Olabode Ososami's Blog, page 11

Shemaiah of the Levites

Nehemiah 11:15 Also of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hashub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;

The meaning of “Shemaiah” is “whom Jehovah heard” ; another name mentioned as well as the genealogy going back to four generations. It is not everyone that gets the response of God when prayers are offered.

Reflect on what Isaiah the Prophet said of those who God refuses to hear …

Isa 59:1 Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. 3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. 4 None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity. 5 They hatch cockatrice’ eggs, and weave the spider’s web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper. 6 Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. 7 Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. 8 The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace. 9 Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness.

Isaiah describes the iniquity and sins that cause God to hide His face. Hands defiled with blood (assassins and those who abort babies), lips that have spoken lies (politicians) , tongues that muttered perverseness …agents of oppression and those who are entertained with watching injustice …those trusting in vanity (putting their reliance on Godfathers, money ) etc…

God will not hear these people irrespective of what they ask for. Who can we turn to when God refuses to respond to our cries? Leaders are wise to study these verses to ensure they are not grouped with those that do these misdeeds.

Verses for further meditation

Job 16:16-17; Psalm 62:10

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Leaders are sensitive to certain taboos God Himself defines in His book. Injustice is one of them

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord , hear me when I pray …in mercy let my cries be heard. Amen.

As Nehemiah’s wall was built,  so will we see a reconstruction in all that may appear in distress and in waste. Nehemiah trusted and feared God, putting his faith in the Almighty whose strength is limitless to exceed all our expectations. Look out daily for Nehemiah’s Wall in 2015 and do invite friends to subscribe to the free email or social media posts.

I am praying someone with a burden to be used by God in building will receive a fresh vision and get the job done.

To subscribe to the devotional, please  enter your email address (the left column) above the “subscribe” button (and enter on the green button). God bless you.

Recessionproofchristianlife.com is a privately owned blog/media site started in 2009 as the internet ministry of the author. It promotes the absolute authority and divine inspiration of the Holy Bible as the Word of God – Infallible and Sufficient.

 

Gifts

Nehemiah 11:14 And their brethren, mighty men of valour, an hundred twenty and eight: and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of one of the great men.

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Zabdiel means the gift of God and he was a leader amongst the great men overseeing one hundred and twenty eight mighty men. These were probably soldiers or a band of fighters and they had their hierarchy. The father of Zabdiel was the son of a great man. A gift is something given that will not be paid for in future (because someone else has paid for it) . There is a difference between a gift and wages which is paid for work already done …and a loan which is payment for which a repayment us expected. What is the ultimate gift of God ?

Rom_6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Eternal life through Jesus Christ is the ultimate gift …the price for the gift was paid by Christ on the cross, any other payment will be double payment. Only Christ did this and thus there is absolutely no other salvation but Jesus Christ. But since all have sinned, the rest will have to receive the wages of their actions …which is death … the first which is physical death, the second death being eternal damnation in the horrific caves of hell fire.

We have the option to receive a gift or accept the wages of sin. But why do many reject Christ? First, Christ said none can come except the Holy Spirit draws them. Also because of pride, we prefer to have something we can say we did ourselves …like our morality, or our goodness – which is still the basis of other religions, but called “filthy rags” in the Bible.

Leaders have to be cautious with gifts, as some of these are not quite gifts but subtle prepayments for services that will be expected. There is always something inspiring gifts …with God, it is His love for His children … be sure you know what is inspiring the gift you are receiving … if the giver is potentially expecting some service in return, know that someday you may find it was not actually a gift.

Exo 23: 8 And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.

Verses for further meditation

Proverbs 25:14 ; Ephesians 2:8

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Leaders do not accept gifts anyhow …they generally exercise caution and reject expensive items. Organisations set policies to regulate these matters.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord , give me the wisdom to deal with gifts of men. Amen

As Nehemiah’s wall was built,  so will we see a reconstruction in all that may appear in distress and in waste. Nehemiah trusted and feared God, putting his faith in the Almighty whose strength is limitless to exceed all our expectations. Look out daily for Nehemiah’s Wall in 2015 and do invite friends to subscribe to the free email or social media posts.

I am praying someone with a burden to be used by God in building will receive a fresh vision and get the job done.

To subscribe to the devotional, please  enter your email address (the left column) above the “subscribe” button (and enter on the green button). God bless you.

Recessionproofchristianlife.com is a privately owned blog/media site started in 2009 as the internet ministry of the author. It promotes the absolute authority and divine inspiration of the Holy Bible as the Word of God – Infallible and Sufficient.

 

Amashai – Burdensome

Nehemiah 11:13 And his brethren, chief of the fathers, two hundred forty and two: and Amashai the son of Azareel, the son of Ahasai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer

The burden of the Lord is light because we have the comforter to help us through. Amashai – meaning burdensome – is named with his genealogy. But there are burdens of God. Obedience can be a burden when the flesh has another idea on how things to be …the narrow way can seem to be restrictive when a broader way is also available. Saying No can be burdensome when everyone is asking us to say Yes. Confessing sin can be embarrassing when we can justify or deny wrongdoing. The Comforter has a work to carry our burdens, when they are laid down at the Cross. Christianity without the Holy Spirit is impossible. To do things right without the supernatural help of God can be unbearable. There is also the burden of the word of the Lord …the burden to put into words what God wants to be heard and read.

Leaders know that being ethical can be burdensome especially in environments where bribery is not uncommon. Improving government processes by removing bottlenecks, unnecessary costs and making it easy, less burdensome, for people to do business in the community improve overall attractiveness of those communities.

Burdens are lifted at Calvary.

Verses for further meditation

Mathew 11:30 ; Malachi 1:1

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Leaders must be prepared and helped with many burdens.

Suggestions for Prayer

Holy Spirit, carry all my burdens …for they are burdensome. Amen

As Nehemiah’s wall was built,  so will we see a reconstruction in all that may appear in distress and in waste. Nehemiah trusted and feared God, putting his faith in the Almighty whose strength is limitless to exceed all our expectations. Look out daily for Nehemiah’s Wall in 2015 and do invite friends to subscribe to the free email or social media posts.

I am praying someone with a burden to be used by God in building will receive a fresh vision and get the job done.

To subscribe to the devotional, please  enter your email address (the left column) above the “subscribe” button (and enter on the green button). God bless you.

Recessionproofchristianlife.com is a privately owned blog/media site started in 2009 as the internet ministry of the author. It promotes the absolute authority and divine inspiration of the Holy Bible as the Word of God – Infallible and Sufficient.

 

Adaiah – The Witness of the Lord

Nehemiah 11:12 And their brethren that did the work of the house were eight hundred twenty and two: and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchiah

Another name – Adaiah meaning “the witness of the Lord” is named and the lineage presented. A witness is someone who gives evidence or testifies before a judiciary to support a case of prosecution or defence. Satan has His accusers of the brethren testifying to our eternal damnation, but our advocate is Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit our witness. The Holy Spirit testifies that we are children of the Lord, and that a full payment has been made for our sins. There is no case for the children of God to answer. It does not matter that the accuser of the brethren screams ‘unfair … unfair …unfair”. God answers “satan …you were given the opportunity to punish, crucify and completely mar the physical body of my only begotten son who was innocent – Jesus Christ, the lamb of God that taketh the sins of the world … and this was for the sins of all who are destined as joint-heirs with Him … there can be no double punishment for the same sin …case discharged”

Heb_10:15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

1Jn_5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

The brethren did the work of the house even as there are many workers in the kingdom, but the witness of the Lord inspires all the work that pleases God. There is an active collaboration between the Holy Spirit and kingdom workers.

The accusers of the brethren watches, as witnesses of satan, for any who griefs the Holy Spirit and descends on him to accuse. Without the defense of the Spirit of Truth, he defends in vain. Remember that the witness of the Holy Spirit is not to discuss the offense or excuse the deed …but to use the crucifixion of Christ to justify the wounded sinner. The Holy Spirit points to Christ.

Verses for further meditation

Romans 4:5 ; Romans 8:33

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Justice demands consequence for actions…someone must pay when things have been done wrong.

Suggestions for Prayer

Holy Spirit, help me not to grieve you? Amen

As Nehemiah’s wall was built,  so will we see a reconstruction in all that may appear in distress and in waste. Nehemiah trusted and feared God, putting his faith in the Almighty whose strength is limitless to exceed all our expectations. Look out daily for Nehemiah’s Wall in 2015 and do invite friends to subscribe to the free email or social media posts.

I am praying someone with a burden to be used by God in building will receive a fresh vision and get the job done.

To subscribe to the devotional, please  enter your email address (the left column) above the “subscribe” button (and enter on the green button). God bless you.

Recessionproofchristianlife.com is a privately owned blog/media site started in 2009 as the internet ministry of the author. It promotes the absolute authority and divine inspiration of the Holy Bible as the Word of God – Infallible and Sufficient.

 

Seraiah –Soldier of Jehovah

Nehemiah 11:11 Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, was the ruler of the house of God.

The name of another ruler is mentioned – Seraiah which means “ Soldier of Jehovah”. A soldier is disciplined, under command in an army, and does as trained to do and instructed. There is little creativity for the soldier who in the battle lives for the next orders …he knows he survives if he does as trained to do. I read of an interview of a soldier who fought in the world war on what he remembers during the war, and he replied “ we lived from day to day …just following orders, afraid and trying to stay alive …” In God’s army we fight the good fight of faith … with spiritual weapons …we take orders from the word and from spiritual leaders based on the word of God … some are shipwrecked, many wounded and heal later … some don’t survive the battle. But the major difference is that this war is fixed … God and all that are His wins and celebrate victory with Him.

Jehovah is the Commander in Chief and He is not Winston Churchill …He is the creator of all including the enemy and knew from the foundation of time even the thoughts your enemy will have tomorrow. The only way of safety is therefore to remain close to Him…let His word richly dwell in you … and His word promises that we are more than conquerors.

Sadly, there is a lot of experimentation or shall I say creativity which many believe is a modernization of matters of faith … the outcome is only a defeat. Go back to the Commander in Chief for instructions and battle orders.

Psa_24:8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

Verses for further meditation

Proverbs 21:31 ; Zech. 14:3

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Business leaders know that there is a Corporate Battle field

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord Jesus, hide me in your victories. Amen

As Nehemiah’s wall was built,  so will we see a reconstruction in all that may appear in distress and in waste. Nehemiah trusted and feared God, putting his faith in the Almighty whose strength is limitless to exceed all our expectations. Look out daily for Nehemiah’s Wall in 2015 and do invite friends to subscribe to the free email or social media posts.

I am praying someone with a burden to be used by God in building will receive a fresh vision and get the job done.

To subscribe to the devotional, please  enter your email address (the left column) above the “subscribe” button (and enter on the green button). God bless you.

Recessionproofchristianlife.com is a privately owned blog/media site started in 2009 as the internet ministry of the author. It promotes the absolute authority and divine inspiration of the Holy Bible as the Word of God – Infallible and Sufficient.

 

Forgotten Names

Nehemiah 11:9 And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer: and Judah the son of Senuah was second over the city. 10 Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin.

God takes notes of individuals we may elect to forget. It is God’s narration of history that matters. We remember Nehemiah, Ezra, Jeremiah and Isaiah but who are these other heroes in God’s book. God wants us to know that they are not forgotten.

God wants it to be known that Nehemiah could not have succeeded without the willing contributions, roles and sacrifices of so many people. People who offered themselves to relocate, people who acted as officials …people who were priests to help them understand the forgotten laws of God and many servants that just served. So many important sacrifices were made and God insists that many names be honored in this book.

There are many contributions that are not described that God has recorded in His book. In a similar vein, God has not forgotten nor has He missed your contributions and most importantly, He has His complete book of people who will be greatly honored in His eternity. The fact that no one notices your contribution today is no reason to feel forgotten. God has not forgotten and you will be rewarded.

Verses for further meditation

Jeremiah 31:16 ; Proverbs 20:6

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Leaders reward the contributions that are not as visible … many doing much that seems unnoticed.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me to serve you in whatever role, location or conditions you have ordained. Amen

As Nehemiah’s wall was built,  so will we see a reconstruction in all that may appear in distress and in waste. Nehemiah trusted and feared God, putting his faith in the Almighty whose strength is limitless to exceed all our expectations. Look out daily for Nehemiah’s Wall in 2015 and do invite friends to subscribe to the free email or social media posts.

I am praying someone with a burden to be used by God in building will receive a fresh vision and get the job done.

To subscribe to the devotional, please  enter your email address (the left column) above the “subscribe” button (and enter on the green button). God bless you.

Recessionproofchristianlife.com is a privately owned blog/media site started in 2009 as the internet ministry of the author. It promotes the absolute authority and divine inspiration of the Holy Bible as the Word of God – Infallible and Sufficient.

 

People of God

Nehemiah 11:7 And these are the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jesaiah. 8 And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight.

Why is God boring us through Nehemiah with these lists…why are so many verses dedicated to listing families and their lineage …surely, this adds little value. But a closer look reveals to us some insights. First, we are reminded that God works with families, His covenant and promises always include and have impact on our children. In a similar fashion, when we fail in spiritual things … it has implications for our children’s children. God shows His faithfulness even to future generations centuries ahead.

The other thing that this verses seem to be telling us is “remember you are my people …and I know you, knew your fathers and will know your children …go and be different …be peculiar.” God puts in His everlasting book the names of the families of Israel … recording His everlasting covenant with them. God has even a better covenant in Christ Jesus which does not set aside His great promises.

Faithfulness matters with God. As He has been faithful to us …can we say likewise that we have been faithful to Him.

Verses for further meditation

Psalm 36:5 ; Proverbs 20:6

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Leaders understand that they are stewards of resources who must model the example of faithfulness

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord Jesus, teach me how to be peculiar in faithfulness. Amen

As Nehemiah’s wall was built,  so will we see a reconstruction in all that may appear in distress and in waste. Nehemiah trusted and feared God, putting his faith in the Almighty whose strength is limitless to exceed all our expectations. Look out daily for Nehemiah’s Wall in 2015 and do invite friends to subscribe to the free email or social media posts.

I am praying someone with a burden to be used by God in building will receive a fresh vision and get the job done.

To subscribe to the devotional, please  enter your email address (the left column) above the “subscribe” button (and enter on the green button). God bless you.

Recessionproofchristianlife.com is a privately owned blog/media site started in 2009 as the internet ministry of the author. It promotes the absolute authority and divine inspiration of the Holy Bible as the Word of God – Infallible and Sufficient.

 

Honor Valiant Men

Nehemiah 11:6 All the sons of Perez that dwelt at Jerusalem were four hundred threescore and eight valiant men.

The sons of Perez were valiant men … noted for boldness and great exploits. The culture of the Jews had a memory for what people did and honored greatness. They did not forget peoples accomplishments and had names etched in honors for posterity. The culture of honoring performance will result in replication of performance all over the land. Also, when mediocrity is honored, mediocrity spreads in similar fashion.

Four hundred and sixty eight sons of Perez are honored as valiant men in Nehemiah’s records. It is important for leaders to pick out positive role models and to honor excellence and performance if this is to spread all across the land. The populace will seek to emulate these people who must be very cautiously selected. The Bible is not a book given to flattery nor does it contain exaggerations.

When we etch the names of honorable men in history, we paint a future that will reproduce similar acts of valor and valiance. When we honor rogues, thievery continues to thrive.

Psa_49:20 Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.

Verses for further meditation

1 Chronicles 29:12 ; Matthew 13:57

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Leaders recognize, honor courage and performance.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord Jesus, let your name be honored every day in our lives. Amen

As Nehemiah’s wall was built,  so will we see a reconstruction in all that may appear in distress and in waste. Nehemiah trusted and feared God, putting his faith in the Almighty whose strength is limitless to exceed all our expectations. Look out daily for Nehemiah’s Wall in 2015 and do invite friends to subscribe to the free email or social media posts.

I am praying someone with a burden to be used by God in building will receive a fresh vision and get the job done.

To subscribe to the devotional, please  enter your email address (the left column) above the “subscribe” button (and enter on the green button). God bless you.

Recessionproofchristianlife.com is a privately owned blog/media site started in 2009 as the internet ministry of the author. It promotes the absolute authority and divine inspiration of the Holy Bible as the Word of God – Infallible and Sufficient.

 

The Work of Jehovah

Nehemiah 11:5 And Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Colhozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of Shiloni.

A name for example is mentioned and traced to seven generations. The name means “the work of Jehovah” and when mentioned, confesses that all that they are doing is the work of God. His parentage is traced back to seven generations linking him to seven other names. A good name is protected because it will not just affect you today but it will be in the records and can color impressions even up to seven generations after.

In societies where history is so carefully recorded and the records of names and what they did carefully kept, one will observe a caution to preserve a good name or rescue one that has been damaged. In all, there tends to be an ordered decorum and deliberate efforts for good in society so that the name gives present and past generations a positive brand to build on.

Verses for further meditation

Exodus 6:3 ; Esther 6:1

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Leaders understand the importance of archives and record keeping.

Suggestions for Prayer

Jesus is the name above all names. In that name, we pray that your will and purposes will prosper in our lives. Amen

As Nehemiah’s wall was built,  so will we see a reconstruction in all that may appear in distress and in waste. Nehemiah trusted and feared God, putting his faith in the Almighty whose strength is limitless to exceed all our expectations. Look out daily for Nehemiah’s Wall in 2015 and do invite friends to subscribe to the free email or social media posts.

I am praying someone with a burden to be used by God in building will receive a fresh vision and get the job done.

To subscribe to the devotional, please  enter your email address (the left column) above the “subscribe” button (and enter on the green button). God bless you.

Recessionproofchristianlife.com is a privately owned blog/media site started in 2009 as the internet ministry of the author. It promotes the absolute authority and divine inspiration of the Holy Bible as the Word of God – Infallible and Sufficient.

 

More Names

Nehemiah 11:4 And at Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Judah; Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalaleel, of the children of Perez;

To the Jews, names matter very much. When God changed “Abrams” name to, “Abraham”, every time Abraham put out his hand to greet someone and said my name is “Abraham”, he was saying, telling them, “I am a father of many nations” even though he had no child as at then. Soon, by accepting and confessing his name, that fact came into being. Names have an important dimension to our identity and future … renaming things brings rebirth and the hope of new identity.

Also, genealogy also counted very much …i.e. where we come from, parentage. This could contain important genetic insights to help manage health, but also improves a sense of identity and loyalty. A nameless person with no parental history is as someone with nothing to protect …no brand to live up to…soon to become a vagabond. The first assignment God gave Adam was to name living creatures …think on this.

Gen_2:19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.

Like God renamed Abram, perhaps there are situations that need to be renamed …or we could say rebranded.

Verses for further meditation

Gen 12:2 ; Revelations 19:16

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Leaders understand the power of brands and names.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord be magnified as you make our names great. Amen

As Nehemiah’s wall was built,  so will we see a reconstruction in all that may appear in distress and in waste. Nehemiah trusted and feared God, putting his faith in the Almighty whose strength is limitless to exceed all our expectations. Look out daily for Nehemiah’s Wall in 2015 and do invite friends to subscribe to the free email or social media posts.

I am praying someone with a burden to be used by God in building will receive a fresh vision and get the job done.

To subscribe to the devotional, please  enter your email address (the left column) above the “subscribe” button (and enter on the green button). God bless you.

Recessionproofchristianlife.com is a privately owned blog/media site started in 2009 as the internet ministry of the author. It promotes the absolute authority and divine inspiration of the Holy Bible as the Word of God – Infallible and Sufficient.