ojaysjoel blog

 Scripture:  Jeremiah 17:7-8  Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. Discuss:  "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is." - This sets the foundation: trust and hope in God are the keys to blessing. - It’s not just belief—it’s a deep reliance, a surrender of control, and a confident expectation that God is faithful. "For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters..." - The tree symbolizes a person whose life is anchored in divine truth. - Water represents spiritual nourishment—God’s Word, presence, and grace. - Being “planted” implies intentionality and stability, not randomness. This person is rooted in purpose. "...and that spreadeth out her root...

Scripture:   *“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.   Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”*   — James 4:4, 7 (KJV) Devotion:  James doesn’t mince words. He calls out spiritual infidelity with piercing clarity—“adulterers and adulteresses”—not to shame, but to awaken. The language is strong because the stakes are high. When our hearts chase after worldly values—status, pleasure, power—we drift from the intimacy God desires with us. Friendship with the world isn’t just casual compromise; it’s spiritual betrayal.   But James doesn’t leave us in despair. Verse 7 is a lifeline: “Submit yourselves therefore to God.” Submission isn’t weakness—it’s surrender to the One who loves us fiercely and fights for our freedom. When we submit, we align ourselves with heaven’s power. And with ...

Nahum 1:7 KJV [7] The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.  Devotion: Nahum’s letter to the people of Judah, in the southern part of Israel, is both a call for repentance and a letter of judgment. The northern tribes had already been exiled to Assyria, and the unfaithfulness of Judah was also leading them into exile. There's a lot happening in Judah at this time. It's an era of national turmoil. The people have been unfaithful. But rather than focusing on the surrounding dangers or the cultural pressures, Nahum points the people back to the character of God—which never changes.  Nahum reminds us that God is good. Even though the world around Israel was changing rapidly, their God remained the same. He is always good. In the midst of every circumstance, we can trust that God will never change but will always desire what is good for us. Nahum continues to remind us that God is a refuge in the midst of difficult times. Because ...

  Scripture: It is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). In the sacred bond of marriage, two hearts vow to journey as one. Yet for many, the reality feels far from that divine design. The phrase “married but living single” captures a quiet ache—where emotional distance, spiritual disconnection, and relational isolation replace the intimacy God intended. God’s Blueprint for Marriage From the beginning, God declared, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). He formed woman not merely as a companion, but as a co-laborer in purpose. Marriage was never meant to be a contract—it is a covenant, sealed by God, where “the two become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). Jesus affirmed this in Mark 10:9: “Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” This oneness is not automatic. It must be nurtured through love, mutual submission, and shared pursuit of God. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 7:3–5 that spouses are to fulfill each other’s needs—not just physic...

James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. Devotion: The tongue is a paradox. It’s small, yet mighty. Hidden, yet exposed. James calls it a fire—capable of setting the whole course of life ablaze. Proverbs echoes this truth: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21). What we say doesn’t just vanish into the air—it plants seeds that grow into consequences, sweet or bitter.   In James 3:4–8, we’re warned that the tongue is like a rudder steering a ship, or a spark igniting a forest. It can bless or curse, heal or wound, build up or tear down. And once words are spoken, they can’t be unsaid. They echo in hearts, shape relationships, and even define reputations.   But Proverbs 18:22 adds a surprising twist: “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives fav...

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18 Reflection: Family is meant to be a refuge—a place of love, support, and growth. But what happens when that sanctuary becomes a source of pain, confusion, or emotional exhaustion? Many people silently endure broken marriages, strained relationships, and toxic dynamics, believing that suffering is their only option. But the Bible offers a message of hope, healing, and new beginnings.  When Family Fails Even in Scripture, we see examples of families that struggled: - Cain and Abel (Genesis 4): A tragic story of jealousy and violence between brothers. - David’s household (2 Samuel): Marked by betrayal, rebellion, and heartbreak. - Hosea and Gomer (Hosea 1–3): A marriage strained by unfaithfulness, yet used by God to show redemption. These stories remind us that brokenness in families is not new—and not beyond God's reach.  “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who a...

Scripture Focus:   "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." — John 14:6 1. Jesus as the Way - Direction in a world of confusion: Life presents countless paths—religions, philosophies, ideologies—but Jesus boldly declares that He is the way, not a way. - Access to God: This isn’t just about moral living or spiritual discipline. Jesus is the bridge between humanity and the Father. Without Him, the path to God remains closed. - Practical implication: Following Jesus means aligning your decisions, values, and purpose with His teachings. It’s not just about belief—it’s about movement in His direction. 2. Jesus as the Truth - In a world of relative truths: Today, many claim to have “their truth,” but Jesus claims to be the truth—unchanging, eternal, and absolute. - Revealer of God’s nature: Jesus doesn’t just speak truth; He embodies it. Through Him, we understand who God is, what He desires, and how He loves. - Freedo...