Olabode Ososami's Blog, page 3

Marriage and Heaven

Nehemiah 13:23 In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab

Marriage is an extremely important issue. The wrong union is of extremely serious implications. You cannot be linked up with anyone as a child of God. Nehemiah was unhappy when he observed all kinds of marriages … many joined to the enemies of Israel unknowingly. The enemy understands that when he cannot cause a man or woman to fall, the best way to trip the saint is through wrong partnerships. This is of utmost importance especially to the young … this is one of the final issues pointed out in this important book. Many Christians still want counsel on that which God has made very clear. Women are attracted and caught up in strange lusts …and men want to get ahead …and marriage becomes a tool for convenience, self-improvement or just a means to satisfy lusts … no wonder Nehemiah is outraged.

God introduced stiff rules concerning marriage so that we understand that light cannot intermingle with darkness … so we know that in God – all is light and there is no trace of darkness…so we understand it is so easy to be impure, but keeping unstained requires sacrifice, determination and much discipline. A saint who has bought the mantra that he can live anyhow is already finished … while the one who sees a narrow road that few want to travel, sees a path that will lead to God’s heaven. Marriage has a strong impact on our chances of making heaven … take it very seriously.

Verses for further meditation

Mat 7:14; Prov 12:28

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Leaders inspire through higher personal standards of conduct.



Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, keep me unstained – all of my days. 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.

God, Order and Economics

One often wonders, if the laws of demand, supply and pricing are universal … like the law of gravity or would new knowledge one day reveal that these are contextual self-impositions that need not always have natural applications. Generally, they say if there is a low supply and a high demand, the price will be high. In contrast, the greater the supply and the lower the demand, the lower the price will be.

In the Bible, there are for example, instructive times of rationing and dearth … like in the famine in Egypt at the time of Joseph, where money stopped having value and people were provided based on provisions from a central granary.

Genesis 47:13  And there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very sore, so that the land of Egypt and all the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine. 14  And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house. 15  And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth.

I pray we do not see a situation where money fails … a worst case inflation scenario where money has little or no value. In Egypt, the monetary system collapsed completely as money became worthless. Again, may we never experience this. But from this, be instructed on where our true treasures should be …

How did the Egyptians respond when money stopped having any value and was literally exhausted, when apparently they could not “print enough” or apply enough “stimulus”? … Note their comments. Even the Egyptians knew that nothing goes for nothing … they must still find a way to pay a fair price as they offered to barter their possessions.

Gen 47:19 Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate.

But then someone is sure to say, we are not Egyptians. So let’s see another case … this time involving children of God – when the Prophet Elisha proclaims in the great famine in Samaria …

2Kings 6:25  And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass’s head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove’s dung for five pieces of silver. … 2Kings 7:1  Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the LORD, Tomorrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.

The foolish heathen adviser that did not know what God could do … said it was impossible … like many will say it is impossible for the pound to exchange for a naira as there will just not be enough. In this case, God does the miraculous and the Syrians abandon and flee, leaving behind a booty that changed the supply equation so dramatically – that prices crashed so much that the word of God came true as the Prophet said … with dire consequences for the adviser. Believe the Prophets of God in the land … not doing so can be dangerous.

In the New Testament, Christ also does the miracle of supernaturally feeding four thousand men not counting men and women with seven loaves and two pieces of fish (Matthew 15:33-38). Again supernaturally changing the supply equation … until there was more than enough … the little donation of a small boy was multiplied, and there was no need to buy more food. The prices of bread hawked near the sea of Galilee may have dropped as Christ supernaturally reduced the demand to buy or perhaps it did not change much in the wider metropolis – as it could if Christ had chosen to flood the whole Jerusalem with bread.  He could have.

What God did not concern Himself with nor did the rulers, in any of these cases was fixing or decreeing prices … abundance of supply or lack of it was always allowed to determine prices as it was even from the times of the Egyptians.

Fixing or manipulating prices (making them artificially low), economists warn, creates disorder and obscures the markets … fuelling corruption and profiteering or at its very best, legalises cheating albeit in a subtle and justified way … as opportunities must be rationed by some criteria requiring human administration… and who benefits but the few people in control and their trusted minions … others will be told to make sacrifices.

God is supreme and has limitless ways of releasing His undiminishable abundance … He can make the enemies of His people hear a noise and flee leaving behind a fortune or He can multiply out of almost nothing or do a completely new thing … but I still suspect He allows universal laws of pricing to prevail. Maybe it is because He is also a God of order and justice and not of confusion.

1 Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

Remember me

Nehemiah 13:22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.

Nehemiah commands the Levites to cleanse themselves, but looks up to God for mercy … seeks the face of God. The grace and mercy of God concerning him, also. Leaders need so much grace not to fall in the very things they correct … how the devil likes to discourage leaders by pursuing them with arrows of temptation to act in pride, self-righteousness … and foolishness. The tests of leaders will often be more gruesome … the chastenings of the leader are more hard to bear … the preparation for the saint who will go far in the hands of the Almighty will entail far more instructions and strict examinations.

Nehemiah knows this and so pleads to God for mercy and help. Nehemiah also needs cleansing, he also needs to sanctify the Sabbath …he is in no way exempt from the commandments – but God demands a higher standard of obedience. The true leader will be frightened of leadership positions and will not clamor for it – because he understands the responsibilities associated with it.

Nehemiah also prays to be spared from certain tests …he is humble to know that he will fail them … In the end he calls on the mercy of God when his heart is examined …he pleads the mercy of God to be made clean before God. Fools plead their work which to God are nothing but filthy rags.

Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Verses for further meditation

Matthew 5:6; Titus 3:5

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Be humble as you lead.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, remember me for good. Help me with your mercy. 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.

Cleansing

Nehemiah 13:22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.

We are commanded to be clean, to be separated …to be different. The word of God is God’s detergent, the water is the Holy Spirit … God’s soap is His chastening. We need these to be always clean before God until we see Him in glory. Nehemiah commanded …the people did not have a choice in the matter. The issues of separation are not debatable. The matters concerning His holiness should not be trifled with. Our cleansing should be continuous, constant … even when our deeds are right …our thoughts are often wrong and our motives much worse. God expects us to be without speck or wrinkle when He comes for us. How will that be when we do not regularly come under His cleansing.

Many do not like the chastening of God … some find the word of God too tedious … they eventually are left to cleanse in their own strength with their own means …only it does not work as they sink even deeper into more sinful mud. To remain watchful and vigilant in the things of God require God’s help … to break evil habits require the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Also to have a chance of partaking in God’s heritage we must expect His painful chastening – to help us make revolutionary but vital adjustments. God has given us His treasures of righteousness, but we must work it out with painstaking diligence.

Heb 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Heb 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

Heb 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

Verses for further meditation

Job 25:4; Mark 1:41

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Let God’s perfection in thought, word and deed be your goal.



Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, make me clean. 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.

Be Steadfast

Nehemiah 13:21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.

Honoring God and seeking His name to be lifted up can be a very noble thing. Fighting against things that bring dishonor to Him can however be a costly assignment. You will be hated…reviled and not just that … many traps will be set for you, to stop you. You must remain steadfast …always at your post and your guard. Using God to make money is common …commercializing worship is now a new norm … few speak against it …and those who do will have suffered for their courage. But steadfastness will one day be rewarded. In business you must be also different … find ways to distinguish yourself as a servant of God … especially in boldness. The best saints in history were bold saints … the saints who gave us the Bible, who did the most for the kingdom suffered greatly for their assignments.

What will you be known for as your accomplishment in the body of Christ? Who will stand when others fear men? Reflect on God’s assignment in your life? Are you running from tensions?

Genesis_15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Verses for further meditation

Deut 3:22; 2 Timothy 1:7

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Be strong and be of good courage

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, be always my strength and shield. 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.

Endurance, Love and Heaven

Nehemiah 13:21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.

To be a critic for God is to testify against that which displeases God. There are many things that happen around us, which we can either ignore or openly disagree with. It is so much easier to be silent in the presence of evils or to be neutral. Nehemiah was not that kind of person. He was not a man cultivating popularity, nor was he a man who wanted favours from men. He was able to stand on his own, taking shame and ridicule, because he had a cause he believed in and that was to serve God in restoring His laws and ways. Only those who endure will make it to Heaven. This could involve speaking against that which is wrong, but we must watch ourselves even more. Has our love become lukewarm even cold?

What are you testifying against? How do you testify against those things ? Nehemiah was bold … when he testified against a matter, it was not ever brought up again. Everyone knew where he stood on that issue … can we say the same of you or do you sit safely on the fence. Most can testify, but they do it for their belly not for the glory of God. What are you against?

But more importantly, what are you for. God’s Heaven has those who endure and who boldly watch and pray. Only those whose love did not wax cold will enter. Again I pray you make it.

Verses for further meditation

Deuteronomy 19:16; Psalm 50:7

Thoughts for Business and the work place

What do you stand for?

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, may my testimonies bring glory to 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.

The Ticket to Heaven

Nehemiah 13:20 So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.

Nehemiah said they were merchants and sellers of all kind of ware … the worst genre of traders are those who trade in souls …this is the modern church, outside the presence of the true God but still close enough to be able to lay claim as being of God. The true road to salvation is exchanged for an easy ride that promises ease, wealth and many gains. The ticket to heaven is released for a plot of land or a political position or some other comfort or advantage. Many do not know they have exchanged their path to heaven for a deception that only ends in the pits of hell fire.

God is not against trading and making profit – but any activity that is able to make God no. 2 or no 3 is the worship of idols, in whatever guise we may want to describe it. God must be supreme and above all in your life or He is not your God. How then do you know the difference between trading that pleases God and idolatry?

The issue is “who is first” …is it God, or is it profit, or pleasing men. Ask yourself as you go to the market … if you do anything that you sense could be unpleasing before God, then be certain you are offering your soul in exchange for whatever the transaction promises. Be cautious.

Verses for further meditation

Deut 6:5; Psalm 42:2

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Be watchful concerning your soul.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, guide me that I may put you first in all things. 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.

God’s Heaven

Nehemiah 13:20 So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.

Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote in his sequel to Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress a short story called “The Celestial Rail road” in which he identifies the ancient city of Vanity which receives deceived pilgrims from the train ride to hell, they disembark at this city of buying and much selling. There is a harmony between false pilgrims, no persecution in this place of pleasures. Many have made profit their God and distracted by a new gospel of gain and profits. Everyone has come for a bargain. Even the gospel is about what you can get and many are made to think Vanity city is already the eternal home …purple, fine linen and jewels matched with wit and humor, art …all packaged to amuse …but there was one strange thing about Vanity city. I quote Hawthorne.

“…There was one strange thing that troubled me; amid the occupations or amusements of the Fair, nothing was more common than for a person – whether at a feast, theatre, or church, or trafficking for wealth and honors, or whatever he might be doing, and however unseasonable the interruption –suddenly to vanish like a soap-bubble, and be never more seen of his fellows; and so accustomed were the latter to such little accidents, that they went on with their business, as quietly as if nothing had happened. But it was otherwise with me.”

“Soap-bubbles” the best description of the vain activities that keep us away from God …the distractions that have been so costly, that many missed God’s eternal best in its pursuit. I pray we meet in God’s Heaven.

Revelation 18:23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

Verses for further meditation

2 Chronicles 9:14; Revelation 18:11-15

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Vanity is the enemy of true value – beware of it.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, help me to have my eyes always on your eternity. 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.

Come with Joy

Nehemiah 13:19 And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.

Burdens can attack our joy and our confidence in God. Coming before God with joy is important. Joy tells God we trust Him and believe Him.

Isaiah 12:3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

Without joy we have no means of experiencing the completeness that salvation promises in Christ. Joy is important … God asks us to come before Him with thanksgiving, praise …and enter into a presence in which there is fullness of joy. Christ has already done so much, His love for us is a love that nothing can separate us from … His peace is a peace that the world cannot give or take away … I pray that whatever will not allow you to come to Christ rejoicing will be addressed. I pray that His complete work on the Cross will avail afresh in your life … reflect on what God has done for you … dwell on the great redemption that has already been wrought for you. Begin to thank God …begin to sing for joy. Watch all the burdens fall at Calvary. Do as David did … speak well to your soul.

Psalm 42:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

Psalm 42:6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.

Psalm 42:11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Verses for further meditation

Psalm 95:1; 2 Cor 4:9

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Leaders have many burdens, but still maintain pleasing attitudes.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, turn these tests to glorious testimonies. 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.

Burden Bearer

Nehemiah 13:19 And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.

Burdens can be painful to bear … they can be in the form of lingering hurts, prayers unanswered or obedience delayed. It is good to do all that is expected from us and at the right time too … but the most awesome miracle of God is His forgiveness … when He removes our burden of guilt, allowing us to come with boldness before His throne of grace. A son cannot come freely to His father when He fears so much for exposed misdeeds or wonders if God wants us to come to Him. But God knows us well …He knows our best and worst thoughts when they were only thoughts …and even long before we entertained those thoughts. Still He loves us … He forgives our sins, heals our diseases and redeems us from destruction.

How then can we be in Christ and yet so burdened? Why are we not able to take our burdens to Him …what peace we often forfeit says the hymn writer …what needless pain we bear.

Today, take all burdens to Christ … how can you be carried in a lorry and yet you have your luggage on your head …you can put the back at the back of the lorry… Reflect on this.

Verses for further meditation

Matthew 11:30; Gal 6:5

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Take all your Burdens – even problems in business to Jesus.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, I lay all my burdens down at your feet. 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.