Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

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:
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
 
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ROMANS ROAD 21-Day Devotional | Day 16 — “How Faith Comes”

Romans 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?”17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 
Continuing from the previous lesson, we learn from this text that faith can only come from the Word of God. Just as people can only earn college degrees from learning the content during college classes, God’s “content” is learned from the Bible and through people who preach/teach the word. 
People who don’t hear or take the opportunity to obey the Gospel cannot be saved, though God continues to extend His mercy. This is why the apostle Paul extensively traveled his world preaching and planting churches. That is why we continue to send missionaries around the world to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ
. When people hear God’s word they can have faith to believe Him for salvation and for everything else God wants to do.Reflection Question: What and who are your sources for hearing God’s Word?
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ROMANS ROAD 21-Day Devotional | Day 15 — “Genuine Faith”

Romans 10:6 But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down from above) 7 or, “’Who will descend into the abyss?’”(that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 
Genuine faith in God requires neither “signs” nor our “help” to fulfill God’s word. We don’t need Jesus to come down from heaven. We don’t need to go to heaven to see Him. If He was still in the grave, we would not have to go to that place to bring Him up. God’s word and promises have their own power.
Genuine faith does not demand external evidence. The beauty and simplicity of the faith is that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again to make it possible for us receive from God by believing and speaking.
Religion demands that people do something to prove their earnestness to God. Cults only require allegiance to a person. 
For the person who wants new life in Christ, they only need to receive what Jesus has already provided. Not only has God provided salvation, He has provided the “measure of faith” to receive it. For the person coming to faith in Christ and for believers who already serve Christ, the word of faith is in your mouth and heart. 
This is not some magical formula, it is not a particular Christian movement, it is simply the way that we access the grace of God. Ephesians 2:8 says “we are saved by grace through faith and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God not of works lest anyone should boast.”
Something that is provided by the grace of God can only be received by faith...and that faith begins with believing in your heart and confessing with your mouth. God does the rest!Reflection Question: Why does faith speak? What does faith say?
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ROMANS ROAD 21-Day Devotional: Day 14 – God is For You!

Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 
When we consider everything God has done, said, promised, and provided there’s only one conclusion: God is for you and no one can successfully be against you! 
This is why it is important to know what God has done, said, promised, and provided. This is why we read the Bible, go to church, have a pastor, participate Bible studies, and do personal study and devotions. We’re not trying to “earn” favor with God, we are simply living as disciples who want to learn and grow.
 Place a high priority on spending time with God and studying His word.
Reflection Question: Why is God for you?
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ROMANS ROAD 21-Day Devotional: Day 13 – From Suffering to Glory Revealed

Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 
It is very important to have proper perspective in life. How we perceive our life can determine our reality and influence our circumstances. The Apostle Paul endured a lot of suffering–much more than most of us will endure in a lifetime. Suffering and difficulties have a way of reshaping our thinking and putting us into a negative mindset, if we allow it. That’s the danger of suffering, not only what we’re going through (which will pass!) but the false sense that the suffering is defining our life.
Paul states that the sufferings of the present time cannot be compared to the glory that shall be revealed in us. There’s the key: Focus on what God is revealing...not on the suffering!I’ve come to understand that the revealing of that glory is not only later in heaven, but a lot of that glory happens now while we are yet on earth.  That “glory” is not some mist or other temporary manifestation. God’s glory is His purpose and presence revealed in and through your life.
God has the unique ability to turn “ashes into beauty.” He can transform our darkness to light.
Reflection Question: What glory is being revealed in you?
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Patricia Hudson | NCC Covenant Women’s Fellowship Meeting

Patricia Hudson – First Lady, New Covenant Church
NCC Covenant Women's Fellowship Meeting
Group discussion on Romans Chapter Five
www.NewCovenant.org