Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

Nothing too Hard for God, So Lay Your Burdens Down - Firm Foundation inspiration Minute for August 28, 2024

Jeremiah 32:26, Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: 27 “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?
In this life, we have all come to learn that there are many hard things that we must endure. Someone observed that the older you get the greater the challenges, and I have found this to be true. 
This does not only apply to personal challenges, but the challenge of serving and caring for others, including our parents as well as other family members as they age. Along with the greater responsibilities and the greater challenges come greater Grace.
As the Lord said to Jeremiah, "Is there anything too hard for me?" That is a very strong reminder, because we tend to carry burdens that we were not designed to carry alone. Sometimes the thing we need to do is to lay our burdens down, and commit to allow Christ to do what we are unable to do. 
Be sure to check the podcast from October 23, "God Is For You!" Part 4, concluding the series.
God bless, have a great day, and be encouraged.

God is For You! Part 4 - IN SUMMARY: Nothing Too Hard for the Lord

DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE SLIDES
Jeremiah 32:26, Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: 27 “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?
Micah 6:8  (NLT), O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Romans 8:37, Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Watch 60 Minutes Deion Sanders Interview
https://youtu.be/Jz1YfvAw5Ow

God is For You...Like a Flood!

Glad to be back after a few weeks off preparing to celebrate our milestone 40th Pastoral and Church anniversary at New Covenant Church, serving God's people, as well as enjoying some vacation time in Europe with my wife Patricia. I know that many of my followers enjoy my photography, so on the blog I've posted some photos and video clips that you might enjoy.
With all the pressures and challenges of life, it is essential and comforting to know God is for us. This is especially true when we are paying attention to Him. He loves us regardless of our state, but our goal is to be pleasing to the Lord. He draws near to us when we draw near to him.
I would like to share an insight from last Sunday's message in which we talked about solutions, answers, and hope. I used the phrase "There is an app for that." This became a parable for experiences during our vacation in which almost everything we did was helped by using an app on my iPhone. Life also has apps or applications of the heart and mind. We discussed this in the lesson on Sunday. Check out the podcast or view on our YouTube channel.
How we think, or our type of mindset, is a very important factor to the quality of  our lives. It's important to have something that I will call "a solution mindset." Let me share a Scripture with you and explain what I mean.
Isaiah 59:19 reads, "So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him."
It is an encouraging thought that when the enemy comes in like a flood the Spirit of God raises up a standard. But I think there's a better way to look at this Scripture, especially in light of the fact that original Bible languages did not include punctuation.  In our first reading the enemy is characterized as a flood coming in.
Let me offer this alternative reading of Isaiah 59:19:
When the enemy comes in, like a flood the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. 
I'm not saying this reading is correct and the other one is wrong, this is an example of developing a solution mindset where we don't place as much emphasis on the trouble as on the answer. I like to think that it is the Spirit of God who brings the flood of blessing more than the enemy bringing a flood of trouble.
I like this quote from a book entitled The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday
“Just because other people say that something is hopeless or crazy or broken to pieces doesn’t mean it is. We decide what story to tell ourselves.” 
The more you realize that God is for you, the more you will see that His solutions answers and hope are bigger than the problems we face.
Have a great day, God bless, and be encouraged!
 

God is For You! Part 3: Solutions, Answers, Hope. (”There Is An App For That!”)

DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE SLIDES
Romans 8:31, What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
Develop a Solution Mindset
Isaiah 59:19, So shall they fear. The name of the Lord from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.
Consider this Scripture another way:
Isaiah 59:19, When the enemy comes in, like a flood the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.
Quotes From 
The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday
“Just because other people say that something is hopeless or crazy or broken to pieces doesn’t mean it is. We decide what story to tell ourselves.” 
“You can take the trouble you’re dealing with and use it as an opportunity to focus on the present moment.”
Jesus often spoke in parables. I am going to use parables today.
Parables were a way to convey principles in an allegoric story that people could understand and relate to. 
A parable is a teaching method using the familiar to illustrate unfamiliar concepts.
The term app is short for application. 
It is defined as: 
A computer program that is designed for a particular purpose
A program that you can download onto a mobile phone and use anytime

God is For You! – Part 2: The Power of Your Testimony

DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE SLIDES
Romans 8:31: What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 
What is a Testimony?
μαρτύριον - marturion: It is a witness as borne; a declaration of facts
Webster’s Dictionary: A solemn declaration usually made orally by a witness 
A testimony is the statement of your faith. What you believe.
A testimony is an explanation of what God has done in your life.
A testimony represents your chosen lifestyle. Your reputation.
A testimony encompasses your purpose and future actions.
Speaking is a kingdom principle. Of course, we think it,  but there is something divine in saying it. Speaking is consistent with the nature of God.
Genesis 1:1, In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.
Matthew 12:36, But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
Psalm 19:14, Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.
1 Samuel 17:34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, 35 I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” 37 Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

ROMANS ROAD 21-Day Devotional | Day 21 - ”Cancelling Complacency”

Romans 13:11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.  
One of the great dangers for Christians is complacency. Complacency is defined as: “A feeling of contentment or self-satisfaction, especially when coupled with an unawareness of a need” Paul offers a powerful parallel using the word “sleep.” When we sleep we are unaware of our surroundings, oblivious to others, and unable to respond. 
Christ Followers do not want to be “asleep in the light,” but alert and ready to serve God. While believers do not have darkness inside of them, we do not want to operate in darkness by failing to work with Christ or letting God have His way. Sometimes the works of darkness we need to cast off are things like simple distractions to living in God’s light. Simple things like watching too much television, engaging in too much leisure, or even constantly interacting on Facebook and social media can put us to sleep spiritually. None of these activities is wrong, but anything can become darkness when we fail to see the light of what God wants us to do.
The “armor of light” is a beautiful phrase putting us in the mind of being clothed with the power and grace of God. We are all wearing armor that both protects us and empowers us.
Reflection Question: What are 1-3 ways that you need to “wake up?”
Key insight I gained today:
Today’s action item based on insight:

ROMANS ROAD 21-Day Devotional | Day 20 - ”Basic Instructions”

Romans 12:9, Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
When the Spirit of Christ abides in you, God’s grace shapes your lifestyle. When the Bible provides direct instructions on how to live, understand that everything God requires, He has already provided. We are recognized by our faith and lifestyle. As Jesus said, “A tree is known by its fruit” (Luke 6:44). We are the “planting of the Lord.” (Isaiah 61:3)
God does not ask you to do anything that is not already part of your character in Christ. If this were not true, you would not be able to do what He asks. For example, in our own strength, it is not possible to be “kindly affectionate with brotherly love.” This is a virtue, like all the others, that comes from the grace of God within us.
You can always do what God said you can do! 
 
Reflection Question: How is God helping you to help others?
Key insight I gained today:
Today’s action item based on insight:

ROMANS ROAD 21-Day Devotional | Day 19 - ” All Things Work Together for Good”

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 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. 
Romans 8:28 is one of the most abused the scriptures in the Bible. Too often it is used as a catchall or a cliche, something for which God’s word was never intended. God is certainly merciful towards us, but if I write a bad check and pass it on nothing good will come of it! As a matter fact, it could result in a criminal prosecution. This is not was Romans 8:28 is talking about.
This text was not intended to cover our mistakes. This text, and all of God’s word, is given to encourage and teach us. The main focus of the text is not only “all things work together for good” but  “those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” and “be conformed to the image of His Son.” 
God’s purpose is the foundation of your purpose. God is deeply concerned about the circumstances of your life, but He frames your life in the larger context of His purpose. First we are predestined, which means that before you were born of God had a plan for you. Second, we are called, which means He gives us the opportunity to follow him through Christ. Third, we are justified which means He makes us righteous through the redemptive gift of the Lord Jesus Christ. Fourth, you are glorified meaning that you enter into the purposes for which you were born.
Reflection Question: What are the two qualifications having all things work together for good?
Key insight I gained today:
Today’s action item based on insight:

ROMANS ROAD 21-Day Devotional | Day 18 — “ Know that God Knows All”

Romans 11:34, “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor?” 35 “Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?” 36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. 
I am amazed and amused at how people seem to think they can always speak for God or seem to convey that they understand Him more than others. It is certainly true that we can learn of the Lord and share His word with others, but no one person knows everything. No one helps God! 
The entirety of Romans 11 addresses many profound topics such as God’s dealings with His chosen people Israel and the mystery of how He has “grafted in” Gentiles (non-Jews). The chapter is dense with theological truth and doctrine. At the end of the chapter, Paul concludes by writing the following: “For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” (v. 36)
In our lives, is appropriate to think, ponder, and seek to understand God’s words and God’s ways. But there comes a time when you reach an end of your thinking and understanding. At that time, the best thing we can do is trust God and worship Him as the one who knows all things!
Reflection Question: What should you do when you come to the end of your understanding?
Key insight I gained today:
Today’s action item based on insight:

ROMANS ROAD 21-Day Devotional | Day 17 — “How to Think About Yourself”

Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function.  
 
We are never in a position where we need to be conceited, brag, or try to “show off” to impress others. You are already exactly the person that God had in mind!
 
In a world where people are confused about their identity and sometimes seek to assume the identity of others such as celebrities, we have the opportunity to discover our unique “measure of faith.” Your measure of faith are the abilities, assignments, and opportunities God has made available to you. God has given everything you need to serve Him.
 
One of the great blessings of serving God is summed up in the phrase, “where God guides He provides.” It is truly amazing how God can provide faith and provision for everything He wants you to do. It is also amazing that our individual gifting results in stronger coordination and collaboration as the body of Christ. We are a team and a family, each having individual responsibility resulting in the fulfillment of greater collective purpose.
 
Reflection Question: What is your measure of faith?
 
Key insight I gained today:
 
Today’s action item based on insight: