Olabode Ososami's Blog, page 20
June 29, 2015
Immer
Nehemiah 7:40 The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.
Immer means “talkative” …a constant speaker. Words have much consequence and care is needed in how we use them. To be talkative is like someone who digs graves, falls in it and then digs himself out …only to dig in again…falling again – until we change our words and make them fewer. But communication is important when it is effective … no one knows what we stand for until we speak our heart …our actions can speak louder than words, but words can speak much.
The Bible says when we are silent, people conclude we are wise. It is good to have times of silence …when words are unnecessary and can only compound a bad situation. But there are also times when our words can carry enthusiasm, encouragement and comfort that makes all the difference to a despondent soul close to suicide. Location is important to God. When we speak too much …we have integrity gaps, making promise we cannot keep … given to subtle exaggeration and ultimately blatant lies.
The worst kind of leader creates an atmosphere of fear where the people cannot talk and they hold their feelings inside …locking up emotions which one day will break through the dam of fear and gush out …often to our dismay.
Be sensitive and cautious with words…weigh them carefully. Use only those that are necessary. Do not use what the Bible calls “swelling words”.
Verses for further meditation
Eccles 5:2; Jude 1:16
Thoughts for Business and the work place
Leaders can tune to different frequencies so they can get their message across to a wider audience. This is not the same as using swelling or careless words or making long speeches promising that which cannot be delivered.
Suggestions for Prayer
Lord, help me to hold my tongue when needed. Lord, let my yea be yea and my nay be nay …help my integrity. 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.
June 28, 2015
Jedaiah
Nehemiah 7:39 The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.
Jedaiah means “Praise Jehovah”. All glory must be to the Lord who is jealous not to share His glory with any. In business, politics or in the workplace, we can do things in a way that glorifies and praises God and we can do things anyhow. I recall a biopic of a well known business genius, who abandons his pregnant girlfriend and refuses to recognize his child, because it was not convenient for his dream and got in the way of his business. He later builds a business empire … back to find his children after he was thrown out of his business …he climbs back to reach the peak of his business only to die of a rare cancer. When we build in a way that glorifies satan, we can expect satan to call …more often at the end when our fall will be most damaging and painful.
But God is good. When He is praised by our decisions and ways, the outcome will be different. The path that glorifies God may be longer and more painful …sometime even thorny …but there is a peace that comes with divine presence, there is a strength that comes when the joy of the Lord accompanies all our endeavors. We know what praises God and what does not praise God …. This is a good litmus test for decisions.
Verses for further meditation
Psalm 83:18; Isaiah 26:4
Thoughts for Business and the work place
Passion can play an important role in our success. To be motivated by a constant drive seeking to praise God can be more important. Amen.
Suggestions for Prayer
Lord, let all my ways praise, magnify and please 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.
June 27, 2015
Senaah – Thorns
Nehemiah 7:38 The children of Senaah, three thousand nine hundred and thirty.
Senaah means thorny. Christ put on a crown of thorns. For Christians, the crown of thorns points to the suffering servant and messiah-king. Jesus was ready to endure the pain, the insults, and the shame, all on our account. The crown of thorns, and the suffering that went with it, are long gone, and Jesus has now received the crown of which He is worthy.
In a similar vein, there may be thorny periods needed before we can obtain the glory that will come after. There could be struggles that are part of the processes our businesses must go through to mature. Long periods requiring patient leadership when the team is prickly and almost unbearable only to transform later to winning squads. Thorns are painful …but sometimes have to be borne. Be careful not to suffer for foolishness or ignorance …ask God to help you know the difference between thorns that must be avoided and those that you have no choice but to carry. Christ put on His crown of thorns with grace …do not carry yours grumbling and cursing.
Thorns can also be God’s way of keeping you obedient like He did for Gomer in the book of Hosea.
Verses for further meditation
Hosea 2:6; John 19:2-5
Thoughts for Business and the work place
Teams can use thorny situations to discover new insights and untreaded paths, that would otherwise be inaccessible..
Suggestions for Prayer
Lord, guide my paths and lead me aright always. 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.
June 26, 2015
Conflict Resolution
Nehemiah 7:37 The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and one.
Lod means strife, Hadid means sharp or pointed while Ono suggests grief. Strife can be a weapon of sabotage that destroys from within resulting in much grief. Effective leaders can detect the seeds of strife early and know how to blunt the edge of its attack on organisations. There are times when silence will do the work, other times when a soft answer will turn toxic situations into harmless discourse. Using the right words to dispel confusion and anger is a blessed gift. I have seen effective leaders enter conflicts with confident tools to resolve differences. Avoid judgments, listen and permit unheard voices to speak …when the temperature begins to get hot …have a gentle answer and a kind compliment ready to change the mood as you search for a new reality to converge your thoughts.
Leaders do not just kill strife, instead they use it to generate better solutions and higher thoughts. Reflect on this next time you sense conflict arising. It could be an opportunity to be creative in generating a new solution.
Verses for further meditation
I Kings 3:5-10; Proverbs 23:9
Thoughts for Business and the work place
Creative teams may argue, but they have a common conviction after the meeting.
Suggestions for Prayer
Lord, give me wisdom like you gave Solomon. 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.
June 25, 2015
Do not Count God out.
Nehemiah 7:36 The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.
Jericho is a place of fragrance, a fenced city in the midst of a vast grove of palm trees…but we also associate it with the victory won by God for the people of God when the walls fell flat allowing a successful attack. The weapon of God’s people was their praise and their shout … and God fought for them. Do not count God out in your calculations. There are things God must do to help you win … keep on praising Him. We cannot rule out the fact the difference between God’s leaders and others is that we fight with supernatural help from the most High God. This means we can expect victories when others expect to fail. We have faith in our great God.
Other leaders depend on eastern meditation, gurus and other gods in various shades …some will claim to be atheists but look closer and you will see they serve other idols in some way. Many others have joined secret cults so they have access into the dark side of the supernatural …sometimes innocently, but more often not. There is nothing to be ashamed in admitting that we lead for the God of Heaven and earth who cannot be defeated. We can lean on Him and expect victories similar to the children of Israel before the walls of Jericho … as the children of God were praising the Lord.
Verses for further meditation
Deut 31:6; Joshua 14:11
Thoughts for Business and the work place
An idea created for an audience of one is selfish. Package your ideas in a way that can reach and be a blessing to millions of people.
Suggestions for Prayer
Lord, give me supernatural insights and strength that will multiply my efforts supernaturally for a greater victory in the marketplace. 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.
June 24, 2015
The Children of Harim
Nehemiah 7:35 The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty
One of the suggested meanings of Harim is “flat-nosed”. In Leviticus, it says none with any defect or is flat-nosed may come near God. But Christ our Saviour came …and He was so tortured and beaten, his likeness was marred beyond recognition … but He was the very Son of God. Despised, rejected … a man of sorrows ..and acquainted with grief. What defect has been mentioned concerning you and your idea? Christ has borne all the disqualifications for us and we can come through Him. Surrendered to Him, our salvation. The defective children are the ones we would like to discard, but God has not excluded you or any who comes through Christ.
In every defective idea is something that is precious that others will not see. There are many ideas that others would have tossed into the dustbin …but someone reached into the bin of discarded items and found great treasures …new ideas and inventions. In the bin of failed attempts and rejected applications are the most awesome possibilities ever discovered. In the rubbish dump of defective items … covered in a disguise of ugliness … but inside is a beauty waiting for someone to uncover.
Verses for further meditation
Isaiah 52:14; Leviticus 21:18
Thoughts for Business and the work place
Learn to look again …you may have missed something in that idea you discarded or person you are about to release.
Suggestions for Prayer
Lord, I thank you for the Cross of Calvary, where you paid for all my ugliness and qualified a wretch like me. 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.
June 23, 2015
Elam
Nehemiah 7:34 The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
One of the meanings of Elam is “eternity”… God’s eternity is our heavenly home – so beautiful and yet to be imagined or described for there are no words to illustrate how it will be as no mortal has ever seen it. This is God’s best … and why is it relevant to our building?
Often we build in the context of so many issues …tribal issues, national matters, politics, ambitions, dreams …but all of these will cease eventually and all that will remain will be an eternity in God’s bliss or perdition. Ponder over this … there will be no money, no shopping, no clothes, no titles, no lusts …only a life of praise and worshipping Jesus. If you do not want or thirst for God’s eternity, it is unlikely you will be there. It would be too boring when there are no more deals to win, when there are no markets to capture, no elections t win, no money to be made …what would you do in God’s eternity?
Ponder over your eternal destination and repent if you are not thirsting for God … nothing else will matter when you enter eternity and it would be too late to repent then. You do not know when …because God may call you anytime…
Pause often in your office and see if your eternity is still intact … ask yourself, how will this decision affect my eternity …how will my behavior in my home affect my eternity. You will come to the conclusion that your diligence is worth it … nothing is too much to give and God wants your heart. He wants you …to keep you and prepare you for His eternal provisions..
Verses for further meditation
Rev 3:12; Rev 21:2-3
Thoughts for Business and the work place
There is something more important than all we can ever see in this realm of time.
Suggestions for Prayer
Lord, do not let me miss your eternal bliss. Take whatever you must away that I may be with you forever. 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.
June 22, 2015
Proclaimer of Good News
Nehemiah 7:33 The men of the other Nebo, fifty and two.
Nebo means prophet or proclaimer. The good news is the gospel of Christ. Christ was the proclaimer of that good news and He has asked us to do likewise to carry the good news to others. The best news is that God wants us to come to Him. Yes, God wants you …broken as you are, He will fix the broken parts. May our life proclaim His salvation, the good news that He loves us …
You can also prophesy over your business and speak words of life over your business. You can declare that your business is blessed. Bless your employees and speak the words of life over them. You can be your own prophet and declare that by His grace you are God’s leader. For a change, stop criticizing yourself and encourage yourself …declare what God says in the word of God concerning you …David wrote so many psalms prophesying great things …but David could encourage himself … when he declares …”why so downcast o my soul …put your hope in God” … Say things that are yet to happen … begin to declare …” this venture will glorify the most High God” … “ my home and family will magnify the name of God” even when things seem upside down.
Every man, every business, every woman, every family, every leader proclaim something …they either proclaim God’s greatness, kindness and mercy or they are the devil’s billboard advertising evils. Commit to be God’s mouthpiece …and let your new idea proclaim His unmatchable creativity.
Joe_3:9 Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:
Verses for further meditation
Deut 20:10; Isaiah 61:1-2
Thoughts for Business and the work place
Every life, idea or venture sends a message. Ponder over the message your leadership will proclaim..
Suggestions for Prayer
Lord, we prophesy your peace, that the world cannot give or take – over our businesses, leadership, ventures, family and nation. 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.
June 21, 2015
Bethel and Ai
Nehemiah 7:32 The men of Bethel and Ai, an hundred twenty and three.
Bethel means “House of God” and Ai means “ruins” … When God’s house is in ruins, many miss the signs and focus their efforts on building their own houses … they miss the bigger issues and are carried away with their own ambitions and agenda. How sad.
Hag 1:6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. 7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. 8 Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD. 9 Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.
Do not build in ignorance. Do not build for vanity. First consider the state of the kingdom of God …let your first burden be for the things of God. Your concern and response to the call of God in your life as it concerns His kingdom must be of a higher priority or all your building will come to little. Do not think you can build your private business while you see your local church fallen into disrepute. Do not think you can celebrate a great national reconstruction when there is a dearth of the word of God, and His house is desolate and emptied with no resources and workers. That will not happen. You may not be a pastor or play a prominent role, but you cannot be unconcerned for needs in the Kingdom of God which you have grace to help in meeting. Get your priorities right …there are things you must do first. Go to God and ask Him to reveal how you can support His kingdom.
Verses for further meditation
Luke 6:38; 2 Cor 9:7
Thoughts for Business and the work place
The best leaders are great givers.
Suggestions for Prayer
Lord, show us the ruins in your house and how we can respond to them. 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.
June 20, 2015
Hidden Treasure
Nehemiah 7:31 The men of Michmas, an hundred and twenty and two.
Michmas means “hidden treasure”…and indeed there are times and ways in which we are a city set on a hill, but the best parts of us are still hidden … God’s treasure known only to God. The potential of the saint is God’s great secret and explains His patience and longsuffering over many of us. David wrote of this in one of his psalms.
Psa 139:15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. 17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
God has precious thoughts towards us because of the hidden treasure He has wrought in us that will one day be manifest. The chosen of God will not bring forth evil because what God put in them is not evil. It may not yet appear what we shall one day appear to be. Therefore be at peace with yourself knowing you were fearfully made – His perfect creation. I believe the saints are destined to good works although it may take a while and the process may sometimes appear extended.
Be patient with your team. You may not see the treasure hidden in them which God sees and so you must often go to God for answers and for illumination on how to respond and lead …especially when you observe many imperfections.
Verses for further meditation
Exodus 19:5; Proverbs 15:6
Thoughts for Business and the work place
Treat your people well … they are God’s masterpieces, many still in the process of unfolding their hidden beauty and potential in God.
Suggestions for Prayer
Lord, help us to be patient with the imperfections of others …knowing we also are not perfect. 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.
