The Valley of Berachah

And on the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berachah, for there they blessed the LORD; therefore the name of that place was called The Valley of Berachah until this day. Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat in front of them, to go back to Jerusalem with joy, for the LORD had made them rejoice over their enemies. So they came to Jerusalem, with stringed instruments and harps and trumpets, to the house of the LORD. And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel. (2 Chronicles 20:26, New King James Version) This chapter marks one of the most unusual battles ever fought in Scripture. There was a battle won by simply marching around a wall. (See Joshua Chapter 6). There was one won by commanding time to stop (See Joshua Chapter 10). And the one that most people are familiar with is the battle won by a teenage boy who used a slingshot (See 1 Samuel Chapter 17). Yet in this Scripture, the weapon of choice was to praise and worship God. Jehoshophat (whose name means “The Lord has judged (as in decided)”) is out numbered by the enemy. However, he decides to fight the enemy not with military weapons, but with spiritual ones. And the weapon of choice was praise. The result? The valley, which was supposed to be his place of destruction, was named “The Valley of Berachah”, which means “The Valley of Blessing”. Merlin R. Carothers, a chaplain in the military, wrote a classic book called “Prison to Praise”. Maybe during this “new season” we should become more proficient with this “new weapon”. It’ll bless our lives! PRAYER: Holy Spirit, teach me and give me a new spirit of praise unto God. It is time to turn my Valley of Baca (“Sorrow” see: Psalms 84:6) into a Valley of Berachah....
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Fresh Bread August 12: The Dragon!

Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the DRAGON and his angels. And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels (Revelations 12:7-9, NLT). The word “dragon” here is derived from a Greek word “drakon”, which means “serpent” or “seafish”. Dragon also has another etymological meaning: The One with the Deadly Glance. And the word “glance” means: a brief look or viewpoint. Thus, this word “dragon” tells us something about Satan. It is not saying that when he looks at us, his looks can kill. What it’s telling us is that one of his deceiving devices is to give us a “viewpoint” that will lead to self-destruction (Proverbs 14:12). There are deadly glimpses that he tries to work into our hearts (attitudes) (See: Proverbs 4:23). The following are his three deadly viewpoints: Passion. These are desires (sometimes lusts) that lead to our destruction. Pessimism. This is when one constantly has a negative outlook on situations. Panic. This is when a person is constantly gripped by fear and apprehension. PRAYER: Father, help me to possess Your outlook for my life. Far too often I’ve allowed Satan to deceive me with his viewpoint on my relationships (passion), my career (pessimism), or my financial circumstances during these difficult economic times (panic). Father, help me to yield myself to the viewpoint of the Holy Spirit. For it is His job to guide me into all truth (John 16:13). In Jesus’ Name,...
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Fresh Bread August 8: 08.08.08!

(1) God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. (2) God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (3) God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. (4) God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. (5) God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. (6) God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. (7) God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. (8) God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when people mock you…and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. (Matthew5:3-12; NLT) Today marks the beginning of the 29th Olympic Games, which will be held in Beijing, China. However, today’s date is not referred to as August 8, 2008. Today’s date is being advertised as “08.08.08” or #080808, for many people all over the world consider “eight” to be a lucky number. Though as Christians we do not believe in lucky numbers, there is the study of biblical numerology which cannot be ignored. The significance of the number Eight in the Bible is that it represents the number of “New Beginnings”. After the flood, God started over again with Noah and seven others. God placed a new dynasty over Israel using David, the eighth son of Jesse. And when Jesus was introducing the new era of His Kingdom, He began by teaching His followers eight new attitudes (rules) they needed to follow – we call “The Beatitudes”. I believe today marks the beginning of something new God has prepared for your life! PRAYER: Holy Spirit, it is Your responsibility to guide me into God’s reality (Truth) for my life (John 16:13). Please show me the new thing God desires to do within my life, which starts today, so that I might cooperate with You as You do His will and work through me....
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Fresh Bread August 6: The Seeker-Sensitive Church

Thank GOD! Call out his Name! Tell the whole world who he is and what he’s done! Sing to him! Play songs for him! Broadcast all his wonders! Revel in his holy Name, GOD-SEEKERS, be jubilant! Study GOD and his strength, seek his presence day and night; Remember all the wonders he performed, the miracles and judgments that came out of his mouth. (1 Chronicles 16:8-12, The Message Bible) This entire chapter is a psalm written by King David. It describes the attitude a person ought to have when he attends church. The 21st Century American Church has coined the phrase “Seeker-sensitive” to describe churches that are sensitive to the needs of non-church goers and the things that are a “turn-off” to them. The objective is to make them more inclined to attend church. Therefore, the service is geared more to the worshiper than to The One who is to be worshiped. Although this strategy may fill our churches with more people, our main objective should be to turn these individuals into true “God-Seekers”. A true God-Seeker is one who: (1) Tries to find God (like needed keys lost in our homes), (2) Looks for God (like a person one needs to find in a crowd), (3) Pursues God (like a man in love with one specific woman), (4) Hunts for God (like a person who goes job hunting), (5) Tracks down God (as if there’s a bounty or reward if He’s captured), or (6) Aims for God (as if one fears he will miss his life’s target). PRAYER: Holy Spirit, far too often I come to church looking for everything and everyone but God Himself. Help me! Teach me to be a God-Seeker. For, in becoming a God-Seeker, I know that my life will not be the same....
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Fresh Bread July 30: Rest!

There remaineth therefore a REST to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest… (Hebrews 4:9-11, King James Version) This is a strange Scripture. The writer of Hebrews tells us to labor (The Amplified Bible says, “exert ourselves and strive diligently”) to enter God’s REST. Labor, exert, strive to rest? This doesn’t make any sense unless we look a little deeper into what God knows about us. The word “rest” is derived from two Latin words: re meaning “back” and sto meaning “stand”. Rest simply means to “stand back”. In both Exodus 14:13–14 and 2 Chronicles 20:14-17, God’s people find themselves in dire circumstances. And yet, each time the Lord tells them to “stand still” (stand back) and experience His ability to rescue them. Like a mechanic fixing a broken car or a healthcare professional working on an emergency case, God needs us to get out of His way, give Him room, stop looking over His shoulder, and “stand back” so He can work His wonders. So why is it such an effort and labor for us to enter that place of rest where we stand back and let God work? It’s because most of us are “control freaks”! We find it difficult to get out of God’s way and let Him work out His plan His Way. PRAYER: Holy Spirit, I have to control everything! And yet I am stressed out because I realize that I control nothing. Help me! Give me Your strength to stand back, get out of Your way, and let You work out Your plan. Teach me and help me to enter into God’s place of REST....
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