ojaysjoel blog

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” – Matthew 5:13   Devotion: Salt was one of the most valuable commodities in the ancient world. It was not only used to season food but also to preserve it from decay. Without salt, meat, fish, and vegetables would quickly spoil. Jesus chose this everyday image to describe the calling of His disciples. By calling them “the salt of the earth,” He was saying that their presence in the world was vital to its preservation. Just as salt keeps food from corruption, believers are called to keep the world from moral and spiritual decay through the Word of God and the testimony of their lives.     Throughout Scripture, salt carries rich symbolism. It represents preservation, flavor, and covenant. Salt prevents decay, reminding us that the Word of God preserves lives from spiritual death. Th...

Scripture:   "And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." — Luke 1:35   Devotion:  The Holy Spirit is the key to true success in every good endeavor. Being good or engaging in a noble cause does not automatically guarantee fruitful results. It is the power of the Holy Spirit that brings every righteous effort to completion.     Mary was not the only virgin in Nazareth, yet it was the Holy Spirit who chose her, overshadowed her, and gave her the divine ability to conceive and bring forth Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. This shows us that human qualification alone is not enough; it is the Spirit of God that makes the difference (Zechariah 4:6).     The Holy Spirit specializes in making the impossible possible. When you are born again, He comes to dwell...

Theme: The High Points and the Pitfalls Scripture Foundation "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." — 1 Corinthians 10:31   "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." — Romans 12:2   The High Points  Social media, like any tool, can be used for God’s glory when handled wisely.   - Spreading the Gospel: Just as Paul used letters to reach churches far away, today we can share the good news instantly across nations. A simple post of encouragement or a testimony can touch lives we may never meet.   - Building Community: Acts 2:42 describes believers devoted to fellowship. Online platforms allow Christians to connect, pray together, and encourage one another even across distances.   - Access to Resources: Sermons, devotionals, and Bible studies are now more accessible than ever. Like the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 who needed guidance to unders...

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” – Proverbs 23:7 (KJV) Reflection Our mindset is the lens through which we see life. It shapes our decisions, influences our actions, and ultimately determines our destiny. The Bible reminds us that what we believe in our hearts defines who we are. Whether rich or poor, victorious or defeated, it begins with the way we think. Biblical Examples - The Israelites in the Wilderness (Numbers 13–14)     When Moses sent twelve spies to explore Canaan, ten returned with a mindset of fear, saying, “We are like grasshoppers in our own eyes.” Their negative mindset kept an entire generation from entering the Promised Land. But Joshua and Caleb, with a mindset of faith, declared, “We can certainly do it!” Their perspective led them into God’s inheritance. - David vs. Goliath (1 Samuel 17)     The Israelite army saw Goliath as an unbeatable giant. David, however, saw him as a mortal man defying the living God. His mindset of f...

Scripture Foundation "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." — Jeremiah 29:11 Reflection:  Life often tempts us to live only in the now—the immediate struggles, the pressing needs, the fleeting pleasures. Yet God calls us to lift our eyes beyond the present moment and see His eternal vision. Faith is not just about surviving today; it is about trusting God for tomorrow.   Abraham is a powerful example. When God told him to leave his homeland, Abraham obeyed without knowing where he was going (Genesis 12:1–4). His vision was not limited to the present comforts of Ur but stretched toward the unseen promises of God. Hebrews 11:10 says, “For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” Abraham’s vision was beyond now—it was eternal.   Similarly, Joseph endured betrayal, slavery, and prison. Yet he held onto a vision beyond his sufferi...

 "It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."  Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV  Devotion: God’s mercy is the quiet miracle that meets us every morning. Jeremiah, in the midst of grief and devastation, declared in Lamentations 3:22–23 that “because of the Lord’s great mercy we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Even when life feels heavy with yesterday’s burdens, mercy arrives like the dawn—fresh, undeserved, and unwavering.     Paul echoes this truth in Ephesians 2:4–5, reminding us that God, rich in mercy, did not leave us in our sin but made us alive in Christ. Mercy is not simply God’s pity; it is His active love that rescues, restores, and breathes life into what was dead.     The psalmist captures it beautifully: “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according...

Read on : Moments That Teach Us to Hold On to Kindness, Even When Life Is Harsh When the world feels harsh and emotionally overwhelming, real-life kindness still breaks through. These 12 inspiring moments show how people chose compassion during tough situations, personal loss, and everyday struggles—reminding us why humanity, empathy, and simple human decency still matter more than ever. 1.) My husband disappeared after I lost our baby, leaving me alone in the aftermath. I couldn’t function or even get out of bed. Bills and letters piled up unopened. My sister-in-law showed up unannounced. She took unpaid time off work to stay with me. She handled calls, cooked meals, and sat with me through panic attacks. She even paid my utilities when I couldn’t. My husband never came back. But her sacrifice kept me alive during the darkest weeks. She carried me when I couldn’t stand. I will never forget it. I was at a school board meeting where a teenager’s parents were being told their son would b...