Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

Justice=Righteousness & Righteousness = Justice

He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)
Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow. (Isaiah 1:17) 
The contexts of the words justice and judgment suggest the following:
1. One cannot preach righteousness without doing justice.
2. Justice must be done in the spirit of righteousness.
3. Authenticity is essential for one’s lifestyle. Live according to Christ and the word of God.
4. One must take action in helping those who are disadvantaged. 
5. Resist oppressors by holding persons accountable who would take advantage of others.
6. Stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. 
Justice = Righteousness 
Righteousness = Justice
In the Bible the words are sometimes used interchangeably. Psalms 89:14 
KJV: Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.
NIV: Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you
There are three types of justice
1. Biblical Justice
2. Social Justice
3. Civil Justice

Lord, Teach Us to Pray! Part Four: Victory Everyday!

Matthew 6:13, And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Remember that’s God’s design is for you to experience VICTORY EVERYDAY! 
Kingdom - The domain of the KingPower - grace, ability, provisionGlory - God’s presenceForever (Everyday and into eternity)

Victory Over Sin That Hides -"'Forgive Us Our Debts, as We Forgive Our Debtors"

Matthew 6:12  And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
Followers of Christ do not have a “sin conscience.”When you live for Christ, you are not consumed with fear of doing wrong.
Hebrews 10:1 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins.
Walking with Jesus daily keeps our conscience clear. 

Firm Foundation Bible Study - Topic: All Manner of Prayer

“Pray at all times—on every occasion, in every season—in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people).” Ephesians  6:18 Amplified (Also read  Timothy 2:1-4)
The Apostle Paul exhorted the Ephesians believers to pray with “all prayers" or "all manner of prayer." Prayer is certainly not a technical issue, so we don't have to fret about how we pray, so long as we are earnestly praying to God.That said, it is helpful to examine and practice all types prayers so that we may  be more focused and motivated to pray. The scriptures show various types of prayers. Below is brief overview of common types of prayer.1. Prayer of supplication. 1 Kings 8: 37-40, 54 - 55, Luke 11: 9 - 13, James 5: 17-18Supplication is a specific request. Theses three scriptures show people were seeking (or asked to seek) for something specific. When you know what is needed, you can offer a prayer of supplication.2. Prayer of intercession. Genesis 18: 22-33 (Abraham) 1 Kings 18: 41-46 (Elijah) 2 Kings 4: 32-36 (Elisha) Acts 12:1-18 (The early church)To intercede means to plead or mediate on behalf of another person. Jesus intercedes for us (Hebrews 7: 25). The Holy Spirit prays for us and through us as we pray in the Spirit (Romans 8: 26 - 27).When we pray earnestly for other people, we enter into the realm of intercession, in which we present people and their needs to God. There is also a dimension to intercession where we "stand in the gap" for people for special blessing or protection. (Eze. 22:30)3. Prayer of faith. Mark 11:12-14, Mark 11:20-25, Luke 7: 1-10, James 5:13-18, Matthew 9:18-26The prayer of faith is a supernaturally confident type of prayer, that is absent of doubt. The woman with the issue of blood (Matthew 9) knew that touching Jesus would get her healed. Her faith gave her the strength to press through the crowd. Strong faith and boldness accompany the prayer of faith. This manner of faith releases special blessings and miracles.4. Prayer of agreement.  Genesis 11:1-9, Matthew 18: 19-20, Exodus 17: 8-13, Psalm 133: 1-3, Acts 4:23, Hebrews 10: 24-25The prayer of agreement occurs when two or a few people come together (the fewer the better), in agreement with one another and with the Word of God on something God wants to do. The prayer of agreement is connected the authority of God has vested in His church. Prayers of agreement can multiply the effects of God blessings beyond what one can do by oneself.5. Prayer of praise, worship and thanksgiving. Psalm 100, Acts 16:16-34, Psalm 149:4-9Praise, worship and thanksgiving can be a form a prayer that brings us into the presence of God. When we praise and thank God, we are affirming our faith in Him. This pleases God and helps our faith. Praise and thanksgiving disarm two of the most deadly enemies to our Christian walk, doubt and fear. No wonder the scriptures call praise a two edged sword (Psalm 149: 4-9)6. Prayer of Dedication. 1 Kings 8:62-64, Mark 14:36, Acts 7:59, 9:6, 13:3, 14:23The prayer of dedication is used to consecrate or dedicate someone or something to God. In the Old Testament, priests, altars, and tabernacles were dedicated by prayer. In the New Testament, Jesus and others dedicated (or ordained) disciples, apostles, elders deacons to the work of God.

Rebellion: What Is It? Is it Always Wrong?

 
Isaiah 30:1 “Woe to the rebellious children,” says the Lord, “Who take counsel, but not of Me, And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, That they may add sin to sin;
The simple definition of rebellion is: “The action or process of resisting authority...”
Rebellion is a major program in every area of life and society. There are also instances were rebellion is warranted. We'll touch on that later.
Rebellion is an artifact of human nature. It naturally occurs in all people, including you and me. In fact, we were born with rebellious tendencies because people are born and shaped in iniquity.  
Psalm 51:5, Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.
One of the most important features of child training is to check the rebellious spirit. A child who's allowed to be rebellious will grow up as a rebellious adult. A child who grows up resisting the guidance and authority of his parents will become an adult carrying that same attribute. Rebellious people always wind up in trouble or worse.
Some quotes on rebellion:“A creature revolting against a creator is revolting against the source of his own powers–including even his power to revolt. It is like the scent of a flower trying to destroy the flower.”  C.S. Lewis
“For there is no one so great or mighty that he can avoid the misery that will rise up against him when he resists and strives against God.”  John Calvin
“The beginning of men’s rebellion against God was, and is, the lack of a thankful heart.” Francis Schaeffer
The Bible is very clear about rebellion. 
1 Samuel 15:23, For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected you from being king. (Speaking to Saul who defied the instructions of the prophet Samuel)
Proverbs 17:11, Evil people are eager for rebellion, but they will be severely punished.
Romans 13:1-2 Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. (This is also used in wrong ways)
In our country, peaceful protest is acceptable. However, rioting is illegal and destructive. It is clearly rebellious and it undermines credibility and achieving justice.
Dr. King and the people of the Civil Rights were correct in their approach. They practiced "civil disobedience" which many called rebellion. They were not rebellious because they remained submitted to authority in other areas of their lives.
There is the story of a wife who was married to an unsaved man. He told her that she could not go to Wednesday evening Bible Study, and that if she went he would lock her out of the house. She went and he locked her out. She came home. When he opened the door the next morning, she fell in because she fell asleep sitting against the door.  She got up, said "good morning" and asked him what he wanted for breakfast.
Notice she rebelled against him telling her that she could not go to church, but she remained submitted as a wife. The man got saved and became the great evangelist named Smith Wigglesworth.
A rebellious person is consistently out of order in their lives, not submitted to authority, and not accountable to anyone but themselves. A lack of accountability and being answerable is the soil of a rebellious spirit.
Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”
Isaiah 63:10 But they rebelled against him and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he became their enemy and fought against them.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear something new. They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths.
Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Hebrews 12:5-6  And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
You have a duty to rebel against ungodly authority like Hezekiah.
2 Kings 18:1, Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea the son of Elah, king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, began to reign.  4 He removed the high places and broke the sacred pillars, cut down the wooden image and broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made; for until those days the children of Israel burned incense to it, and called it Nehushtan. 5 He trusted in the Lord God of Israel, so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor who were before him. 6 For he held fast to the Lord; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the Lord had commanded Moses. 7 The Lord was with him; he prospered wherever he went. And HE REBELLED against the king of Assyria and did not serve him. 8 He subdued the Philistines, as far as Gaza and its territory, from watchtower to fortified city.
 
 

"Lord Teach Us To Pray" Part Two: Daily Bread, Daily Provision.

Matt. 6:11,  Give us this day our daily bread.
When we see that this is a simple prayer for the needs of the everyday, we understand the following: 
1 We understand that God cares for our bodies. Jesus showed us that; he spent so much time healing men's diseases and satisfying their physical hunger.
2 We understand to live one day at a time, and not to worry and be anxious about the distant and the unknown future. When Jesus taught his disciples to pray this petition, He likely remembered the story of the manna in the wilderness (Exo.16:1-21). 
The children of Israel were starving in the wilderness. and God sent them the manna. the food from heaven; but there was one condition--they must gather only enough for their immediate needs. If they tried to gather too much, and to store it up, it went bad. 
We know that God is not against us making plans, but we need to become more appreciative of the day in which we live. As the Pslamist said, “This is the day the Lord has made, we shall rejoice and be glad in it.”
Jesus said in Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
3. Praying for daily provision puts God His proper place in our lives. We are reminded that it is from God we receive the food which is necessary to support life. No man has ever created a seed which will grow.
4. This pray reminds us of how prayer works. If a man sat back and waited for bread to fall into his hands, he would starve.“You do not have because you do not ask God.” James 4:2
5. Jesus did not teach us to pray: "Give ME my daily bread." He taught us to pray: "Give US our daily bread."
This prayer teaches us never to be selfish in our prayers.  This prayer is not only a prayer that we may receive our daily bread; it is also a prayer that we may share our daily bread with others. 

Lord, Teach Us to Pray - Part One, Your Kingdom Come, Your Will be Done.

The Model Prayer
Matthew 6:5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you [c]openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9 In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
10  Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
11  Give us this day our daily bread.
12  And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
13  And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Your Treasure. Your Heart. Your Words. Part Three: Wisdom & Words From Above

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. James 3:17
www.BryanHudson.com

Firm Foundation Bible Study - Romans 13:1-7, "Who are our Ministers, Authorities, and Avengers."

Lesson by Bryan Hudson, D.Min.
A discussion about Romans 13:1-7 in light of its literal relevance to modern day America and other governments of the world. Was America founded on Christian principles or did the Founders design a government free from religious control in order to maximize freedom for all forms of religion?
(Presentation notes: http://visioncomsolutionscom.siteprotect.net/Justice_Romans13.pdf)
Romans 13:1, Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

Your Treasure. Your Heart. Your Words. Part Two: The Power and the Peril of the Tongue

Your Treasure. Your Heart. Your Words.PART TWO: The Power and the Peril of the Tongue
 
(Download Barclay commentary on James 3)
 
Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. James 3:2 (NLT)
 
Words have significance in three domains:In the Kingdom of God (realm of the spirit)In your life: spirit, soul (mind, will, emotions), bodyIn your circumstances
 
For salvationRomans 10:8 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): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
To confirm our beliefs and release our faith in God
2 Corinthians 4:13, And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak,
 
James teaches about the power of the tongue
 
James 3:1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect [brought to its end, finished, wanting nothing necessary to completeness] man, able also to bridle [to lead by a bridle, to guide, hold in check, restrain] the whole body. 
 
(Barclay) James is not pleading for a cowardly silence but for a wise use of speech. 
 
Small things control big thingsJames 3:3 Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great [great not in “good” but as is exaggerated or overblown] things.
 
Taming the tongue, and the heartJames 3:5, See how great a  forest a little fire kindles!  6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles [stain or soil] the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 
 
God gave mankind dominion over a creatures in the earth but he cannot tame the tongue.
 
I watched a dolphin show at the zoo last year. It was incredible that these animals had been trained to do the amazing things they did. We even train our dogs, but the tongue is not tamed. Only the heart can tame the tongue, and the heart must be trained by God. "Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth" (Gen.1:28)
 
Living in contradiction, hypocrisy, and duplicity - deceitfulness in speech or conduct, as by speaking or acting in two different ways to different people concerning the same matter; double-dealing.
 
James 3:9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.
 
Peter was caught in hypocrisy, and duplicity Galatians 2:11 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; 12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.
 
James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.