ojaysjoel blog

"Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10" Devotion : Nehemiah gathered the Israelites and asked Ezra, the scribe, to read the book of the Law to the children of Israel. Whilst Ezra was reading the Law to the Israelites, the Word of God touched their conscience and they began to weep. After Ezra had finished reading the book of the Law, Nehemiah consoled the people and said that day was holy unto the LORD, so they should not weep nor mourn. Instead they should go their way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to the needy for the joy of the LORD was their strength.     Beloved God does not want you to mourn or weep at hearing the Word; He wants you to celebrate the Word so that His strength can be imparted to you. All that He wants you to do when you fall foul of...

Theme Verse:   "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." — James 1:2–3 (NIV) Introduction:  Life is a journey marked by seasons of joy and seasons of hardship. Trials and tests are not interruptions to our faith—they are invitations to deepen it. God never wastes a trial. Each one is a divine classroom where our character is refined, our trust is stretched, and our hearts are drawn closer to Him. Biblical Examples: 1. Abraham — The Test of Obedience   In Genesis 22, God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. It was a test of obedience and trust. Abraham passed the test, and God provided a ram in place of Isaac.   "Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." — Genesis 22:12 2. Joseph — The Trial of Injustice   Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and impris...

  "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." — John 14:14  Devotion:  Jesus Christ is not only the Son of God—He is God incarnate, the visible image of the invisible God. As Hebrews 1:3 declares, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being.” When Jesus instructed His disciples to pray in His name, He was preparing them for His departure to heaven. Though physically absent, His name would carry His presence, authority, and power.   Praying in Jesus’ name is not a ritual—it’s a relationship. It’s like accessing a divine account in heaven. Just as you cannot withdraw money from a bank without an account, you cannot receive from God without Jesus. He is our access point, our spiritual account, and our divine mediator. “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus” — 1 Timothy 2:5.   When we surrender our lives to Christ, He becomes our spiritual banker—our source and supply. “And my Go...

Daniel 12:3 (KJV)   “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” Devotion: In today’s world, there are countless ways to gain knowledge—through education, books, media, and experience. Yet Scripture reminds us that wisdom is far more valuable than mere information. In Proverbs 9:10 (KJV) we understand that  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”   True wisdom begins with reverence for God. While many may be intelligent, wisdom in God’s eyes flows from knowing Him and walking in His truth. God, who is perfect in knowledge, is the source of all wisdom.   A Life That Reflects God -  Those who walk in wisdom become lights in a world that often feels dark. Our words and actions matter. Though we are imperfect, we are called to reflect God’s character in how we live. Paul in Ephesians 5:15-16 (KJV)  t...

"And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." — Deuteronomy 6:5 Devotion:   Love has dimensions. The scripture above outlines the kind of love God desires from us—a love that encompasses our entire being: spirit, soul, and body. These three dimensions reflect the depth of love God expects: - Heart/Spirit — to worship Him sincerely. - Soul/Mind — to meditate on and memorize His Word. - Body/Might — to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable unto Him. Furthermore, the Bible instructs us to love our neighbours as ourselves. If you truly love yourself, you will not harm yourself. Likewise, if you love your neighbour, you will not do anything to hurt them. You will not covet their possessions, including their spouse—you will not commit adultery. In essence, love is the key to living a holy and acceptable life, one that prepares us to inherit the Kingdom of God. Dearly beloved, do you love God with your...

Scripture:   "For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow."   Philippians 2:27 (KJV)  Devotional: Epaphroditus, a faithful companion of Paul, fell gravely ill—so much so that death seemed imminent. Yet, Paul turned to the Lord in prayer, and God, in His mercy, healed him. This moment reminds us of the boundless power of God to heal and restore, even when all hope seems lost. Jesus Himself affirmed this truth:   "For with God nothing shall be impossible." — Luke 1:37 (KJV)   And again, He said:  "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." — Luke 18:27 (KJV)   These verses underscore that divine healing is not limited by human understanding or medical prognosis. It is rooted in God's sovereign will and mercy. Understanding Sickness: Many Christians believe that sickness is always a direct attack from the devil. While ...

Scripture:   "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." — 1 Peter 3:15 Devotion:   There is a hope that believers in Christ Jesus have committed to. That hope is that the promise of our Lord Jesus Christ's second coming is sure, even though He may tarry. “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” — Titus 2:13   For He who died, was buried, resurrected, and ascended to heaven—Jesus Christ of Nazareth—cannot tell lies about His second coming. “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised).” — Hebrews 10:23   We are exhorted by the Apostle Peter to be ready always to give an answer to every man who questions our hope. “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering an...