Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

The Best Definition of Love – Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute #87 for September 13, 2023

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The God Kind of Love
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The God Kind of Love

1 John 4:16
And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

Mountain Moving Faith – Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute #86 for September 6, 2023

Welcome to the 86th edition of Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute!
We began these weekly talks on January 26, 2022. I trust you are being blessed! 
We read in Matthew 17:19:Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”  20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
Unbelief is a major obstacle to doing the works of Jesus.
Jesus did what the disciples were unable to do. He successfully ministered to the man’s son. When the disciples asked Him, “Why couldn’t we cast it out?” Jesus plainly stated, “Because of your unbelief.”
How could the disciples operate in unbelief if they obviously “believed in” ministering to oppressed people? Clearly, they tried to help the man’s son, but were not successful.
For Christ followers, unbelief is not rejecting the truth. It is not failing to believe the Bible, or not believing in God. It is not even a lack of conviction about what God can do.
Example: Consider an athlete who high jumps who has leaped over seven feet on many occasions. He “believes” that he can jump over seven feet because he has done it many times. What if the athlete stops practicing? What if he loses his discipline and joy of training?  If then he attempts to high jump seven feet, but repeatedly fails to make the height, we have an example of unbelief.
Unbelief is an inability to do what needs to be done because fallen out of practice in the things of God.  It is a lack of faith with corresponding action. As the Bible says, “Faith without works (or corresponding action) is dead, being alone.” (James 2:20)
What is the solution to the problem of “unbelief” of believers or inability to do he works of God? Jesus answer was plainly stated, “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
“This kind” is not referring to a special kind of demon, but to “this kind” of faith and relationship with God that is developed through prayer and fasting.
Praying and fasting does not “move God” towards us, it moves us towards God. Nothing in God needs to move or change. Everything in us needs to move or change.
There is no magic about prayer and fasting. It is effective because prayer and fasting helps us clear obstacles to our faith and faith-filled actions. Fasting is more than not eating, it is a season of denying conveniences, choices, appetites, and desires for other things, in order to place full emphasis on God.
Whatever helps us focus on God, helps us walk in faith, understand the Bible better, be more sensitive to the Spirit and much more. This is like the high jumper who stays in shape and continues to practice—never taking past achievements for granted.
Obviously, fasting is not eating, but it is also an overall focus on drawing closer to God by removing personal and environmental obstacles. If a person fasted food, but spent the whole day watching movies or playing video games, this would be a worthless fast from a spiritual perspective.
Develop your faith and eliminate your unbelief by strengthening your relationship with God through prayer and fasting.
 

What Love Is – Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute for August 30, 2023

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Love Wins! How God’s Love Helps You Win In Life
 
 

Love Wins! How God’s Love Helps You Win In Life

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Galatians 5:13, For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
We do not speak of winning as in competition with others. 
We're talking about winning from the perspective of fulfilling your purpose and getting the most out of God's grace in your life. Apostle Paul said "I do not frustrate the grace of God.” (Galatians 2:21)
There are seasons where one discovers whether liberty is understood as having responsibility or only "an opportunity for the flesh,” self-indulgence. 
By God's love through Christ, we TRIUMPH!
We triumph because we’ve already WON!
Love Causes You and Others to Win
1 John 2:8, Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. 9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
NIV, 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister[b] lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.
Three Levels of Love that Wins
1. God Wins: He has a plan to save humanity after the fall of Adam. John 3:16
2. Others win | The “Royal Law” James 2:8, Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
3. You win | The first person that needs to experience the winning power of love, is ourselves.
More Than Winners Through ACTS of Love
Romans 8:31, What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
 

Controlled by Love – Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute for August 23, 2023

1 Cor 5:13 (NLT) If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. 14 Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life.
Why do we do the things we do? Is it because of fear, for money, for the praise of others, or other factors? Love is the best motivator. Paul wrote, “Christ’s love controls us.”
We can only be fully controlled by love after the death of everything else. This is why Jesus died for all of us, so that all of our ungodly deeds and motivations could also be put to death.
1 Cor. 5:15 states, “He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.”
God gives us the power to be controlled by His love, which is evidenced by not being selfishly motivated, living for Christ, and serving God's purpose.
Being controlled by love has benefits:• Purifies our motivations• Sanctifies our actions• Ratifies our decisions• Clarifies our purpose
If I seem crazy sometimes, it's just that I’m radically committed to Loving God, Loving People and Serving the World!

Press On - Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute for August 16, 2023

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Eyes on the Prize: Maintaining Focus in Distracting Times

Eyes on the Prize: Maintaining Focus in Distracting Times

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Philippians 3:12, Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Why We Need This
Your purpose and potential unfolds when you're able to avoid distractions and maintain focus on God, people, and important things.
It is also essential to train your mind, and develop a mindset to victoriously deal with circumstances.
Life and the world is not going to stop for us to catch up.
Distraction is a Dis-ease
A disorder of structure produces specific signs or symptoms that affect normal function
A particular quality, habit, or disposition regarded as adversely affecting a person or group of people.
The Positive Power of Affirmation
2 Corinthians 4:13, And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak
The Positive Power of Affirmation
An affirmation is a positive assertion
It is a short statement that can help brighten your outlook
It is a sign of self-respect and self-awareness
AFFIRMATION #1: I press on. I lay on hold on that for which Jesus laid hold on me.
 
Why do I press on?
Why did Jesus draft (apprehend) me?
 
AFFIRMATION #2: I do not allow the past to adversity affect my future. I reach for the things that are ahead.
What adverse things in my past do I need to leave behind?
What things do I reach for?
AFFIRMATION #3: My eyes are on the prize. The prize is the purpose and call of God on my life in Christ.
What is God’s purpose and call on my life?
What is my prize? (List if more than one)

Two Liberating Words: Thank You! – Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute for August 9, 2023

Hebrews 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, [d]giving thanks to His name. 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Two of the most liberating words in our language are: “Thank You!”
Just as John taught that love is shown in deeds more than words, even so “Thank You” is always connected to what we offer or give.
This is why we celebrate birthdays with cards and gifts, because we wish to say “Thank you” for someone’s life. That’s why we celebrate Christmas with gift giving and honoring our Savior. It’s all about saying “Thank You” to the Lord for the gift of life and new life in Christ. 
THANK YOU helps keep our lives clear of anxiety, sin, darkness, deception. 
Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather [do do something better] giving of thanks. 
Philippians 4:6, Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
THANK YOU opens doors, releases gifts, empowers worship, and influences better decisions, and opens your heart to others. 
Eph. 5:15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. [Giving Thanks] 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.
THANK YOU puts us in a position to allow God to transform every weakness into a strength
2 Cor. 12:9, And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
THANK YOU draws us closer to God and to others. 
Psalm 35:18, I will give You thanks in the great assembly; I will praise You among many people. 
In Psalm 107 "Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy." (NIV)

The Safest Place - Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute for August 2, 2023

Psalm 57:1, Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!For my soul trusts in You;And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge,Until these calamities have passed by.2 I will cry out to God Most High,To God who performs all things for me.