Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

"Solitary and 'Solid" - Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute #155 for January 29, 2025

Psalms 68:4-6
Sing to God, sing praises to His name;Extol Him who rides on the clouds,By His name Yah,And rejoice before Him.5 A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows,Is God in His holy habitation.6 God sets the solitary in families;He brings out those who are bound into prosperity;But the rebellious dwell in a dry land.
This edition of Firm Foundation Inspiration Minutes focuses on the "solitary. Psalm 68:6, highlights how God places the lonely into families. The message emphasizes God's concern for the hurting, lost, and lonely, reassuring that even when individuals feel isolated, God provides support through church, friends, or community. It stresses the importance of being connected to the right people rather than just being surrounded by a lot of people. Additionally, it warns against resisting God, as rejecting Him leads to spiritual dryness. The message ties into New Covenant Church’s 2025 vision of "Every One, Reach One.' The takeaway: believers are never truly alone—God has already placed them in a family.

"The Gospel is the Power of God" - Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute #154 for January 22, 2025

Listen to the Message by Patricia Hudson From Sunday, January 19, 2024
The Gospel: God's Power for Salvation
 
Podcast Summary:The Gospel of Christ is the power of God for salvation to all who believe, as outlined in Romans 1:16-17. Salvation is simple and centers on Christ's righteousness, which no human can achieve on their own. Jesus, the sinless Savior, condemned sin and rose from the dead, offering salvation to everyone—Jews and Gentiles alike. The message highlights the importance of keeping salvation uncomplicated and emphasizes God’s revelation to Peter and Cornelius about the universal scope of the Gospel. The speaker recommends listening to Patricia Hudson’s message for deeper insight into this truth.

The Gospel: God's Power for Salvation - by Patricia Hudson

Summary of "The Gospel: God's Power for Salvation" by Patricia Hudson (by OpenAI)
Patricia Hudson’s message emphasizes the transformative power of the Gospel and the responsibility of Christ-followers to share it. Drawing from Acts 10 and Matthew 28:18-20, she explores Peter's divine appointment to preach to Cornelius, a Gentile, marking a pivotal moment in the spread of the Gospel beyond the Jewish community.
Key themes include:
The Vision for 2025: "Each One, Reach One" as a call for every believer to share the Gospel.
Peter and Cornelius: Peter’s vision in Joppa and Cornelius’s divine instructions highlight God’s intent to extend salvation to all nations.
The Gospel’s Universality: Peter's realization that God shows no partiality and that salvation is available to all who believe.
The Holy Spirit’s Role: The Spirit’s guidance and power are essential for witnessing and sharing the Gospel.
Call to Action: Hudson encourages believers to study, internalize, and share the Gospel confidently, reflecting on its power to change lives.
Hudson concludes with a challenge to believers: prepare to share the Gospel by delving into Scripture and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide their efforts in spreading the message of salvation.

"Renewed Mind = Renewed Life" ~Pastor Bryan Hudson Bible Study at Wheeler Mission

Summary of Dr. Bryan Hudson's Bible Study at Wheeler Mission:
"Renewed Mind = Renewed Life"
Pastor Bryan Hudson shared an encouraging message about transformation through the renewing of the mind, using Ephesians 6:10-13 and Romans 12:1-2 as core scriptures. Key points included:
The Importance of a Renewed Mind:
A renewed mind leads to a transformed life.
Salvation begins with the heart, but transformation requires renewing the mind.
Key Scriptures and Analogies:
Ephesians 6: Encourages believers to be strong in the Lord and put on the full armor of God to stand firm against challenges.
Romans 12: Stresses not conforming to worldly patterns but being transformed through a renewed mind.
Analogies of molds and chameleons illustrated how people can be shaped by their environment, but believers are called to reflect God's will.
Transformation Process:
Implantation: Planting God's Word in our hearts and acting on it.
Formation: Developing Christ-like character through discipleship and consistent growth.
Sanctification: Being set apart for God's purposes, leading to a demonstration of a changed life.
Practical Steps and Warnings:
Avoid negative influences and environments that hinder growth.
Present your body and mind as living sacrifices to God.
Embrace God's grace to overcome sin and live a sanctified life.
Personal Testimonies and Application:
Dr. Hudson shared his own struggles and growth after salvation, emphasizing that transformation is a lifelong process.
He encouraged attendees to stay in community and take advantage of discipleship programs for continued growth.
Invitation to Salvation:
Dr. Hudson led attendees in a prayer of repentance and commitment to Jesus Christ, inviting them to begin the journey of a renewed mind and life.
The study concluded with an invitation to engage in discipleship and continue growing spiritually, emphasizing that renewal is an ongoing process that brings about lasting change.

"Jesus Stood Still" - Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute #153 for January 15, 2025

Listen to My Message From Sunday, January 12, 2024
New Covenant Church Vision for 2025 - "Each One, Reach One."
 
Mark 10:46 Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”48 Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”Mark 10:49 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”50 And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. 51 So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?”The blind man said to Him, “ Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.”
This is a beautiful story about the compassion of Jesus and the boldness of a blind man in that time in region. It was culturally inappropriate for a disabled person to be seen and heard in the fashion in which Bartimaeus cried out, they were thought to be cursed by God. It was presumed that they would accept their lot in life to accept their insignificance because of disability. Poor people, disabled people, lesser people should not speak up, even less demanding the attention of an important person.
 In the midst of the crowds who followed Jesus many were desperate, some sincere, some just curious. He was thronged with people and many were calling out. When blind Bartimaeus called out, there was something different in his voice, not only desperation, but faith and trust.
And I love this part of the text where it said, "Jesus stood still."
He stopped walking to pay attention to this solitary voice. In doing this, Jesus broke a cultural norm that required him to not regard people like Bartimaeus. He dignified a man who had been disrespected his whole life. The story goes on as we read, "Jesus called for him, asked what he wanted." Bartimaeus said," I want to see," to which Jesus said, "Your faith has made you well."  Among all the people crying out to Jesus, Bartimaeus was a voice of faith.
This story highlights a vision statement we've made at New Covenant Church this year. That statement is simply is "Each One, Reach One." It's a very simple statement, somewhat cliche, but the profound truth behind it is this:
We need to see people, stand still, pay attention, and let God work through us and on behalf of people who are willing to be helped.
As we enter a season in our country where we're likely going to see a continued disrespect toward the poor, the less powerful, a likely a continued diminishing of Black history and neglect of the true values that defined who Christ followers should be.
We may even face the effects of what has been called "The Tyranny of the Majority." However, be sure of this: When you call on Jesus, He will stand still for you! Let's stand still for the least among us. They're going to need us in this season.
God bless. Have a great day and be encouraged.

New Covenant Church | Vision for 2025

DOWNLOAD SLIDES
Summary of New Covenant Church Vision 2025 by Pastor Bryan Hudson
The 2025 vision, rooted in the church's constitution and the will of God, emphasizes collective purpose and unity under God's guidance. The theme, "Each One Reach One," calls every individual to focus on personal responsibility in reaching and impacting one person at a time, mirroring Jesus' approach of compassion and attention to the individual.
Key Points:
Foundational Scripture:
Psalm 65:11 ("You crown the year with your goodness, and your paths drip with abundance").
Luke 15:7 ("More joy in heaven over one sinner who changes heart and life than over 99 righteous people").
Galatians 5:13 ("Through love, serve one another").
Vision Principles:
God's vision is greater than personal ambitions, and individual purpose is discovered within God's purpose.
Prioritize adapting personal priorities to align with God's kingdom priorities.
True joy in heaven stems from repentance and transformation, not material achievements.
Theme: "Each One Reach One":
Emphasizes individual impact rather than crowd-focused goals.
Encourages empathy, seeing and valuing individuals beyond their external circumstances.
Challenges members to engage meaningfully, reflecting Jesus' compassion for individuals within multitudes.
Jesus' Examples of Reaching the One:
The lost sheep (Luke 15).
The woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5).
Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10).
Cultural Shift:
Recognize the kingdom's values over societal norms, moving from self-centered perspectives to collective and kingdom-oriented thinking.
Replace idealism (unrealistic expectations) with actionable ideals grounded in love and service.
Call to Action:
Visit the vision webpage and engage in reflection and participation.
Focus on actionable steps that align with the vision of loving God, loving people, and serving the world.
The message concludes with a prayer of gratitude and encouragement for the congregation to embody the vision of reaching one person at a time with God's love and purpose.

"Run With the Vision" - Firm Foundation inspiration Minute #152 for January 8, 2025

Lean more about the context of this Scripture in Habakkuk's time: https://bibleproject.com/guides/book-of-habakkuk/
Habakkuk  2:1, I will stand my watch And set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me, And what I will answer when I am corrected. 2 Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. “Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith."
Summary of "Run With the Vision" by Dr. Bryan Hudson (by OpenAI)
Dr. Bryan Hudson reflects on Habakkuk 2:1–4, emphasizing the importance of faith, vision, and trust in God's promises during challenging times. The passage highlights the prophet Habakkuk's dialogue with God about the injustice and evil in his world, including the rise of Babylon as an instrument of judgment. Despite the challenges, God assures Habakkuk that the vision of justice will come to pass, even if it seems delayed.
Key lessons include:
Living by Faith: Regardless of external circumstances, the righteous are called to live by faith in God, trusting His timing and promises.
Writing and Sharing the Vision: God instructs Habakkuk to write the vision plainly so it can inspire action and hope. This reminds believers to articulate and share God's guidance in a way that motivates others to act.
God’s Justice: While Babylon’s rise served as judgment, God holds all nations accountable, and evil will ultimately be punished. Believers are to focus on God’s justice and purpose rather than on the wickedness of the world.
Hudson draws parallels between Habakkuk’s time and today, urging Christians to focus on serving God's purpose and shining as lights in a dark world, as stated in Philippians 2:15. He emphasizes that God's promises remain valid and relevant, encouraging believers to live with hope and share God's vision in their communities.
The message concludes with an invitation to join New Covenant Church to hear and engage with the vision for 2025, centered on God's ongoing work and unchanging promises.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! "A Resolution for 2025" - Firm Foundation inspiration Minute #151 for January 1, 2025

Philippians 4:8-9 CEB
From now on, brothers and sisters, if anything is excellent and if anything is admirable, focus your thoughts on these things: all that is true, all that is holy, all that is just, all that is pure, all that is lovely, and all that is worthy of praise. 9 Practice these things: whatever you learned, received, heard, or saw in us. The God of peace will be with you.
 
SUMMARY
 
Dr. Bryan Hudson's talk for January 1, "A Resolution for 2025," encourages people to set resolutions that align with God's will, rather than relying on their own strength. He highlights a study showing that most New Year's resolutions fail by the second week of January, mainly because they are made in human strength. Hudson stresses the importance of resolutions rooted in God's power, which brings grace, motivation, and strength. He focuses on Philippians 4:8-9, urging individuals to focus on things that are excellent, admirable, true, holy, just, pure, lovely, and worthy of praise.
Hudson suggests that making decisions based on these virtues will lead to better outcomes. He encourages practicing solitude and prayer for personal growth and reflection. The sermon also emphasizes the importance of exemplars—role models who demonstrate the qualities to aim for. Hudson shares practical advice like "habit stacking," which involves building small, consistent habits to create lasting change.
Ultimately, Hudson calls for a resolution to rely on God's wisdom and strength, rather than one's own, and to focus on what is excellent and admirable. He encourages everyone to lean into God's guidance for personal and spiritual growth in the coming year.

Merry Christmas! Jesus: Born to You - Firm Foundation inspiration Minute #150 for December 25, 2024

Luke 2:10-11, Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
WATCH: 2024 Community Christmas Outreach Highlights
Christmas Message by Pastor Bryan Hudson:
“The Joy of New Life in Christ.”
Summary:
Dr. Bryan Hudson’s "Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute" reflects on the birth of Jesus, emphasizing the message of hope and joy found in Luke 2:10-11. He highlights the angel's proclamation of "good tidings of great joy" and reminds listeners that Jesus was born for each person, regardless of their circumstances—whether surrounded by family, alone, or experiencing loss. He encourages focusing on God’s presence during the Christmas season.
Dr. Hudson also shares updates on his church’s community outreach, including deliveries of food and gifts to families in their homes, donations and ministry to various groups such as homeless teens, incarcerated individuals, and those in need. He concludes by celebrating Jesus as the reason for the season, urging listeners to let Christ fulfill His purpose in their lives.
Merry Christmas and encouragement are central to his message.

The Joy of New Life in Christ | Christmas Message

DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE SLIDES
Luke 2:8Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a [d]manger.”13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14  “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
SUMMARY
The message, The Joy of Christ in Christmas by Pastor Bryan Hudson, emphasizes the profound joy brought by the birth of Jesus Christ. Drawing from Luke 2:10 and other scriptures, Pastor Hudson highlights the contrast between busy Bethlehem and the serene shepherds’ field, where the angelic announcement of "good tidings of great joy" was made.
Jesus’ humble birth in a manger symbolizes His identification with everyday people and His purpose as a Savior for all. The wise men’s gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—prophetically speak to Jesus’ royalty, deity, and sacrificial death.
The message celebrates Christ as the ultimate gift, offering new life and joy that transcends life’s challenges. By embracing this gift, believers can rise above circumstances, share His joy through giving, and live a life of praise and gratitude. Ultimately, the sermon calls believers to reflect the spirit of Christ’s love and joy in their daily lives.