ojaysjoel blog

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1" Devotion : Faith is a vital ingredient in our walk with our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Without faith, it is impossible to please God, Hebrews 11:6. Faith is a substance: faith can be apprehended by our heart/soul. Faith is evidence: the basis of faith is the Word of God/Holy Scriptures.    Therefore, whatever you are believing should have the scriptures to support it; if it has no scripture to support it, then your faith is baseless and cannot be fulfilled by God and our Lord Jesus Christ. This should encourage the children of God to be students and teachers of the Holy Scriptures so that their hope in whatever they are believing can be done without any shadow of doubt or struggle.  Dear believer in Christ, do you have scriptural evidence for what you are praying about/believing? If you have, then wait patiently for the answer. If you do not, then start searching the Hol...

"And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. Luke 18:27" Devotion : A rich young man came to Jesus Christ to ask what he could do to inherit eternal life. Jesus startemmh bk on hp md by telling him to obey the commandments. The rich young ruler replied that hmoe had been obeying the commandments since his youth. Jesus Christ ended by saying that he should go and sell all that he had and give to the poor, and he would have treasure in heaven; thereafter he should come and follow him.  The rich young ruler went home sorrowful - he could not let go of his possession to follow Jesus. Jesus said to His disciples that it is hard for those who are rich to enter the kingdom of God. Furthermore, He added that it easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.   The audience were shocked and asked, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus then quoted the opening scripture to them. Jesus explained to ...

It is Nigeria's independence Day today, I will like to examine and reflect on what it means to be truly independent in the spiritual and physical realms.  Spiritual Independence: True Freedom John 8:36 says,   > “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” This verse speaks of a freedom that transcends chains, borders, and governments. It’s the liberation of the soul from sin, guilt, and eternal separation from God. Spiritual independence is not merely the absence of oppression—it is the presence of righteousness, peace, and purpose through Christ. - Freedom from Sin: Christ breaks the bondage of sin, offering grace and transformation (Romans 6:22). - Freedom to Serve: We are freed not to live selfishly, but to serve God and others in love (Galatians 5:13). - Freedom with Identity: In Christ, we are no longer slaves but sons and daughters of God (Galatians 4:7).   Physical Independence: A Gift and Responsibility: Nigeria’s independence in ...

"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...