 – We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. Meditation Living without a plan for the future is like gambling with one’s life. Just as a gambler risks everything on chance, many people spend all they earn without saving, neglect their children’s training, and ignore eternity. Jesus warns us through the parable of the rich fool that earthly abundance without eternal preparation is vanity. True wisdom is found in planning with foresight, storing up treasures in heaven, and building life on Christ, the solid Rock. Application Financial Stewardship: Avoid wasteful living. Save and invest wisely for your family’s future. Parenting: Train your children in the fear of the Lord (Prover...

Scripture Reading:   "He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given." — Proverbs 19:17   Devotion: Charity, in its truest sense, is the act of giving generously to those in need. It is not merely about offering material possessions, but about extending love, compassion, and kindness to the indigent. The Bible reminds us that our generosity is never wasted; when we give to the poor, we are lending to God Himself.      Jesus emphasized this in Matthew 25:40: “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” Every act of benevolence is a reflection of Christ’s love working through us. Charity is not optional for believers; it is a calling to embody God’s heart for the vulnerable.      Paul also encourages us in 2 Corinthians 9:7: “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheer...

Scripture focus: Genesis 37:4  And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. Devotion Characteristics of a Hater:  A hater is someone whose heart is filled with bitterness and envy. The Bible describes such people as those who “walk in darkness” (1 John 2:11). Common traits include: - Jealousy – resenting the success of others (Genesis 37:4, Joseph’s brothers). - Bitterness – holding grudges and refusing forgiveness. - Malice – desiring harm or downfall for others. - Unforgiveness – refusing to let go of past wrongs (Ephesians 4:31). Causes of Hatred:  Hatred often springs from: - Pride – Cain hated Abel because God accepted Abel’s sacrifice but not his (Genesis 4:5–8). - Fear and insecurity – King Saul hated David because he feared losing his throne (1 Samuel 18:8–9). - Unresolved anger – when anger is not dealt with, it grows into hatred (Ephesians 4:26–27). - Lack of love –...

Scripture focus: And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as  thyself.  Matthew 22:39 KJV Devotion: Jesus summarized the law and the prophets with two great commandments: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Matthew 22:37–39).      To love one’s neighbour is not merely an emotion but a deliberate choice to act in their best interest. Paul echoes this truth when he writes: “Love does no harm to a neighbour; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:10). A person who truly loves others will not steal from them, lie against them, or commit violence against them. Instead, he will protect them, seek their good, and live peaceably with all (Hebrews 12:14).      Yet Scripture makes clear that good deeds alone are not sufficient for salvat...

Scripture focus: “The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty, if we have the strength” (Psalm 90:10) KJV.  Devotion: The Word of God reminds us that “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). Indeed, every good and perfect gift comes from above (James 1:17). Life itself, health, family, and material blessings are not earned by human effort alone but are graciously given by the Lord. To live to the age of seventy in today’s world is no small achievement—it is a testimony of God’s sustaining grace and mercy. The psalmist declares, “The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty, if we have the strength” (Psalm 90:10). Reaching this milestone is therefore a reason for profound thanksgiving.   This week, my elder brother and a dear friend both attained seventy years of age, just three days apart. Today, I join my brother in a thanksgiving service, lifting our voices to the One who alone is worthy of our praise. Thanksgiving is not merely a ritual; ...

Scripture Foundation  • Jeremiah 32:27 – "I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?" • Matthew 19:26 – "What is impossible for man is possible with God." • John 14:13-14 – "Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Ask, and you shall receive." Reflection:  Life often brings seasons filled with uncertainty, pain, and waiting. You might be facing a difficult time now, wondering how God will deliver you. The truth is, you don’t need to understand the "how." What truly matters is that He will. Our Father is a God of miracles, and His wonders surpass human understanding. I heard a song which captures this perfectly: "My Father will do wonders. How He will do it, I don’t know." Faith isn’t about knowing every detail—it’s about trusting the One who holds all the details. Biblical Examples of Miracles: • The Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22): Trapped between Pharaoh’s army and t...

Scripture focus: Psalms 13:1 How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? Matthew 27:46  And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Devotion: There are seasons in life when heaven seems quiet, prayers feel unanswered, and God’s presence appears hidden. These moments can be unsettling, but Scripture shows us that silence is not absence—it is often preparation, testing, or deep work in the unseen. The Silence of God in Scripture:  - Job’s Trial: Job cried out in his suffering, yet God seemed silent. Still, Job declared, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15). God’s silence was not abandonment but a stage for Job’s faith to be refined and for God’s ultimate restoration.    - David’s Lament: In Psalm 13:1, David asks, “How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?” His honesty shows that even a man after ...

Scripture focus: John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”  Devotion: He was offering something far deeper than the temporary calm or fragile security the world provides. His peace is not dependent on circumstances, wealth, or human assurances. It is a divine gift, rooted in His presence and sustained by His Spirit.     The peace of Christ is transformative. It takes a heart weighed down by anxiety and lifts it into joy. It takes fear — that paralyzing uncertainty about tomorrow — and replaces it with faith, a confident trust in God’s promises. Unlike worldly peace, which can be disrupted by conflict, loss, or disappointment, the peace of Jesus remains steady even in storms. It is the assurance that no matter what happens externally, the soul is anchored in Him.     Choosing Jesus is choosing this kind of peace. It is not earned, boug...

Proverbs 18:24: “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”  Devotion: Friendship is one of life’s greatest treasures, but it is also one of its greatest tests. Many people will walk with you when the road is smooth, but only a few will remain when the path grows rough. I experienced this firsthand—when I left my workplace, only one person reached out. Surprisingly, it wasn’t the one I considered closest, but her call revealed the purity of her heart. That is the mark of a true friend. The Nature of True Friendship:  The Bible reminds us that not all who surround us are genuine companions. The scripture focus above says it all. True friendship is not measured by convenience or gain, but by loyalty and love.   David understood this deeply. He was betrayed by those he trusted—Ahithophel, his counselor, turned against him and joined Absalom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 15:31). The sting of betrayal was so sharp that David lam...