ojaysjoel blog

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this I will be confident." Psalm 27:1–3 KJV  Reflection:  Fear often creeps into our lives when we look at our circumstances rather than the God who rules over them. Whether it is an unexpected crisis from the outside or deep-seated anxiety within our own hearts, threats can easily feel overwhelming. Yet, David writes Psalm 27 not from a place of comfortable isolation, but from the heat of conflict. He knew what it felt like to be hunted, outnumbered, and surrounded by foes. What made the difference was his perspective: David did not measure the enemy against his own strength; he measured the enemy against God . Notice the three powerful declarations...

"Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words".  2 Timothy 4:14-15  KJV  Devotion: Forgiveness is mandatory for spiritual peace, but unconditional accommodation is not required—forgiveness releases the heart from bitterness, while trust and access must be restored through proven change over time. At its core, biblical forgiveness is the deliberate choice to surrender resentment, forgo personal retaliation, and release an offender from their moral debt.  In Colossians 3:13, the Apostle Paul commands believers to "bear with each other and forgive one another... Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Similarly, in Matthew 18:21-22, Jesus instructs Peter to forgive an offender "seventy-seven times," emphasizing that releasing offense is an ongoing duty of grace.   However, forgiving an offender does not mean you must act as if the offense never took place. ...

Scripture focus: "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison."   James 3:8 KJV. The Smallest Part, the Greatest Destruction ​The tongue is one of the smallest muscles in the human body, yet it holds remarkable power. James describes it as a wild beast—unruly, restless, and capable of inflicting deep damage. Just as a tiny spark can set a vast forest ablaze (James 3:5), a few careless words can burn down relationships, shatter trust, and wound spirits.   ​Left to our own human willpower, no man can tame the tongue . We may control our external actions, but when anger, pride, or fear surface, our words quickly reveal what is truly happening within us. ​A Matter of the Heart ​Why is the tongue so hard to control? It is ecause it is directly connected to the inner self. Jesus revealed the root cause in Matthew 12:34:  ​ "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."   ​Our words are merely a dipstick measuring the state o...

Scripture Focus:  "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."  Proverbs 22:6 (KJV) Reflection: Anchoring the Next Generation In a fast-moving world, culture shifts rapidly—but God’s standards remain steadfast. Many of us notice a growing trend in modern society: young people struggling with basic respect, resisting constructive correction, and treating elders with indifference rather than honor. It can be discouraging to watch, whether in our homes, our workplaces, or our communities. Yet, God’s Word reminds us that this is not a time to throw up our hands in frustration; it is a call to action. The mandate given to us in Proverbs 22:6 is clear: training a child requires intentionality. It demands that we actively mold character rather than letting the culture passively shape it. Raising responsible, godly young people relies on four biblically grounded pillars:  Intentional Discipline: True biblical discipline isn't about a...

"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." Jeremiah 33:3 KJV. Devotion: At its core, prayer is a heartfelt dialogue between the Creator and His children—a genuine demonstration of faith, trust, and surrender rather than a mere recitation of words. As Hebrews 11:6 reminds us, coming to God requires a belief in His existence and in His promise to reward those who earnestly seek Him. Expressed through spoken words, quiet silence, or even the unuttered groanings of the heart, prayer serves as both an act of adoration and a humble petition before God. This dynamic communion fulfills several essential purposes in the life of a believer. It deepens intimacy with God, imparts peace and courage during difficult trials, provides divine guidance and wisdom, and serves as a vital spiritual weapon. In Jeremiah 33:3, God extends a personal invitation to fellowship, promising to answer and reveal great, unsearchable truths to those...

Scripture focus: Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Ephesians 5:21 KJV  Marriage, an institution created by God was never meant to be a competitive battleground or a transactional arrangement where two people simply share an address but a home of love, respect, peace, harmony and joy. In the mind of the Creator, marriage was designed to be a living, breathing picture of grace, unconditional devotion, and covenant unity.    When a Christian home aligns with God's prescription, it transforms into a quiet sanctuary of peace—a beacon of light standing resilient in a turbulent world. God’s blueprint for a Christian family is not built on power, control, or rigid dominance, but on the enduring foundation of mutual honour, selfless sacrifice, and spiritual harmony.   Long before Scripture outlines specific roles within the home, it establishes a foundational command: partners must yield to one another out of reverence for Christ. "Submit to one an...

Scripture focus: Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.  Exodus 20:12   KJV  Devotion: The command to honour our parents is one of the earliest instructions God gave His people, and it carries both spiritual and practical blessings. In Exodus 20:12, God says: “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” This is not just a cultural value; it is a divine principle. Why Honour Matters: - Obedience to God: Honouring parents is directly tied to obeying God’s Word. When we respect them, we show reverence to the One who placed them in our lives.   - Blessing and longevity: The Apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:2-3 that this is “the first commandment with a promise” — that it may go well with us and we may enjoy long life.   - Reflection of love: Honouring parents is an act of love that mirrors God’s love for us. It te...