ojaysjoel blog

Scripture Foundation - Matthew 21:12–13 – “Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. ‘It is written,’ he said to them, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”   - 1 Timothy 6:5 – “…men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.”   - Acts 8:20 – “Peter answered: ‘May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!’”   Reflection The Word of God makes it clear that faith is not a commodity to be traded for profit. When religion is exploited for personal gain, it distorts the sacred purpose of worship and dishonors God. Jesus Himself showed righteous anger when the temple was turned into a marketplace, reminding us that His house is meant for prayer, not profiteering. ...

Scripture Reading:   "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" — Psalm 133:1   Growing up with siblings who love one another is one of life’s greatest blessings. In many families, quarrels and rivalry are common, but when Christ is at the center, love and peace reign. Growing up we never fought, we studied together, worked together, and even carried out household chores without complaint. That is a living testimony of the power of unity in Christ.   Even now, as adults with our own families, we remain closely knit. A missed day of communication is enough for my siblings to check in with love. This is what Jesus meant when He said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35).   When our mother passed away, we faced that difficult moment not with strife but with cooperation. The burial was a success because we trusted God and leaned on one another. Truly,...

War in the Middle East, Ukraine, and tensions in South China remind us that humanity is often caught in storms beyond its control. Yet Scripture teaches that true peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of Christ.   Jesus Christ Himself is the giver of peace. He said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27). The world may offer fragile treaties and temporary ceasefires, but Christ offers an inner calm that transcends circumstances.   How then do we acquire this peace in times of war? First, by trusting in God’s sovereignty. Isaiah reminds us, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3). Even when nations rage, believers anchor their hearts in God’s unshakable rule.   Second, through prayer. Paul exhorts us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,...

Freedom, Flesh and the Spirit Let us walk through Galatians chapter 5 from verse 1 to 26 carefully and thoughtfully. Freedom Is the Foundation. Galatians 5 verse 1. Paul begins by saying it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. That statement alone tells us that salvation was not meant to place us under another form of bondage. Christ did not rescue us from sin so that we would now live under fear, pressure and constant anxiety about earning God’s approval. The yoke Paul speaks about represents religious slavery, especially the idea that believers must keep certain laws to be accepted by God. Paul urges them to stand firm because freedom must be guarded. If believers are not careful, they can slowly drift back into performance based religion. True Christian freedom is not rebellion against God. It is freedom from trying to earn what Jesus already accomplished. Grace Versus Law. Galatians 5 verses 2 to 6. Paul makes it clear that if someone depends on religious rituals for justifi...

Scripture focus:  “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” KJV. Life is full of choices, and each choice we make is like laying down a sheet on the bed of our future. Scripture reminds us of this principle in Galatians 6:7 — “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” The decisions we make today, whether good or bad, will shape the comfort or discomfort of our tomorrow. When we choose honesty, diligence, kindness, and obedience to God, we are laying a bed of peace, joy, and blessing. But when we choose shortcuts, deceit, or disobedience, we prepare a bed that will be hard to rest on. God in His mercy forgives, but the consequences of our actions often remain as lessons. The devotion here is simple: be mindful of the bed you are laying. Each word spoken, each action taken, each seed sown is preparing the place where you will rest. If you desire peace, sow peace. If you desire joy, sow joy. If you desire eternal life, sow to plea...

Scripture Foundation - Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”   - Deuteronomy 6:6–7 – “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”   - Ephesians 6:4 – “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Reflection Parenting has shifted across generations—from patriarchal structures where fathers provided materially and mothers nurtured morally, to modern times where both parents work and children spend much of their formative years in schools or hostels. This shift has led to children being more influenced by peers and teachers than by their parents.     The absence of consistent parental guidance has opened the door to moral decay: indulgence in drugs, sexual i...

Key Text: “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” — Ephesians 4:14 (KJV) The Water Lily Analogy:  A water lily is a beautiful plant, but it is unstable. Its roots do not go deep into the soil, so the slightest push from the waves makes it sway back and forth. In the same way, an uncommitted Christian who lacks deep knowledge of God’s Word is easily swayed by every new teaching, trend, or voice that comes along. The Danger of Shallow Roots:  Jesus warned about this in the parable of the sower: “But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.” — Matthew 13:20–21   Without strong roots in Scripture, believers a...