Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson
2009-11
Episodes
Sunday Nov 29, 2009
Benefits of Hearing After Listening
Sunday Nov 29, 2009
Sunday Nov 29, 2009
Mark 4:23 "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." 24] And He said to them, "Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. 25] For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him."
Listening and hearing are not always the same thing. While listening is a function of our auditory organs to detect sound waves that register in our brain, hearing is a function of our will to understanding what is being said. The fact is: Many people do not hear in many areas of life spiritually, vocationally and relationally. Listening is a natural, physical ability, but hearing must be cultivated through training one’s heart and mind to grasp what is being said.
Many scriptures declare the important of hearing. Faith itself comes by hearing; “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” (Rom. 10:17) Hearing is much more important than most people imagine. Hearing is obviously a necessary component in communication. Where our walk with God is concerned, hearing is all important:
How you hear will determine the quality of your life
How you hear will determine your level of authority and responsibility in life
How you hear will determine the measure of God’s anointing on your life.
Jesus said that one must have “ears to hear.” This indicates one’s willingness to hear instruction and direction. Jesus invites everyone, in one way or another, to hear and know Him, but He lets our response determine the degree of understanding and fruitfulness we experience.
"And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48] He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day .(John 12:47)
A lack of hearing, or hearing the wrong things, will cripple your ability to walk in the full blessing and opportunities of life. However, hearing and doing God's Word brings many benefits:
Hearing determines aptitude (ability) “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Hearing determines attitude (state of mind), "Take heed what [or how] you hear...”
Hearing determines altitude (height) "With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given."
Sunday Nov 22, 2009
Great Grace
Sunday Nov 22, 2009
Sunday Nov 22, 2009
Great Grace is evidence of empowerment from God. Empowerment comes from relationship with God. Relationship with with God is cultivated by spending time with Him privately and corporately.
The display of power and grace seen in the early church came as a direct result of their corporate time of waiting on God in the upper room. The display of power was in direct proportion to their relationship with God.
Monday Nov 16, 2009
Grace for Grace
Monday Nov 16, 2009
Monday Nov 16, 2009
Grace for Your Space |
Grace for Grace |
John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’” 16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.
Monday Nov 09, 2009
Renew Your Mind
Monday Nov 09, 2009
Monday Nov 09, 2009
Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think” (Romans 12:1-2, NLT).
Sunday Nov 01, 2009
Grace for Your Space
Sunday Nov 01, 2009
Sunday Nov 01, 2009
The grace of God is everything He has. Your space is everything you need. You have needs, and God has the supplies. God has given you grace for your space, and not just a little, but a lot! We need to better understand the grace of God and tap into it in a greater measure.
In this text, what is the grace that Paul is talking about? It is the grace of giving and receiving! We all want to abound in faith, in speech or teaching/preaching, in knowledge, in diligence and in love. That’s all well and good. But the Bible says, “See that you abound in THIS GRACE (grace of giving) also.”
2 Corinthians 8 shows us seven blessings of the grace of God in the space of the believers at Macedonia. Realize that God can do the same for you.
1. Because of the grace of God, They had an abundance of joy. (v. 2)
2. Because of the grace of God they became more liberal and generous even while experiencing their own season of lack. (v. 2)
3. Because of the grace of God, their willingness exceeded their ability, God enabled them to take action regardless of their circumstances. (v. 3)
4. Because of the grace of God, they literally begged Paul to come and receive their gifts in support of relieving the suffering of other believers. (v. 4)
5. Because of the grace of God, they exceeded Paul’s expectations. They first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to Paul as God’s servant. (v. 5)
6. Because of the grace of God, their example inspired a larger and wealthier congregation to step up. (v. 6)
7. Because of the grace of God, the Macedonians redefined the practical meaning of grace as it related to giving and receiving. (v. 7)
Ask God now to fill every space in your life with His grace!