Olabode Ososami's Blog, page 7

Separated from Mixture

Nehemiah 13:3 Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.

This devotional today speaks of a separation that was immediately done – not from just the evil, but from the mixture. God desires purity and we can only obtain purity in Christ – nowhere else. Everything else is a mixture of culture, tradition, good ideas and some religion. Christ is the living word. Christ is our example. Christ is our peace … Christ is our all in all … our everything. We cleave to Christ – His words of forgiveness will comfort the broken sinner. His truths are eternal and do not change with context. His healing is awesome – raising even the dead and stinking.

There is a difference between Christ and mixtures. Men are often found to be full of mixed emotions, conflicting emotions and we cannot be sure of their singleness to put our trust in them. Most advise from men is all about self-preservation …the wisdom of men, often called emotional intelligence will get men very far, but will fail when it matters the most – when you need a supernatural sustenance …the mixture fails.

When we cleave to Christ, we find we have come apart from so many things. It becomes evident that we are chosen and different – we stand out, and in many situations considered aloof …but we radiate a love of God that enables the exchange of our feeble selfish gestures for being a truly living sacrifice controlled by God.

Today is a good day to ponder afresh. Have I been separated from the mixed multitude or do I find my comfort in their assemblies? Ask God to separate you to Himself … today.

Deuteronomy 10:8 At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day.

The separated life may not be fun. It comes with responsibilities but there is much grace.

Verses for further meditation

Romans 1:1; Galatians 1:15

Thoughts for Business and the work place

There is a price to be God’s leader – it entails a separation to Him

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, let me be separated fully 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.

Immediate Response

Nehemiah 13:3 Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.

There are things that must be quickly adjusted to. Once the word of God has shown you that something is wrong or displeases God, we do not wait for further consultations or need another advice on how to deal with it. It calls for an immediate response – an action of obedience.

James 1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was..

A looking glass lets us know what we look like, but if we do not correct while the glass is still in front, we can miss out on the accuracy of what needs adjustment. The word of God is there to let us know – what we need to do and not do. Our faith comes by hearing and our hearing is activated by the word of God. We may think we hear God, but have you not observed that when many people are told a thing, they often are discovered to hear differently.

Find a Church, where the word of God is preached – it will do you far more good than the most charismatic encouragement. There is a strength that comes from the word of God, a spiritual enablement that cuts through the thick skin of pride and the calloused heart …melting demonic resistance and encouraging a response that honors God. It is not just reading and teaching the Bible … religious knowledge teachers do that with no impact … a preacher, broken in Spirit, filled with the Holy Ghost … expounds on the word of God …and your heart hears God – not the preacher. The Bible says in the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the word was God. Go and start afresh, repent …go and hear God’s word.

Verses for further meditation

Proverbs 30:5; Mark 7:13

Thoughts for Business and the work place

When did the word of God last break the hardness in your heart?

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, may your word ever be a shield for me as I put all my trust in its directions. 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.

Turned to a Blessing

Nehemiah 13:2 Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing



God does many awesome things …but I sometimes sense His greatest works demonstrates that the irreversible can only be reversed by Him. Even the willing captives can be rescued … He turns the worst curses and makes the most evil vessels to bring only blessings to His children. How can I explain this? God is not limited in who or what He uses … you may think you are doomed because wicked men have been hired against you, but know for a fact that because you are His child, He turns even their worst plots to your advantage.

Balaam could only be a blessing to the children of Israel – even though well paid to do them evil. I pray that God will so shower you with so much grace that blessings are poured upon you even from the least expected situations. Be still and let God defend you and help you – do not strive …if indeed you are His, you will be as a magnet pulling only blessings to you – even amongst the wicked. But never forget that this is the work of God and always be thankful and praise Him. Stop fretting. You are blessed already … you cannot be cursed. God sees to that. But remain obedient to Him who sustains you.

Deut 28:6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.

Verses for further meditation

James 1:12; Psalm 32:2

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Be unafraid of those who boost that they have cursed you. God changes curses to blessings for His children.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, may your blessings, goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life. 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.

Hired

Nehemiah 13:16 There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.

There are many who say they work for God …others see themselves on some journey for God. And then there are those who have named and claimed their fees …what they believe they deserve from God. The reality is that many are hirelings who will only work if they will be paid and paid well. These are the ones who believe they are blessed …they are gifted in prophecy but fear speaking truth so they hire themselves out to the highest bidder and sit at the choicest locations waiting for someone in need of a good prophecy. Then there are those that will be bought for a bad prophecy, a curse … they teach the shortcuts, and say the way of God is as the ways of men … men will love them …but they bring the people under the curse of their fleshly worldliness. They are well rewarded. You will see these hirelings in their luxury cars and homes …teaching people that their gain is evidence of God’s approval of their craft.

But their end is always bad … suddenly they are no more seen. Those that love and hire them, that give them generous offerings in the hope that they will flatter them are also God’s enemies. The flesh is at enmity with the spirit … they cannot ever be in harmony …nor can hirelings ever bring comfort to God’s children.

Indeed God is a rewarder …but you must wait on Him … His rewards extend beyond the natural realm and His best is saved for His eternity for those who still believe and look to it. Others grab and scheme to get and say God has blessed them. They do not know they have been hired by their fleshly lusts, only useful to curse the unsuspecting.

John 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

Verses for further meditation

Genesis 12:3; John 10:13

Thoughts for Business and the work place

There are rewards worth waiting for …be not in haste for gain.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, show me how to trust and wait for your reward … help me not to spoil my eternal heritage. 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.

Choose Carefully

Nehemiah 13:1 On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever;

Why does God forbid certain company? He is a God of Grace …was Ruth not a Moabitess. But God is also a God of rules … and His rules are not grievous …they are for our own good. God knows it takes years, to rebuild and strengthen our faith and be who wants us to be …but only a day of pollution can bring things down so fast. It is so much more difficult to get a pure white pigment than to stain it which takes seconds.

The best way to defeat sin is to keep it far from your dwelling. Interactions with people who do not know your God must be guarded … because we are in a battle in which satan wants no prisoners, but a complete destruction of our joy, peace and relationship with God. Does this mean we are not to interact? Of course not, but it does mean we should be sensitive to dangers especially when we forge close relationships with those who do not share our faith. Many have fallen under the laps of many Delilahs … many Solomons have been bewitched by strange women and their ways. So much of God’s ways have been diluted which is even more dangerous than outright disregard – we can be more easily brought to repent outright variations from God’s word, but we celebrate subtle deviations and many are led astray.

The one who is safe has been protected by God’s grace …but if we mix the ways of the heathen with the things of God and call it grace … we slip into a sleep from which only God in His mercy can awaken us. It is best to obey God like a child.

Psalm 119:140 Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.

Verses for further meditation

Proverbs 30:5; Mat 5:8

Thoughts for Business and the work place

There are things that must be kept out and never embraced. Adjust immediately when God reveals these to you. Discover them in His word.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, let your words be a lamp unto my 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.

The Last Chapter

Nehemiah 13:1 On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever;

The last chapter of the book of Nehemiah begins. The end of a thing must be more important than a beginning. I pray we all end well and finish the race appointed to us. It would be sad to do so much only to discover that we erred in that which mattered the most. Our assessment will come from the word of God and not what we think or how people see us. Nehemiah brings to our attention that the opened the book of Moses which contained the laws of God. A lot has been said about the law … many do not like God’s laws and will flaunt a derogatory tone “legalism” at any who seeks to live by it. Indeed, there is none that can meet the law perfectly, which was why Christ came to do that on our behalf …but this does not mean we do not love the laws of God. A disdain for God’s law results in even less love for Christ who paid the price to fulfil all God’s requirements from the law. It is not possible to love God and not love His laws.

Psalm 119:97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

Psalm 119:113 I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

David was flawed in many regards, but the laws of God were his delight …as he meditated on them. Teachings on grace have caused many to forget about God’s laws and when they encounter them, to disparage them as old fashioned or even unfair. In exchange for God’s laws we have the ever changing laws of men which especially when it comes to family, marriage and relationships, have become increasingly alienated from the written laws of God. But how can we know or love what we do not even read. Do not abandon reading the books of Moses in your study …enjoy discovering divine meanings, patterns and how Christ and His salvation is revealed even in the tabernacle worship, in the rules, regulations and many customs prescribed for the children of God. God is a God of boundaries, rules and instructions …our liberty is not liberty to enjoy disobeying them … nor does grace abound so we can poison our lives with toxic lifestyles. Rediscover God’s patterns and enjoy the grace that causes you to choose the herbs over the dainty meats of Babylon.

Verses for further meditation

Rom 13:8; Psalm 119:165

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Everything needs boundaries – be certain your employees know what can or cannot be done on behalf of your corporation or organization.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, help to love your laws and embrace your commandments. 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.

All Israel Gave

Nehemiah 12:47 And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron

Giving is so integral to understanding nation building. Remember those famous words of John F. Kennedy ‘ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country’, … or ask what you can give rather than seeking to obtain or be given. Everyone can give something, not the same thing in terms of quality, quantity or even in the nature of giving. Some are blessed to give time, others give their talents …many give material things … but few can give rights for the benefit of others. There is much that God asks us to give …our soul, our life our all, sings the famous hymn writer; Every day is a day to give. Someone gave a testimony on how giving up a place in the queue opened the doors to witness to others. The Bible says God so loved that He gave. Mark these words, it is so more blessed to be the giver in any situation, no matter how the outlook presents itself.

Incurable givers are often pictured as fools … which widow will give her last meal …which Hannah will give up her Samuel … which Daniel will give up the opportunity for a prime seat with the King and chose the gates … who will give up an appetite that can be satisfied with dainty meats – to instead fast and wait for God … who will give up a lucrative legal career, like Paul to be stoned and chained like a common criminal. Only the blessed can give as they should … they are the poor in spirit, who think little of themselves … they are the ones who mourn while others giggle … they are the peacemakers who will offer their sacrificial offerings …

I observe many who excelled in much but not in giving. The love of God in us compels us to give … it is the exchange of our self for Christ reigning in us. Christ having set the ultimate example when He said at Gethsemane …”not my will, but thine.”

Have you pondered over the will of God for your life, and surrendered to its chains in true freedom. Much like John on Patmos.

Verses for further meditation

Rom 12:1; Ephesians 6:7

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Every day can be an opportunity to give.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, take my will and make it thine, it shall be no longer mine. 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.

 

Days of Nehemiah

Nehemiah 12:47 And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron

How will your own days be remembered? What will be said of your leadership. In the days of Nehemiah, there was generous and sacrificial giving unto God and there was sanctification … being set apart for God to please God and not men or traditions. These days were days of holiness … days in which everyone stayed in their own role and played their part well … porters, singers, priests … there was order, no confusion. The days were days of joy … God given joy. These were also days of adequate provision …no one lacked – everyone got their portion.

Can you compare to these days …where holiness is almost never spoken of. Few things can be said to be truly dedicated to God … sanctification is not known or understood …and many lack, while others hoard their substance. There is much sighing … May the days change for good.

Your leadership will affect the times and we will say the days of Mr XXX or Mrs YYY. I only pray those days will be good days fondly remembered.

Verses for further meditation

Leviticus 22:2; Luke 1:49

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Every leader impacts the days in which he leads. By the days, the leader is known.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, may your holiness be seen in all that I stand for. Teach me to sanctify my all 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.

 

Songs of Praise and Thanksgiving

Nehemiah 12:45 And both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their God, and the ward of the purification, according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son. 46 For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God.

There are songs and there are songs of praise and thanksgiving. What kind of song are you singing? Who is being praised when you sing …is it you, your talent or demonstration of skill or is it God? Ponder over this. We should examine our songs …what kind of music or singing do we allow our homes to be filled with.

Many showcase their talent…nothing wrong in this … but God has no intention to share His glory with any. He will not permit an idol even though disguised as talent. How about the lyrics of the song that we sing … are they full of empty repetitions or do the words that we sing have meanings that magnify the greatness and glory of God.

The hymns are no more cherished, sadly. In the hymn books are beautiful expressions of praise … the thanksgiving of a generation of saints whose fruit has been tested …lives that have passed, but who left behind a legacy of Godliness. There are many songs that have come from places that we do still have no certainty of divine approval. Note that Nehemiah reminds us that the singing was linked to the commandments of David … in the manner that David gave thanks and praised God. We need anchors of some sort for our praise and worship – the word of God, the testimony of tested fathers. Too many are moved by talent and artistic expression or skill … and soon miss God.

Do not disdain God ordained worship because it seems old fashioned …worship is not meant for us, but for God.

Verses for further meditation

Job 35:10; Psalm 119:54

Thoughts for Business and the work place

Be sensitive to the music and songs that surrounds your life.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, may praise never cease from my lips.

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.

 

Purpose of Giving

Nehemiah 12:44 And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited.

God gives us wealth so that His covenant may be established. He also appoints ways to gather the wealth, and appoints portions for priests and Levites. We are God’s priests … and we will be taken care of. It is not God’s wish that His priests should worry about where their food will come from. God reserved adequate portions for us …He takes care of us, not requiring us to compete in the rat race of life.

There is a competitive mindset and there is a God mindset. In God we are provided for by supernatural means. We always have enough. Do not go into business to make money for yourself. This is a wrong motivation. Know that God takes care of you and does not need your business to cater for your welfare … even though He may decide to use it. Again observe the atmosphere of rejoicing. When we live for God … working and investing in God’s way … we will have enough – but much more importantly God will ensure that we have cause to continually rejoice. God knows that we cannot rejoice when our needs are not met – so He makes it His business to see that our needs are met. We even have more than enough to bless others.

Verses for further meditation

1 Cor 10:24; Deut 8:17

Thoughts for Business and the work place

The purpose of your business is more than to earn you means of living. God is your provider.

Suggestions for Prayer

Lord, let me not fail in giving … be my provider, always.

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.