ojaysjoel blog

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." — Philippians 3:14 Devotion: My dear Daughter and Son, a t this moment in your life, what you need most is clarity of purpose. When you fix your eyes on your future, you begin to live intentionally. That’s what it means to live a purpose-driven life. School is not just a routine—it’s preparation for a future that is independent, fruitful, and joyful. But this future won’t arrive by accident. It demands diligence today. So I urge you: work hard now, because your purpose is worth it. Let’s explore how knowing your God-given purpose transforms both your physical and spiritual life. Purpose Gives Meaning "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart." — Jeremiah 1:5 You are not an accident. God designed you with intention. Like Joseph, whose journey from pit to palace was filled with trials, your path may not be easy—but it is meaning...

  "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord." — James 5:14 Reflection:  This verse is a gentle yet powerful reminder that healing—both physical and spiritual—is not meant to be pursued in isolation. God designed the Church not just as a place of worship, but as a living, breathing community of care. When James speaks of calling the elders to pray and anoint with oil, he’s pointing us toward a sacred act of unity, humility, and faith.   The oil symbolizes consecration and the presence of the Holy Spirit. The prayer represents our dependence on God. And the act of calling others in reflects our need for one another. In a world that often tells us to “tough it out” alone, this passage invites us to lean into the grace of shared burdens and collective faith. Application - Don’t suffer in silence. Whether your pain is physical, emotional, or spiritual, reach out. Healing begins ...

 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:19  Devotion:  Have you ever paused to consider why the Apostle Paul chose the phrase “my God” so personally and deliberately? It wasn’t a casual reference—it was a declaration of intimacy, trust, and experience. Paul had walked with God through trials, shipwrecks, imprisonments, and moments of divine provision. His relationship with Elohim was not theoretical; it was deeply personal and proven.   When Paul wrote to the Philippians, he wasn’t merely offering encouragement—he was sharing a spiritual principle rooted in his own life. The believers in Philippi had generously supported Paul’s ministry, and in return, he assured them that his God—the One who had sustained him—would also supply their needs.   This echoes the story of Elijah and the widow at Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8–16). In a time of famine, God sent Elijah to a woman with barely enough flour and o...

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28" Devotion : If worldly people understood the Gospel, they would run for salvation. Worldly people are laboring in sin and are heavily laden by it; they need Jesus Christ to save them.    The yoke of Jesus is easy because we become joint heirs with Jesus Christ when we believe in the Gospel. He then gives us a discerning heart to learn from Him. As we learn in meekness and lowness of heart, we find rest for our souls in Him. His yoke is His righteousness, humility, assignment, and truthfulness which is easy and light to practice.   We, as children of God should let the world know that in Christ is everything; tell the worldly people to seek Him first then all things people run after she'll be given them. We found this promise in  Matthew 6:33 " But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." We know that He who...

"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32" Devotion : Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith, was kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving. He exhibited these qualities when He started His ministry; even on the cross He forgave all those who were involved in His crucifixion.  The disciples had these qualities, except Judas Iscariot. Steven was kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving; he forgave those who stoned him to death, among whom was the Apostle Paul under the name of Saul.   The ministry of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the church and in the world will be severely limited without the qualities of kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness. The children of God have these qualities inherent in them; what they need to do is to cultivate them. Let us be open-minded and seize every opportunity to demonstrate our kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiving attitudes. Let u...

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5–6 Devotion: Trust is the quiet strength that holds us steady when the winds howl and the path disappears beneath our feet. It is not blind optimism, nor is it passive resignation. Trust is active faith—anchored not in what we see, but in who God is. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture is a tapestry of trust—woven through the lives of ordinary people who dared to believe in an extraordinary God. Take Abraham, for example. God asked him to leave everything familiar and journey to a land he’d never seen. Later, He asked Abraham to sacrifice his promised son, Isaac. Abraham’s trust wasn’t rooted in logic—it was rooted in God’s character. “By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice…” (Hebrews 11:17). He believed that even if Isaac died, God could raise him again. That’s trust that defies circumstance. ...

In Mark 2:9, Jesus poses a profound question:   "Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?"   This moment wasn’t just a theological debate—it was a divine unveiling of the heart of God. The scribes questioned Jesus’ authority to forgive sins, but He responded not with argument, but with action. He healed the paralyzed man, proving that He had authority both to heal the body and to cleanse the soul.    Forgiveness First — The Easier Yet Deeper Work:  Jesus’ choice to forgive first reveals a spiritual principle: forgiveness is foundational. In Matthew 9:2, a similar account unfolds, and Jesus again begins with, “Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.” Before physical healing, He addresses the deeper need—the healing of the heart. This teaches us that while miracles may dazzle, forgiveness transforms.    Consider Joseph in Genesis 45. Betrayed by h...