Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

ROMANS ROAD 21-Day Devotional: Day 5 - ”An Act of Love & Grace”

Romans 4:4 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.
Abraham had no basis to boast because without God he could have done nothing...and the same is true for you and me. As stated in a previous lesson, faith in God is the basis for becoming righteous. Righteousness by faith is a gift and impartation of grace from God through Jesus Christ. 
When people think they must work for salvation, they also think God is indebted to them. Example: If I do a job for you, I expect to be paid. If you do a big job for me, and do not charge me, I regard that as an underserved act of love and grace. 
Jesus did the big job of saving us, changing our eternal destiny, and giving us purpose for life! He only wants you to say “thank you” and go out to become a witness to others.Reflection Question: How does less work in our own strength bring more grace from God?
Key insight I gained today:
Today’s action item based on insight:

ROMANS ROAD 21-Day Devotional: Day 4 - ”No Boasting.”

Romans 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. One of the sure signs of self-righteousness is bragging about oneself in relation to being a Christian. If someone asked you, “How did you become a believer in Christ,” the answer does not include the good things you have done. The answer is all about what Jesus did for you. We are justified neither by the Old Testament law nor by any other law invented by religion. We are justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. Jesus made this possible. Reflection Question: What does in mean to be “justified?” Key insight I gained today: Today’s action item based on insight:

ROMANS ROAD 21-Day Devotional | Day 3 - Righteousness Without Religion

Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
In a day when people are blessed to receive the free gift of salvation by faith in Jesus, there are still those who believe they have to work for it. Worse, there are others who insist that you must live by their rules and lists of “dos and don’ts.” 
Yes, we have all sinned and come short of God’s glory, but we don’t find the answer to any sin issue by doing any religion or religious practice. God loved us and Jesus gave His live to make salvation, redemption, and righteousness available to all. 
Those who have received Jesus Christ have been made righteous and now desire to follow God. We have been “justified” which means “made righteous.” 
The grace that saved you is the same grace that will motivate you to follow God and be obedient to God’s word.Reflection Question: How is God’s grace at work in your life?
Key insight I gained today:
Today’s action item based on insight:
 

ROMANS ROAD 21 Day Devotional | Day 2 - Your Best Opportunity in Life

DAY 2
 
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” 
The message of the Gospel of Christ carries the power to change lives. It is a message of which we should never be ashamed. In fact, the best thing you’ve ever had the opportunity to know and share is the Gospel of Jesus Christ! The Good News of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection is the power that produced salvation and the hope of our eternal future. 
The Gospel produced righteousness that you could never achieve on your own. It is the gift of God along with the faith that God gave you to believe Him. “Faith to faith” describes your walk of faith from salvation to your daily life. “The just shall live by faith.”Reflection Question: In relation to your faith walk, what do you need to stop talking about and begin talking about?
Key insight I gained today:Today’s action item based on insight:
 
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ROMANS ROAD 21 Day Devotional | Day 1 - The Value of Impartation

DAY 1
 
Romans 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established— 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 
One of the encouraging truths about our Christian life is that we are never alone. We are not islands unto ourselves. We are neither independent nor dependent. We are interdependent in both helping one another and being self-empowered. 
We have great riches in Christ! We are complete in Him (Col. 2:10), but we also have the blessing of impartation from others. God uses others who can share insights and wisdom with us. Leaders, such as our pastors, help us discover new dimensions of God’s gifting within. Paul expressed his desire to spend time with believers to help them through instruction and training in God’s grace. We need our pastors, spiritual mentors, and fellow believers in the same way. We spend time in personal study and prayer for direct impartation through the Holy Spirit. 
We also benefit greatly from participating in Bible study and other gatherings of believers where we can receive the word and grow stronger in Christ. Reflection Question: Who does God use in your life to impart gifts and grace? 
Key insight I gained today: Today’s action item based on insight:
 
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Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute -- Intro to ”Roman’s Road” Devotional, Starting September 1, 2022

Romans 8:2, For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
Join me for a daily devotional through selected verses from the Book of Romans. This will not be a thorough study from Romans, but inspirational insights to encourage you.
The text from each lesson from the book will be posted here and at www.BryanHudson.com. You can purchase the print of Kindle edition of the book at www.Amazon.com
Be inspired and encouraged each day beginning Thursday, September 1!

Signs & Standards -- Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute for August 24, 2022

John 2:23, Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. 24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men
Friends are not simply attracted to your “signs.”  (Outward)
Friends are attracted to your “standards.” (Heart)
We live in a celebrity culture. This doesn't mean that there's something bad about recognizing high profile persons. It's more about how people create mindsets centered around famous people.
During Jesus time on the earth, he was certainly a celebrity using today's standards. What we know about celebrities is that many of them are highly talented, highly skilled, and do great work. Professional athletes and great singers come to mind.
The problem with celebrity culture is the superficial mindsets of people who inflate that culture.
In our text, we read that many people believed when they saw the signs Jesus did such as healing people. There were many who were only attracted to the signs, or the outward displays, of God's power. 
As we later learned after Jesus' miracle, or sign, of feeding thousands of people with a few fish and loaves of bread, God's greater purpose was to lead people to a better life in Christ. When people followed Jesus to his next destination, He said to them, "You've come over here because you ate food and were filled." He then said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." (John 6:35)
Returning to our text, we read that "Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because he know all men." –– People who were superficial sign seekers were not persons to whom Jesus would commit himself.
People who are attracted to signs are poor candidates for becoming disciples of Christ. Genuine disciples, or followers, of Christ are attracted to standards, not only signs. 
It is okay to recognize the talent and skill of celebrity-level people, but don't fail to connect with Christ followers who offer you avenues to high standards and who are willing to directly serve you in the Spirit of Jesus.
God Bless and Be Encouraged!
Bryan Hudson, D.Min.
 

What Is A Friend?

DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE SLIDES
Proverbs 17:17, A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. 
Proverbs 18:24, A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Ecclesiastes 4:9, Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Friend definition: Companion, fellow, fellow-citizen
Friendship is a Covenant Issue
•  It carries the burden of responsibility
•  It carries the blessings of benefits
Friends are not simply attracted to your “signs.”  (Outward)
Friends are attracted to your “standards.” (Heart)
John 2:23, Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. 24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, 
Jesus set the standard of friendship
John 15:13, Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.

When We Learn, We Do – Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute for August 17, 2022

James 1:22, But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
Last Sunday I concluded a series of teachings on the topic TODAY. The message was a summary entitled, "What Did We Learn? You can listen to the podcast, watch the video on YouTube, and download notes from all those teachings here on this blog.
As we reflected on what we learned,  I remembered the training I received in my Masters of Education program at Indiana University. My program was called Instructional Systems Technology, and was focused on instructional design, which is developing instructional methods and learning materials to be used by those who teach. This was a masters program the Lord encourage me to do, and I have found it very helpful for ministry.
One of the many concepts that stayed with me is something called, Transfer of Learning.
Transfer of learning occurs when people apply information, strategies, and skills they have learned to a new situation or context. Transfer is not a discrete activity, but is rather an integral part of the learning process.
Essentially, learning occurs when students can practice what they have received through instruction, including whatever activities went along with it such as projects, examinations, and application to one's life.
The Apostle James wrote, "Be a doer of the word and not a hearer only."  Until we do, we really haven't learned, and we truly do not know.
This is one of the reasons why I encourage our congregation to engage with the message after they've heard it. We post the messages to podcast, to YouTube, make notes downloadable, and sometimes include worksheets.
The idea of transfer of learning is a kingdom principal. Is there something you've heard that needs action? Remember, is not learning until it transfers into action.
God Bless and Be Encouraged!

TODAY– Part Four: What Did We Learn?

by Pastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min.
www.BryanHudson.com
www.NewCovenant.org