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...