ojaysjoel blog

Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.” Genesis 37:5 (KJV)  Devotional: Dreams are just one of the ways God reveals His secrets to us. A dream takes place in our subconscious mind when we are asleep (1 Kings 3:5–15). When you sleep and you have a dream, don’t take it for granted.    Joseph did not take his dreams for granted; he narrated them to his brothers and parents. Instead of his brothers assisting him to bring his dream to reality, they resented him and decided to kill him and his dream (Genesis 37:5). They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites, who brought him to Egypt and sold him to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh.   Beloved, the turn of events in Joseph’s life led to the fulfillment of his dream. He later became the prime minister in Egypt and saved his entire family from famine (Genesis 41:37–46).    Dear beloved, take every dream of yours into fervent prayer so that your good dreams can come to pass and y...

No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends. John 15:13 AMPC. Devotion: In my practice I have seen so many people on sick bed if you ask the relatives to donate they'll simply tell you we don't want two persons to die, we prefer to buy. This just shows the extent of love for the person.   Meanwhile we Africans express our emotions physically some by crying, jumping or outright collapsing and turning on the ground when we lose someone we loved. The wives and children are mostly uncontrollable especially when they lived together and loved each other.  While the burial right was on at the grave side we pretend as if we will jump into the grave with the dead person alas, few minutes after the grave is covered with sand, the dead person is forgotten. We move on to eating, drinking and dancing. The love for the person ends there.   From the passage quoted above we know the extent of Jesus' love for you an...

Luke 23:18-19  And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.) Devotion: My Lord Jesus Christ was persecuted and prosecuted for sins he did not commit. The ruler Pilate wanted him released but by some legal technicality of the time he must ask who to release from the people. Unfortunately for the people, they want Barabbas who really committed a sin released but the sinless Jesus was cast into the prison. As Nigeria prepares for the 2023 general elections, from the regular press and social media the outlook is the same. The people because of the pecuniary gain they will get have started queing behind Barabbas instead of Jesus.    Most of the contestants are people who had stolen government monies or had been alleged to steal monies. They all have baggages full of evil deals. If any has not, his father or God father had stolen. I just read of a for...

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Matthew 28:19" Devotion : Our Lord Jesus Christ prioritized teaching over the fivefold ministry in Ephesians 4:11. When Jesus Christ trained His disciples He did not train them to be prophets even though prophets are also good, but He trained them to be teachers of His Word.  This should inform us that teachers are more important and elevated above the other four offices - that is, the office of the apostles, prophets, evangelists and pastors. It takes teaching of the Holy Scriptures to create understanding in new converts and even existing members of the body of Christ.  Teaching informs, guides, directs, counsels, comforts, multiplies, and retains the membership of the church.  Let the world learn from the church and elevate teachers in society into their rightly place.  Dear beloved, can you teach the Word of God? Share your thoughts here! Edit...

"Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy. Proverbs 12:20" Devotion : There are two categories of people on earth: those who imagine evil and those who imagine good. As we approach 2023 general elections in Nigeria, politicians have started their trade, I ask you dear reader, Which of these do you identify with or belong to?   A heart that imagines evil only has plans to deceive to have its way; it cannot offer anything good. When such people find their way in a high position, especially in government, what is predominant is corruption and embezzlement of funds.    However, there is hope because there are counselors of peace who produce joy in the lives of people. They are those who imagine good in their heart; when they are in a place of authority, they create an atmosphere of peace, joy and prosperity for all.  We the electorate should carefully listen to political campaigns and reflect on the acts of the politicians ...

"The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. Psalms 103:6" Devotion : God Has positioned the saints at every point in time to assist the oppressed in society. The Lord Jesus Christ in His ministry on earth concentrated on the oppressed in society (Acts 10:38).  Likewise, Christians are encouraged to minister to the poor, the needy, and the oppressed. This is because the poor, needy, and oppressed are marginalized in society; they don't have a voice that speaks for them.   It is only God, according to the opening scripture, who executes  righteousness and judgment for all the oppressed.  Christians are the children of God through whom God will execute His righteousness and judgment on earth.    The man of God ministered to Deborah's parents recently as an example of what God expects from His children. Even though you and I may not be able able to gift someone a house or car, let us do what we can. A dollar is a lot to some ...

Jesus said, “What I’m about to tell you is true. You need to change and become like little children. If you don’t, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Anyone who takes the humble position of this child is the most important in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3‭-‬4 NIRV. Devotion: Little children are mostly beautiful beings in and out. They are innocent and often very friendly especially amongst other children. They are playful, they easily fight over toys but almost IMMEDIATELY FORGIVE and play together again. This attribute differentiates children from adults. Children don't keep malice, gossip, covet, tell lies or do some of the evil things adults do. This is why Jesus says to enter the kingdom of heaven one must become as little Children in character in addition to accepting Christ as Lord and Saviour. Any one who will make heaven must be able to live a simple life, have a forgiving spirit and live a life of total obedience as a child does. Let's examine our lives ...