Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

”Today is Your Tomorrow” - Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute

("Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute" is a weekly encouragement sent by text on Wednesdays to supporters of New Covenant Church and Dr. Bryan Hudson.  Subscribe to this blog to get connected.)
All of what we hope for tomorrow, begins today. Joshua prepared Israel to cross the Jordan River. This was the second time they faced a barrier of water. First was the Red Sea after their exodus from Egypt. They miraculously crossed over with great joy, but they soon fell into bad habits. By the time Moses wrote the book of Deuteronomy, which was the last of his five books called the Pentateuch, he was very aware of Israel's failure after the Red Sea miracle.
 
In that last book, Moses wrote about people focusing on God and doing His will "today" over 160 times. Looking back, I think Moses realized that the people's hope for tomorrow was not met with preparation today. After Moses died, God raised up Joshua. As Israeli faced their second barrier of water, the Jordan River, we find Joshua giving them instructions today, before crossing over the next day. Joshua said, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” (Joshua 3:5)God has prepared you for every challenge and opportunity in front of you. Today is your tomorrow because what you do today determines your success tomorrow.
 
God Bless and Be Encouraged!~ Bryan Hudson

A Letter of Hope for Today - Bryan Hudson’s Commentary on Rev. Dr. King’s Letter from the Birmingham Jail

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Watch video presentation and read text of entire Letter From the Birmingham Jail
In April 1963, Martin Luther King was jailed in Birmingham, Alabama, after he defied a state court’s injunction and led a march of Black protesters without a permit, urging an Easter boycott of white-owned stores. A statement published in The Birmingham News, written by eight moderate white clergymen, criticized the march and other demonstrations. 
This prompted King to write a lengthy response, begun in the margins of the newspaper. He smuggled it out with the help of his lawyer, and the nearly 7,000 words were transcribed.
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/02/letter-from-a-birmingham-jail/552461/
 
 

”You Are in the Middle of God’s Purpose & Plan” - Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute

Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute for January 12, 2022
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Bryan Hudson, D.Min.,
Pastor, New Covenant Church, Indianapolis, Indiana 
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A Place Called Forward: Part Two - A New Way (Seven Keys)

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Joshua 3:8, You shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, saying, ‘When you have come to the edge of the water of the Jordan, you shall stand in the Jordan.’ ”
John 14:5, Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
When Jesus says you KNOW something, that knowledge is never wrapped inside of your knowledge and personal experience. When you KNOW Jesus, You know the way.
Joshua 3:3, And they commanded the people, saying, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it. 4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before.”
Key #1 - Live in Resurrection Power RelationshipKey #2 - Small Things MatterKey #3 - God has Prepared You For Every Challenge and Opportunity in Front of youKey #4 -  Pay AttentionKey #5 - Stand in the WaterKey #6 - When You Change, Your Circumstances will ChangeKey #7 -  You Don’t Have to See or Understand Everything That Helps You  Reflection Questions:
1. What is your New Normal?2. In what small things are you faithful?3. How has God prepared you?4. In what ways do you need to pay attention?5. In what do you need to stand right now?

The Power of Today

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TODAY is the only time that matters
Forward defined: 
To cause to proceed or progress toward a goal. To cause to go or be taken from one place, person, or condition to another.
Forward is a place to which God leads people of purpose and destiny. 
Forward is the place and the direction the vision takes you.
Forward is the only direction God is moving.
Exodus 14:13, And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. 14] For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace. 15]  And the LORD said to Moses, "Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.
Deuteronomy 28:1, “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.
Hebrews 3:13, But exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

What We Know AFTER Christmas

What We Know After Christmas
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1. LIGHT ALWAYS SHINES IN YOUR DARKNESSMatthew 4:16 NIV, The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned. (From Isaiah 9:2)
2. GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES
3. THERE IS PURPOSE, PROMISE, AND POWER IN JESUS NAMEMatthew 1:21, And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.       4. EVERY MENTION OF HIS NAME DECLARES THAT HE CAME TO DELIVER, SAVE, AND RESCUE YOULuke 2:21, On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived 
5. BECAUSE OF JESUS, WE RISELuke 2:34, Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against."      6. WISDOM IS NOT ONLY FOR THE OLD, BUT FOR THE YOUNGLuke 2:40, And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
7. GOD PROTECTS YOU FROM DESTROYERS OF LIFE AND PURPOSE
8. INTER-GENERATIONAL LEARNING AND GROWING IS GOD'S PLANLuke 2:46, Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 49, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.     

Good Tidings of Great Joy. Understanding the Power Joy

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Psalm 16:11 NIV, You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Luke 2:8, Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 
What is Joy?
Joy is the knowledge and satisfaction of God’s grace through Jesus Christ.
Joy is the knowledge or satisfaction of knowing you are in the will of God.
Joy is a feeling, but more than a feeling.

Love is the Great Navigator – Part 12 of Navigate! How to Successfully Journey Through Life and These Times

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1 John 4:7-12 (NKJV)
 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us

What to Do After Thanksgiving

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Colossians 3:14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 
What to do after Thanksgiving
1. Seek things that are above. Seek higher things and better things for your life.
2. Put on love. Be a person committed to loving others. It is the bond of perfection. What does it mean that you're perfect, but loving God and loving others is the best way to become better.
3. Let peace rule in your hearts. Don't allow confusion and fear to control you. Remember that Jesus is the prince of peace.
4. Stay connected to others and always be thankful.

5 Good Things That Happen When You Give Thanks

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1 Thessalonians 5:17, Pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit.
#1 -  Giving thanks helps you reconnect with your foundation#2 -  Giving thanks helps keep your life clear of anxiety, worry, and sin traps#3 -  Giving thanks is the container that allows you to receive and hold blessings, benefits and responsibilities#4 -  Giving thanks puts you in a position to allow God to transform every weakness into a strength#5 -  Giving thanks draws you closer to God and closer to covenant relationships