Olabode Ososami's Blog, page 18

The Sense of the Law

Nehemiah 8:8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.

Spiritual renewal only comes with God’s word. The Holy Spirit is our teacher, as we are convicted and instructed in righteousness. It seems that after reading, extra group work with additional illustrations helped the people actually understand the sense of God’s law. This verse suggests that specific areas of distinct emphasis were further elaborated on. Even as their hearts had been prepared by the Spirit of God, they began to understand what was being read and explained to them. They understood that the sense of the word of God is to live it in our daily lives and apply it to our actions and reasoning. The word is not to be admired as poetry or rare wisdom but as a guide for daily living. This is the sense that they got.

Until we apply the word of God to our everyday actions, reactions and decisions, we are yet to get the sense. You may need more time to meditate on the word, but soon it will be shining as a guiding lamp telling you what to do and how to do it. God’s leaders understand and know the sense of daily application of the word …. they know divine insights can never contradict the word of God and so they are not deceived by appearances.

Pro_3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Verses for further meditation

Psalm 119:105 ; Psalm 48:14

Thoughts for Business and the work place

The sense of the word of God is its practical application to daily living.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, keep me in your word, obedient and leaning not on my own understanding. 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.

 

Change Agents

Nehemiah 8:7 Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place

One way of accelerating change is to find like-minded voices … these are trusted change agents who can speak for change. These can help with communication and sharing the vision. Nehemiah spreads the roles, finds more people with the priests to help the people understand the law and what they need to do differently. I suspect Nehemiah is building his team gradually …and the people are being carried along.

Organisations tend to have communication strategies, with well-crafted messages to be carried by carefully selected change agents. Communication is extremely important to establish new ways and this needs to be done wisely. The wrong change agents will immediately cause controversy and division … or will not be trusted or respected causing the people to sit in disinterest. But this is not the situation here. The people here are attentive, respectful …. as they stand, each one in his place.

Christ had twelve disciples … they carried the gospel far and wide. The Holy Ghost moved and a fire spread, but people like the Apostle Paul were key agents of the fire.

Verses for further meditation

Matthew 9:37 ; Acts 6:7

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Leaders can find and empower the right change agents.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, help us to be your disciples indeed even in the market place. 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.

 

Worship in Spirit

Nehemiah 8:6 And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

They worshipped with their faces to the ground. The posture of their worship is well detailed in the text as though this is important – and indeed it is. Their posture declares that they are nothing and God is all things and in every way supreme. All plans must bow before God. God’s leader knows that God is in charge and no mortal can control or direct God. Humility is evident in accepting what God brings our way especially in correcting our well set ideas. The leader is a good listener as God can choose who He will use to communicate to us. The leader is gentle and patient, because the bible says it is the meek who will inherit the earth. We can go to God to give us a new leadership model which magnifies His rule over all that we do.

Solomon went to God for wisdom and worshipped lavishly …pleasing God so much that he got even that which He did not ask for. But prosperity can cause us to forget that wealth is meant to establish His covenant that all may worship Him. Under Nehemiah, they started well by worshipping God but this attitude needs to be maintained.

Verses for further meditation

Exodus 34:14; Deuteronomy 11:16

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Humility sits well on effective leadership.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, help us never to stray from worshipping you alone. 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.

 

Worship

Nehemiah 8:6 And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

They worshipped with their faces to the ground. The posture of their worship is well detailed in the text as though this is important – and indeed it is. Their posture declares that they are nothing and God is all things and in every way supreme. All plans must bow before God. God’s leader knows that God is in charge and no mortal can control or direct God. Humility is evident in accepting what God brings our way especially in correcting our well set ideas. The leader is a good listener as God can choose who He will use to communicate to us. The leader is gentle and patient, because the bible says it is the meek who will inherit the earth. We can go to God to give us a new leadership model which magnifies His rule over all that we do.

Solomon went to God for wisdom and worshipped lavishly …pleasing God so much that he got even that which He did not ask for. But prosperity can cause us to forget that wealth is meant to establish His covenant that all may worship Him. Under Nehemiah, they started well by worshipping God but this attitude needs to be maintained.

Verses for further meditation

Exodus 34:14; Deuteronomy 11:16

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Humility sits well on effective leadership.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, help us never to stray from worshipping you alone. 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 People Stand

Nehemiah 8:5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:

Standing suggests respect and agreement. If you enter a court room, there is an atmosphere of formality, respect and order …even the dress of the judges, lawyers wig and the decorum puts you in no doubt that the law is important and serious matters will be discussed even if the judge was your old school mate. Personally, I sense it is so sad that so much informality has crept into worship and devotion, I cannot help suspecting that many do not respect the will of God or even care for His pleasure. It was not always like that. The Jews often stood in respect of the word whenever it was read.

Informality is not sin, but there is value in some of the old ways … fearing God, giving honor to Him and the word and being silent and respectful when the word is shared, could imply that you do take Him seriously. It is not all traditions that should be thrown away. Even in business, society and in families there can be good traditions that have positive contribution to the culture that should be kept. When children are taught not to respect elders …soon they will disrespect parents and the law, eventually creating chaos in society.

Study the old paths and traditions … seek to learn from them … do not be quick to modernize everything. Teach your children to respect godly virtues.

Verses for further meditation

Isaiah 58:12 ; Jeremiah 6:16

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Informality should not be allowed to breed disrespect and disorder.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, put us back on the right paths and preserve us from deviating into error. 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 Authority of the Law

Nehemiah 8:4 And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.



The rule of Law is one of the pillars of any successful society. Ezra stood on a wooden pulpit above the others … this signifies the truth that no one is above the law. Not even his assistants, who are closest to him, they hear most clearly and must understand that even they must obey the law. It is a good thing when rulers and princes bow to the law just as much as the common people. The law has a blindfold and is exalted above prejudice, status, connections, intellect … all must obey.

This sounds so obvious but it hardly applies in many communities as laws are bent and adapted in various ways to allow the advantaged to escape its directives. When governors and chiefs are seen to be under the law there is an excellent example for all to follow.

Christ the only begotten son of God who bore our sins and carried our sorrows could not escape the harsh wages demanded by the law …God had to look away as His dear son screamed in pain …Where the authority of the law is strong there is order …but obedience must be top-down … showing example to ordinary citizens … who follow suit.

Verses for further meditation

Proverbs 29:2 ; Matthew 7:9

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Leaders understand the importance of the authority and rule of law for progress.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, help our legal institutions to be what you ordain them to be. 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.

 

Involvement

Nehemiah 8:3 And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.

We observe not only that for hours the book of the law is read … but that the people are attentive. They are silent and they listen carefully. We are also told that all the people were involved. Involvement is different from communication, but both have to go together. Oftentimes one must wait until you can get everyone involved and on the same page, before you can communicate … if you want the attention of people. There are ways of getting the attention of the people and making sure they participate. There are people with skills to help ensure you apply the right communication approach for your audience.

You recall, that the people asked Ezra to bring out the law and read it to them. They did not ask Nehemiah and it seems Nehemiah was in the background allowing the scribe to do his job. Leaders understand that different people must play different roles and to get the people’s attention, you must find the right person that will command their undivided attention.

God opens the heart of the people to receive His word, there is unity and patience to hear and understand through extended hours of listening.

Verses for further meditation

Luke 19:47-48 ; Psalm 119:4

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Leaders recognize that people have to be carefully chosen based on the audience to be at the frontline of communication, for them to be attentive.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, give our communities grace to hear, obey and seek the truths that will set them free and be at peace. 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.

 

Hearing with Understanding

Nehemiah 8:2 And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.

The law must not just be heard, but also understood. There is need to explain what the law means and what it does not mean … how it applies and does not apply. The priest brought the law, not just anybody. They had a chief ethical officer to guide them in interpretation and application. For example, it is not enough to say that operations forbid bribery, but it helps to explain both the giver and taker are guilty … it also needs to be clear that even if the bribery is not consummated, the suggestion constitutes violation of standards.

Standards can be carefully communicated with seminars involving case examples so that ideas are well embedded in the minds of people. An organization can use simple surveys to test understanding during orientation seminars.

Education and awareness sessions are required to ensure that people understand and not just hearing. Many of these education and awareness events need to be regularly repeated. Citizens cannot be expected to know and understand laws that have not been well explained to them.

For Nehemiah, hearing and understanding the laws of God were to be first major steps as the people settled in their houses.

Verses for further meditation

Joshua 1:8 ; Psalm 1:2

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Leaders know that principles require explanation, understanding and constant repetition to help the people in adhering to them.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, help us to understand how you want your ways to be applied in our nation, community, family or business. 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 Book of the Law

Nehemiah 8:1 And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel

Unity is extremely powerful … when leaders inspire single focus and an agreed direction, the team can be unstoppable. But unity can also be to achieve the wrong things. We must pray that God works a unity to move His plans forward in our lives. Also note that it was the people who asked for the law of Moses as their new constitution. God also blessed the people with a hunger for righteousness and truth to give the right foundation.

Law and order are very important for any community. Righteousness exalts a nation. When both combine there is a decency, peace and stability that provide a base for economic progress. Even in business, establish the values and principles that must guide how things will be done. It is important to state, ahead of future events, how decisions will be taken … what will guide actions and no-go areas. Providing Ethical philosophies for conduct of business is not an obvious matter. This must be given deliberate attention. When there is clarity on what the business stands for, from an ethical perspective, one can then move forward to build and empower people, knowing they are familiar with the boundaries and principles that cannot be violated in achieving envisioned goals.

Not all laws are Godly …nations and communities are set apart by the fairness of their laws.

Verses for further meditation

Matthew 5:17 ; Exodus 13:9

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Leading companies have ethical standards manuals showing principles of behavior that cannot be violated.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, give us a hunger for your truth and righteousness. 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.

 

Grace to Give

Nehemiah 7:70 And some of the chief of the fathers gave unto the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests’ garments. 71 And some of the chief of the fathers gave to the treasure of the work twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand and two hundred pound of silver. 72 And that which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand pound of silver, and threescore and seven priests’ garments. 73 So the priests, and the Levites, and the porters, and the singers, and some of the people, and the Nethinims, and all Israel, dwelt in their cities; and when the seventh month came, the children of Israel were in their cities.

There is something that marks out God’s children and that is the uncommon grace to give and keep giving till the work is done. Giving without compulsion, cheerfully and willingly. This is not limited to money, but also time, talents, gifts …giving love …even as God gave His only begotten son …generously and abundantly as Christ Himself gave His life. The Spirit of God works through us this rare grace. Consider how Abraham gave Isaac and how Isaac released His life to God.

We are not told that Nehemiah pressed the people for gold … rather we read that they abundantly gave without prodding. Perhaps your business, political service, role as father or mother in the family can be a rare act of giving. A business that is a blessing to mankind will succeed … a life that is a gift to humanity will not be easily forgotten. All can give, from the wealthiest to the most needy. The widow of Zarepath, the supposedly barren Hannah, Ruth who gave her chances for a husband by leaving Moab …etc. Sacrificial giving that hurts but is borne gracefully. The Bible says it is better to give than to receive … On the contrary, the devil and his agents are recognized for greedy taking, need for immediate gratification and recognition …like Haman, they chase after honors and are ready to kill for it.

The people did not rest in their cities until they had generously given to the work. I pray we and all that we do will be beautiful gifts to society and that all that come in contact with us and/or our enterprise will be blessed. Remember the grace to give as God gives speaks of cheerful generous and sacrificial giving.

Verses for further meditation

1 Samuel 1:20-22 ; Genesis 22:9

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Leaders are rare gifts sent by God as channels of His blessing and for the furtherance of His work.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, give us grace to give as 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.