Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

Who Are You? - DAY #19: Firm Foundation October 21-Day Devotional | Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute #90

Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.The most healthy thing you can do for your spirit, soul, and body is to know who you are. This is called "Imago Dei," which is Latin for "Image of God."You were made in God's image and likeness. This means you don't look like the product of evolution, you don't look like your mistakes. You look like a divine, intentional, and purpose filled creation of Almighty God. The only created things or beings made in His image are people.Being made in God's IMAGE speaks to His essence as persons who have the ability to commune with God and be aware of His presence. LIKENESS speaks how we "look like" God through our ability to do the things He wants us to do.The next time you feel bad about yourself, or someone attempts to disrespect you or make you feel bad, remind yourself that you are a child of the Creator, made in His image, likeness, and full of power to take necessary action.We are often aware that we are living below the fullness of that image and likeness. We see tragic examples of people in this world bringing misery to others. This is where Jesus makes the difference. Through His life and sacrifice, He granted to humans through the "New Birth" new capabilities that were lost though sin and defeat.Embrace your true image and likeness!
 
REFLECTION QUESTION: Who are you?
ACTION ITEMS BASED ON TODAY'S LESSON:

Called, Justified, Glorified: You Were Called to Shine As Lights

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Romans 8:29, For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. 
Philippians 2:15, That you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.
Not shining is not an option for us.
Romans 8:29, For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
You are predestined to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ

God is Faithful! - Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute #89 for September 27, 2023

Watch or Listen to the Message by Patricia A. Hudson
"My Journey, My Race"
 
Psalms 136:1-9 1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!His faithful love endures forever.2 Give thanks to the God of gods.His faithful love endures forever.3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords.His faithful love endures forever.4 Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles.His faithful love endures forever.5 Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully.His faithful love endures forever.6 Give thanks to him who placed the earth among the waters.His faithful love endures forever.7 Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights—His faithful love endures forever.8 the sun to rule the day,His faithful love endures forever.9 and the moon and stars to rule the night.His faithful love endures forever.

My Journey, My Race - by Patricia A. Hudson

My Journey, My Race - by Patricia A. Hudson
Message delivered at New Covenant Church, Sunday September 24, 2023

I Am By Grace - Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute #88 for September 20, 2023

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Servant - Leaders: Serving God's Purpose
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Servant - Leaders: Serving God’s Purpose

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Acts 20:18, And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; 20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ
Acts 20:27, For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
ESSENTIALS OF A WINNING TEAM
A winning leader
A “give-it-all-it-takes” attitude
The ability to recover from failure
Respect for the value of each person as well as for others’ skills and gifts
Intensity and excellence
Adherence to core bible principles and Christian character

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