Fresh Bread: Perverted!
…Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath PERVERTED thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me. (Isaiah 47:10, KJV) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7, KJV) The word “pervert” has a very negative and morally filthy connotation. It may cause us to think about some old man in a rain coat doing something very inappropriate. However, the actual meaning of this word lends itself to something far more troublesome to God. The English word is derived from the Latin word “perverto”, which doesn’t simply mean to “corrupt” or “spoil”, but also: to turn the wrong way; to invert the order of; to cause to face in the opposite direction. God tells us that to fear Him is the beginning of His knowledge. Isaiah warns about how our own wisdom and knowledge can pervert us. It happens far too often that our own wisdom and knowledge: (1) Turn us in the wrong direction (when we should be looking to God – Psalms 121:1-2); (2) Invert the order of our lives (putting our natural man first instead of His Spirit); (3) Cause us to face in the opposite direction (from God). Thus, in God’s eyes, we are perverted when we are so focused on ourselves, our abilities, and even our inabilities that we fail to turn to Him, and His wisdom and knowledge. This is the perversion that limits God from doing the things in our lives that only He can. PRAYER: Holy Spirit, help me to stop turning in the wrong direction (away from God) whenever I encounter both positive and negative situations. I cannot trust my own wisdom when things are great, nor discredit Your ability to give me Your wisdom when things aren’t good. Please help me to keep my focus on God! This I ask in Jesus’ Name,...
read moreFresh Bread September 5: Urgency!
When everything was ready, the LORD said to Noah, “Go into the boat with all your family…” Then the LORD closed the door behind them. God wiped out every living thing on the earth…All were destroyed. The only people who survived were Noah and those with him in the boat. (Genesis 7:1,16, 23; NLT) By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn’t see, and acted on what he was told. The result? His family was saved. (Hebrews 11:7; The Message Bible) During my vacation, I wanted to do something that would make no demands on my mind. So, I decided to watch a comedy (DVD) called “Evan Almighty”, staring Steve Carell as Noah. The movie was Biblically inaccurate in that upon seeing the approaching flood waters, many people were able to save themselves by getting onboard the ark. Yet, the Scriptures clearly state that only eight (8) people survived. For 100 years, Noah warned the people of the approaching flood but they seemed to have no sense of urgency. By the time they realized what was happening, their window (or in this case a door) of opportunity had closed. We have entered a season in which I believe God-given opportunities and opportunities of a lifetime, are going to be afforded to many people. Yet this is the problem: Will there be a sense of urgency to seize them! The word “urgent” means: important, pressing, serious, requiring immediate attention. On that day, many people lost their lives because they did not sense that their opportunity to board the ark was important enough to require immediate attention. PRAYER: Holy Spirit, in this season of New Beginnings, please provide us with YOUR sense of urgency so that we do not miss our God-given opportunities and thus lose the purpose for our existence here on earth....
read moreFresh Bread August 28: Succored by the Lord!
Then Hezekiah prayed before the LORD and said: “O LORD God of Israel…You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see; and hear… Now therefore, O LORD our God, I pray, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the LORD God, You alone.” Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, “Thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘Because you have prayed to Me…I have heard.’ (2 Kings 19:15-16, 19-20, New King James Version) This text describes a scene where King Hezekiah, whose name means “the Lord strengthens”, faces overwhelming odds. In the midst of his fear and frustration, he makes a conscious decision to pray. And his prayer is very specific: “Now…O Lord…save us!” One definition of the word “save” is the little used word “succor”. The word “succor” means: help me, sustain me, aid me, support me, protect me, shield me, take care of me, give me a lift to, or back me up. It comes from a Latin word that means “RUN to help me”. As we enter a new season (Fall/Harvest), let’s makes sure that we are: helped by God, supported by God, protected by God, taken care of by God, succored by God. PRAYER: Father God, there is no way that I can take care of myself. I agree with what your son when He says that “without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). So today, and every day, please save me. In Jesus’ name,...
read moreThe 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....
read moreFresh 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,...
read moreFresh 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....
read moreFresh 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....
read moreFresh 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....
read moreFresh Bread July 22: Simplify!
I’m asking God for one thing, only one thing: To live with Him in His House my whole life long. I’ll contemplate his beauty; I’ll study at his feet. (Psalm 27:4, The Message Bible) No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling (Philippians 3:13, NLT) Here we have two quotes made by two of the most effective men in the Bible. King David was considered the most effective king in Israel’s history and the Apostle Paul wrote almost half of the New Testament. What made these two men so successful in God’s eye? They SIMPLIFIED their lives. The word “simplify” is made up of two Latin words: simplus meaning “single”, which in the Latin language means “One”, and the suffix “fy” is derived from the Latin word “faceo”, which means “to do”. Thus, the word “simplify” means “to do the one thing.” When you and I stand before God, what is the one thing, one purpose for which we will have to give an account to Him (Matthew 25:21-23, NLT)? What is that “one thing” that you know God has created you to accomplish? PRAYER: Holy Spirit, You are the one who Jesus assigned to guide me into all truth (John 16:13). Show me the purpose for which God created me, and then daily remind me to stay focused on “doing that one thing”....
read moreFresh Bread July 15: Scandalized!
But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and immediately with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is OFFENDED. (Matthew 13:20-21, King James Version) Nobody wants to be the subject of a scandal whether he/she is the one perpetrating the scandal or the one who is being scandalized. The word scandal speaks of: public disgrace, misconduct, exposed wrong doing, embarrassment, dishonor, shame, discredit, stain, stigma. This is what Satan (whose name means our “opponent”) tries to do whenever God speaks to us. Jesus told his disciples (learners) that people will receive his teachings with joy but they must understand that trouble and persecution will come [from Satan] because of that Word. And the sad thing is people will be “offended” because that Word from God will be the cause of so much trouble. The word “offended” is the Greek word “scandalidzo” which literally means: trapped with a springing device. It’s basically a mouse trap. Satan’s goal once we receive God’s word is to test us to the point that we go for “his bait” (cheese). He then springs the trap which results in our being disgraced, dishonored, and discredited. Esau was supposed to be the one whose name was turned into “Israel” not Jacob. But Esau was scandalized; trapped with Satan’s bait of Campbell’s Soup. (Hebrews 12:16, NLV) PRAYER: Holy Spirit, I enjoy when You speak God’s Word to me through a preacher, teacher, circumstance, or simply a friend’s wise counsel. Give me Your strength when that word is put to the test in my life. Help me not to be the subject of any scandal that would discredit (make me not believe) God’s Word to my...
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