Olabode Ososami's Blog, page 27

A Good Response

Nehemiah 5:12 Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.

God will touch the hearts of those who hear you to give a good response. Nehemiah was given a good answer. They agreed, they obeyed the direction of Nehemiah. Reformation had started with equity …removing the burdens on the weary. Helping the poor and lifting the fallen. I pray you begin like Nehemiah began. God is concerned about the oppressed and He is interested in their plight ….searching for leaders who will make life better for them …not for the elite. He needs bankers that will give loans at next to nothing to the impoverished …funds that will be used to improve the welfare of the people.

A good response came because Nehemiah was leading by example. A good answer came because Nehemiah cared for the less priviledged. A good response was also the work of a good God working through Nehemiah and guiding all his utterances.

What do you care for? What example are you showing? Are you concerned about self and selfish comforts? ..or are you like Nehemiah. Nehemiah did not dismiss the cries of the weak and oppressed although this could have been distracting to his focus on the building. But there is a church love is building and another that loves its buildings. For Nehemiah, love and compassion was driving all that he did. What is driving your agenda? Ambition? Ask God to search your heart.

Verses for further meditation

Proverbs 15:23 ; Isaiah 58: 4-6

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Good leaders may have a momentary and patient tolerance for ambiguity and deviations; but over time they will be seen to abhor injustice.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, search my heart and see if there be any wicked way in 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.

 

Bold Instructions

Nehemiah 5:11 Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them.

Leaders must be courageous in giving direction. The sound of the trumpet must be clear. Nehemiah is bold, detailed and clear in saying what must be done. Instructions especially when they are corrective must be clear. I have seen a few who for fear allow doubt and vagueness to shroud their instructions. They fear the ridicule of being disregarded and so they give unclear instructions and deliberately allow vagueness. Nehemiah is not like this. His words of correction are bold, clear and complete. None can be left in doubt as to what is required. Being direct can be costly to the speaker but in the long run it is better.

I have also met leaders of few words. The problem that follows is that there are many different interpretations of their intentions and directions and soon chaos quietly seeps into their spheres of control. It is best to think well and long on what must be said and then speak clearly and without guile.

It is not everything we say that people will like or accept … but they will come, perhaps slowly, to respect the one who is bold and fears none but God.

Verses for further meditation

Psalm 32:2 ; 1 Peter 2:1

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Honest plain words will always connect better than sentences seasoned with guile. Leaders are bold in correction …fearless to say exactly what needs to be done.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord let my communication be clear. Deliver from guile and fear 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.

 

The Power of Example

Nehemiah 5:10 I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury.

Leading has to be by example. You cannot change what you yourself are guilty of engaging in. The first adjustments the leader must make is with himself. Are you benefitting from what you say is wrong? If you are, then make the adjustment first before you seek to correct others. Nehemiah presents himself as an example of not partaking in usury. Example is more powerful than sermons. People will respond to our character and practical evident example more than to our words. If you want people to be punctual, then you must also be punctual. If you want a virtue to be demonstrated then be the first to imbibe and demonstrate it.

There is nothing more phony than a leader who asks for zeal but is not zealous …demands honesty but is not even perceived to be honest. Even perceptions count heavily when it comes to example. Be sure you are living what you are preaching and doing what you are asking others to try.

Joh_13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

Lead by going in front …. Be visible in doing that which is right.

Verses for further meditation

1 Peter 2:21 ; Hebrews 4:11

Thoughts for Business and the work place

A great example lived before followers is superior to a million words.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord help to always show the best example …let Christ be seen in 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.

 

Bring Correction

Nehemiah 5:9 Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?

Leaders know how to bring correction. Leaders know they need much grace to straighten the crooked …often first in self …in the mind, before it manifests in evil action. Nehemiah speaks of an absence of the fear of God. When we fear God and do not want the reproach of the heathen, we will be careful to do the right things. How can we build a just nation, when the builders themselves are unjust. Good things will not come out of bad vessels. It is wise to spend time to correct wrong thinking and foundational problems. Ethics must be emphasized early in starting a business or project before it manifests in future troubles.

The fear of God, is that not the beginning of wisdom. Many things will not be done, said or even contemplated if we fear God. ask yourself, does your walk reflect the fear of the unseen God who sees all things. If not, you should be the first to repent your ways. You are not ready yet to lead when you yourself will not be led by the God you are asking others to fear.

Learn to correct … fearing God. Encourage others to fear God.

Verses for further meditation

Gen 20 :11 ; Psalm 67:7

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Without Ethics, built on the fear of God … we only build on sand. The floods will come to test in the future the foundation of our constructions.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord teach me to fear 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.

 

Peace

Nehemiah 5:8 And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.

Our God is the Prince of Peace. His peace is a sign of His wisdom. The Holy Spirit will cause a wisdom to be uttered that all will have nothing to say. God’s leader must be acquainted with the Holy Spirit and be His vessel of peace. Watch for those in the team that always raise strife and appear to heat up situations …but cherish them that are gifted to bring peace and silence the riot that could have emerged. In business, conflict can be useful to birth creativity, but you will need peace to build. You cannot build without peace.

Observe communities always at war or in one form of strife or the other … you will find little development and poor competitiveness. Go to the peaceful places and you will see that they have made far more progress. It is so much better to delay actions that are potentially disruptive because you must have peace … sometimes at all costs. Peace comes from God and only those truly in tune with God will find it. Be determined to follow after peace.

Verses for further meditation

Heb 12:14 ; Romans 14:19

Thoughts for Business and the work place

It is so much better to be reconciled than to be right. Learn the habit of nurturing peace

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord give us your peace that the world cannot give or understand. 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.

 

Consult with Yourself

Nehemiah 5:7 Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.

God has given you a counsellor. His name is the Holy Spirit. He is the Comforter, the Helper promised to lead and guide the saints. In a time of anger, pause and consult Him that dwells within you. Do not speak until you have heard Him. He does not contradict the word of God nor will He prod you into evil. Instead, He rebukes, comforts, admonishes and brings useful correction into situations. Even in starting your business, it is not unlikely that you will encounter scenarios that cause anger to boil in your heart … but pause, go to the Holy Spirit. Leave it to Him for a while. Soon you will have the right words to say and your wisdom and words will astound your hearers.

Luk 21:14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

Do not dwell for hours planning revenge, or rehearsing an attack … ask God for the mouth and wisdom which your adversaries are unable to resist or flaw. Learn from Jesus, to reply rashness with wisdom.

Joh 18:22 And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so? 23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?

Verses for further meditation

Isaiah 32:4 ; John 18:33-34

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Wisdom, that eclipses anger and avoids rashness – is a rare virtue

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord teach us your ways … Holy Spirit, be my counsellor and helper. Help my weakness in wrong words. 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.

 

Angry for a moment

Nehemiah 5:6 And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.

Injustice should make us angry … but only for a moment. Actions can be very wrong when borne of passions. Instead we must learn to pause until we are in the right frame of mind. Anger is temporary madness. It can help you to move in the right direction, but in most cases, it will cause the wrong decisions. Often times we must discipline ourselves to choose our battles. We must learn to discern and remain focused to remain where we have been called and do what God has ordained of us. Nehemiah’s anger will propel him to lead and direct changes for the better.

When you were last angry …do you remember what happened? Did it end with a positive decision or an action you regretted?

Do not permit your anger to rest in your heart …becoming a festering bitterness.

Ecc 7:9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

Do not permit the enemy to prey on your anger and use it to destroy you. Be careful … be watchful, you may be about to destroy that which you have been called to build.

Verses for further meditation

Gen 49:7 ; 1 Samuel 17:28

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Nothing breaks communication down better than angry words. Choose your words carefully. Fight the anger that wants to come to the surface.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord help me to reply angry words with a soft and apt response to dissipate the tension. 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 your Confessions

Nehemiah 5:5 Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.

What are you saying? Listen to your confessions. Right in the midst of a great new beginning, the enemy has sown very negative thoughts and words to paralyse the involvement of your team. Our words can make or mar … they can destroy or they can build. We must learn to say “It is well” even through the toughest trials. Remember the woman who lost her only son.

2Ki 4:18 And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers.:19 And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother. 20 And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died. 21 And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out. 22 And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again. 23 And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well. 24 Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee. 25 So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite: 26 Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well.

How can we learn to say it shall be well … it is well, even in the midst of the worst situations? We must practice saying what our eyes of faith see. The eyes of heaven sees your venture as a success, your new home as a success, your business ventures as a success and your marriage as a success. Begin to speak the words of what you expect and not the troubles you see. Soon, things will change.

Verses for further meditation

Job 27:4 ; Psalm 35:28

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Showcase your strengths and not your troubles.



Suggestions for Prayer

Lord teach me to speak words that edify 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.

 

More Troubles

Nehemiah 5:4 There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.



Nehemiah is being overwhelmed with so many negative thoughts …murmurers and complaints …many valid. Leaders wish they will hear nice things, but in real life they are surrounded by many things that have nothing to do with the assignment and so much injustice that cannot immediately be corrected. Listening more, only produces more echoes of issues and problems. Now they complain about the taxes … after they complained about the dearth and if you give them more time they will have more things to complain about. Leaders have learnt to deal not just with the task ahead but so many other matters …some distracting in an obvious way, while others will slow us down by the sheer weight of the matters.

Nehemiah does not have all the answers. Leaders do not have all the answers …they are successful because they know what they must do in the next few hours. They do not want to give you the right answer to impress … rather they are concerned about the task God has given them to do.  How can we be focused when so many tares, issues, problems want to weigh us with their worries? What do you do to be effective?

Go into the word of God. Go deeper into God …find out the next act expected of you and do it. Learn to prioritise and leave the rest to God. Keep praising Him. Keep loving Him. God will sort many things out without you. Ask God to help you sense what must be the immediate issues for attention and what must be left to Him. Do not expect everyone to agree with your sense of priorities.

Verses for further meditation

Psalm 34:19; 2 Cor. 6:4

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Effectiveness can be learnt.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord teach me your ways … strengthen me for the work ahead.

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.

 

Mortgaged Lands

Nehemiah 5:3 Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth.



The people come to Nehemiah with more of their problems. Financial problems, land problems, food problems … problems. Nehemiah is under pressure to take off his focus from the task God has given him to do. In the parable of the tares and the wheat, we see the devil has sown tares and so as the harvest comes up, the tares also come up. You may only see around you the tares but not the wheat … may we find grace to see the greatness when so many distractions surround us. There are things we can do nothing about for the moment and must leave in the hands of God.

Do you know that there are things that must just be left alone …soon they will burn out, the hunger will pass, the dearth will pass too. The times of trouble will pass if we leave it alone. Nehemiah must rediscover his focus or the enemy will have accomplished his agenda to slow him down and intimidate him.

Verses for further meditation

Matth 13:25-30; Exodus 14:14

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Remain focused even when there is much that cannot be addressed at the present moment.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord teach us to trust God and His commitment to His great work.

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.