ojaysjoel blog

"But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD." Jonah 1:3 KJV. Reflection: When God called Jonah to go to Nineveh and proclaim His message, Jonah chose instead to flee in the opposite direction. We read this in the verse above. Jonah thought he could escape God’s command by changing his location, but he soon discovered that no distance could separate him from the reach of the Almighty.     The psalmist echoes this truth: “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there” (Psalm 139:7–8). Jonah’s attempt to run away was not only futile but also dangerous, for it brought a storm upon himself and those around him. Running from God always leads to turmoil, b...

Scripture Focus "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." — Philippians 4:6   Devotion: Philippians 4:6 reminds us that worry is not meant to dominate our hearts. Paul’s words, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God,” invite us to exchange anxiety for trust. To beTitle: Worried? Turn to God.  “careful for nothing” is to refuse to let fear or uncertainty consume us. Instead, we are called to bring every concern—whether small or overwhelming—before God in prayer.     Prayer is our ongoing conversation with God, supplication is the earnest cry of our deepest needs, and thanksgiving is the posture that shifts our focus from what we lack to what God has already done. When these three are woven together, they lift our hearts from worry into worship. Gratitude reminds us of His faithful...

Romans 8:28 declares, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”  Reflection: This verse is a reminder that even when life feels like a puzzle with missing pieces—when pain, loss, and confusion cloud our vision—God is still at work. Paul assures us that not just the pleasant moments, but even the painful ones, are woven together by God for our ultimate good.      We see this truth in the life of Joseph, who told his brothers in Genesis 50:20, “Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good…” What seemed like betrayal and imprisonment became the very path to saving nations. Likewise, Jeremiah 29:11 reassures us of God’s intentions: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”      When anxiety grips the heart and fear threatens to overwhelm, God’s Word offers peace....

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." — Revelation 3:20 The Invitation of Christ:  There is a gentle knock at the door of your heart. It is not the knock of a stranger, nor the demand of a tyrant, but the loving call of Jesus Christ—the One who gave His life for you. He waits patiently, not forcing entry, but inviting you to open the door. His desire is fellowship, intimacy, and eternal life with you.      Jesus says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). The burdens you carry, the emptiness you feel, the longing for peace—all find their answer in Him.   The Call to Surrender:  Opening the door means surrender. It means laying down pride, fear, and sin, and welcoming the Savior in. He promises, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:...

To celebrate those who have died in Christ is not to mourn as the world mourns, but to rejoice in the victory of life eternal. Scripture reminds us: “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them’” (Revelation 14:13).     Death, for the believer, is not an end but a glorious transition. It is the doorway into the presence of the Lord, where sorrow ceases and joy is made complete. Paul declares with confidence: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). In Christ, death loses its sting, and the grave its victory (1 Corinthians 15:55–57).     Therefore, we celebrate the saints who have gone before us—not with despair, but with gratitude. Their lives testify to God’s faithfulness, and their rest proclaims the hope we share. As we remember them, we lift our eyes to the promise of resurrection: “For the Lord himself will come down from he...

Reflection:  To serve a living God is to walk daily with the One who is active, present, and powerful in our lives. Unlike idols made by human hands, our God is alive forevermore, hearing our prayers, guiding our steps, and working miracles in our midst. Serving Him is not a burden but a privilege, because His presence brings life, joy, and peace.   Key Scriptures - Hebrews 9:14 – “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”   - Jeremiah 10:10 – “But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. At His wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide His indignation.”   - Acts 17:28 – “For in Him we live, and move, and have our being…”   Encouragement:  Serving the living God means our faith is not in vain. He is not distant or silent—He is near to all who cal...

Scripture focus: “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.” (Psalm 37:23) Walking with the Lord is not just about following rules—it is about living daily in His presence, trusting His guidance, and enjoying fellowship with Him. Scripture reminds us that our journey with God is marked by faith, obedience, and peace. Key Reflections: - Walking in Faith     “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)     To walk with the Lord means trusting Him even when the path ahead seems uncertain. Faith anchors us in His promises. - Walking in Obedience     “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)     True fellowship with God is expressed in humble obedience and a life that reflects His character. - Walking in Light     “If we walk in the light, as He is in the l...