Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

Risen King. Rising Hope.

Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Hebrews 6: 9 “But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner.”
The key statement in this text is: “That I may know Him and (know) the power of His resurrection.
Living in the power of resurrection requires knowing, not just knowing about. Not about head knowledge. It's about heart knowledge.

"Why Your Season Never Fails," Part 2 - "The Season of Sharpening"

"Why Your Season Never Fails," Part 2 - "The Season of Sharpening"
Ecclesiastes 3:1, To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:
We need to be sharpened to get our sharp edge back on.
“If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but wisdom produces success.” Ecclesiastes 10:10
Since a dull ax requires great strength, sharpen the blade. That's the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed. Ecclesiastes 10:10 (NLT)
If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success. Ecclesiastes 10:10 (NIV)
Luke 24:45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Acts 1:12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. 13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers
Acts 2:1; When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all [a]with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them [b]divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Hebrews 11:6, But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him
Most seasons do not affect you, because you don’t live in it. 
Sharpening For Your Season:
Connect with God. Connect with your purpose and assignment, Connect with key people.
1. Be a doer of the Word because 
Ecclesiastes 10:18 Through laziness, the rafters sag; because of idle hands, the house leaks.. 
2. Prayer: Individual, corporate
3. True Worship; John 4:23
4. Fellowship: Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 John 2:7
5. Preparation: 2 Tim. 2:15, 1 Cor. 14:12
6. Accountability: Heb. 13:7, 17
7. Faith - Walking by faith, not by sight. 2 Cor. 5:7 (“He who observes the wind shall not sow...” Pr. 11:4)
8. Teaching & Training: 
 
2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers.”
We are in that time where leaders should not bring what is popular, we should bring what is pertinent.
Popular: ”Liked, enjoyed, or supported by many people”
Pertinent: “Having a clear decisive relevance to the matter in hand”
Be like Apollos - Some who is good who can still be sharpened
Acts 18:24 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; 28 for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

Why Your Season Never Fails

Why Your Season Never Fails
Part One: Planted Beside Living Water
 Watch featured video: https://youtu.be/lonp1dRNw6M
Psalms 1:1, Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners,Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2  But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3  He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. 4  The ungodly are not so,But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6  For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Now that we are into the spring season I’d like to talk about seasons in life. The essence of what David said in this psalm is that seasons bring success. But we need to properly understand God’s seasons,
What is success? Success is discovering and living God’s will in your life. Discovering and living in God’s will requires balance in life. Living out of balance is a problem:
 

There is a Blessing In the Refining Fire

Messing delivered at Fervent Prayer Church, Indianapolis.
Mark 9:49 “For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”
In our text, Jesus said that everyone will be seasoned by fire. Then he said that every offering will be seasoned with salt. The last thing he said in the text was, “Have salt in ourselves and peace with one another.” Let’s understand these words in context before we proceed. Let’s look at first Peter
1 Peter 1:6, In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7] that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8] whom having not seen you love.
In the Bible, there are basically three types of fire:1, There is the fire of adverse circumstances2. There is consuming fire3. There is refining fire
We need to resist the fire of adverse circumstances,We need to avoid God's consuming fire,We need to embrace God's refining fire.
Notice in this text what is most important. Many times we are only focused on the heat and pressure of our trials and tests, but we are not looking at God’s intended outcome.
Verse 7: that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
We know Peter is not talking about a consuming fire because the text says, “Tested by fire.” God’s consuming fire does not come to test, but to judge, consume and destroy. Our focus needs to be on the quality of our faith which is more valuable to you than money and gold. “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” Too many of us are consumed with fear, doubt, and constant conflict in our relationships. Sometime people are speaking everything other than faith over our relationships
I suggest in our text that Jesus is talking about refining fire. What happens when you put fire on different types of items? as Paul said, would he and stubble or burned up. Precious stones, gold, are refined and made better.

Love Works, Part 3, Marriage by God’s Book

Love Works, Part 3, Marriage by God’s Book
Insights from, “The Five Love Languages” by Dr. Gary Chapman
Ephesians 5:25-33, Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church — for we are members of His body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery--but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
 1 Peter 3:7, Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding [knowledge], giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker [delicate] vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.
Proverbs 4:3-4, Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
1 John 3:18My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.
 Today’s view of marriage in popular society has changed in ways that we know very well. However, God’s view of biblical marriage, which we call Holy Matrimony, has not changed. For believers in Christ, God’s word is our guide. We live and walk by the high standards and grace-filled principles of the Bible. A lot of what we see in marriages, that are failing at the rate of 50%, is people walking in their understanding and selfish ways. People certainly have the right to not follow God or obey the Scriptures, but true Christians do not have an alternative—nor do we desire an alternative.
Ephesians 5:25 says, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her...31 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery, but I am talking about Christ and the church."
A mystery is not something hidden. It is something revealed to those who have "ears to hear" and "eyes to see" what the Lord is saying and showing. Jesus is either "Lord of all" or He is not "Lord at all" in your life.
 The husband is head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. What is the revealed mystery  of Christ’s relationship to His church?
He makes holy (special, “other than”).
Provide care and support
Loves us more than we love ourselves
Unified and not divided: One
Summary: However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Respect Defined:A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. Due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others 
Anyone who has a leadership position has a greater responsibility before God. That includes husbands. Leadership needs follow-ship to be effective. As the old saying goes: “He that leads and no one follows is taking a walk.”

LoveWorks, Part Two "Cultivating & Growing Your Relationships" by Bryan & Patricia Hudson

LoveWorks 
Part Two:  Cultivating and Growing Your Relationships
Teaching notes and DISC self-assessment tool: http://newcovenant.org/Cultivating_Growing_Relationships.pdf
2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. 16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 
Because attitudes and relationships need to “grow,” we have to pay attention to the “soil” and foundation of relationships. That soil begins with our own hearts and minds. As Myles Munroe taught, the key to being single or being in a relationship is being whole in yourself. My lesson today will look at relationships from the perspective of cultivating our own hearts. We will address the important of having a good attitude or mindset.
“Cultivate” is a farming term. Cultivation is not only about growing plants. It is mainly about preparing the soil and working the ground to raise good crops.
“A good attitude will not always change our circumstances, but it will always change us.” ~ John Maxwell
Attitude is not what people perceive. It is not something we figure our in others. Attitude is your internal disposition. It is something we figure out in ourselves.
Your attitude or mindset determines your altitude, or how high and far you can go. In relationships we learn to navigate attitudes, moods, and mindsets. We should operate at a higher level of relating spiritually, but no one is purely spiritual. 
2 Cor. 5:16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh
According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, the word "attitude" means "an internal position or feeling with regard to something else." Other words often used as synonyms are: "disposition, feeling, mood, opinion, sentiment, temper, tone, perspective, frame of mind, outlook, view, or morale."
Airplane pilots often use "attitude" to describe their relationship the horizon during flight and with the runway for landing.
We have to manage the “version” of ourselves and our spouses and high level relationships.
Ephesians 4:22 NIV, "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off the old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds." 
Ephesians 4:2-3, TLB. "Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Be led together by the Holy Spirit to be at peace with one another." 
We have to pay attention to personality types, both within ourselves and others.
DISC is a well understood and widely accepted model of behavior styles. The letters DISC stand for:
DOMINANT
INFLUENCE
STEADINESS
CONSCIENTIOUS
DISC measures a person’s natural, hard-wired behavioral style.  It focuses on a person’s natural, most comfortable way of doing things. This model is mainly designed to help each person become self-aware and then to respect the behavior styles of others

LoveWorks, Part One - Jesus, Our Example of Friendship

John 15:9 As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 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.
It is amazing to realize that we have the opportunity not only to worship God, not only to reverence him, and stand in awe of him, but we were invited to be friends with God. I don’t believe that any religion of this world offers such an idea, that one might be friends with the deity, with the God who is reverenced, feared, and worshiped.
What we learn from this text is that Jesus wants a relationship with his followers. Not just a religious devotion, but a loving, sincere, committed relationship. In verse nine Jesus said that as the Father has loved him he also loved us. This makes the relationship between Jesus and father God the example and the pattern of the kind of relationship we should have with Jesus and with one another.
There are four levels of relationship: 
1. There are acquaintances
2. There are colleagues/co-workers/partners
3. There is Christian/Kingdom Covenant with fellow believers in Christ
4. And there are true friends (Including spouse)
KEY POINT #1 - True friends experience a high level of agreement
Matthew 19:19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed? (KJV)
The sense of the Hebrew text here is interesting. The word agreed from the Hebrew means to fix, appoint, assemble, meet, set, betroth; to meet, to meet by appointment, etc. The sense is two walking in a common direction because they agree to do so. It means agreeing to make an appointment to come together, and from there set out on a journey to a destination together. It is like saying to someone, I’ll meet you at Starbucks and we can go to the restaurant from there. 
KEY POINT #2 - True friends are mutually loyal and dependable
True friends are mutually loyal and dependable. Again, friendship is a two-way relationship where both parties give and receive, not only in fair-weather, when everything is great.  A fair-weather friend is someone who remains a friend only when things are going well but abandons others during times of trouble or difficulty.
Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.
KEY POINT #3 - True friends confide in one another and that confidence is never betrayed. 
1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
KEY POINT #4 - True friends speak highly of one another and empower one another, especially in times of uncertainty.
John 15: 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. 
Proverbs 27:17 NKJ As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
 

Forward & Upward, Part 7, "From Strength to Strength"

Forward & Upward: Part Seven, “From Strength to Strength”
Psalm 71:18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.
Psalm 84:5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage. 6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca [tears], They make it a spring; The rain also covers it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength; Each one appears before God in Zion.
It is fitting that we conclude this series on Forward and Upward on the last Sunday of our Psalms Devotional and in Black History month. We often say that history is “His-Story.” We are the descendants of people who overcame impossible obstacles, went from strength to strength, and still left a legacy of provision for others.
Rudy Bridges was such a person, who made history at the age of six years old.
It’s one thing to do someting for yourself. It’s another thing to do something that benefits the lives of others. As David said, Psalm 71:18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.
A PILGRIM moves with purpose to leave a legacy. A TRAVELER just wants to enjoy the view and have a good time. Both are moving. Are you a pilgrim or a traveler? 
The western, europeon, American mindset is, ”I think therefore I am. The African and Hebrew mindset is, ”I am because we are. I'm nothing without my people"
David approaching everything from the perspective of a worshipper and a victor, not just as a victim. He looked to the Lord for help.
V. 5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,
God is your source. Your strength is in Him as your source, not in your resources.
V. 5 Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.
A pilgrim is someone moving on a specific mission for God. We can use the word “trailblazer.” A traveller may only be someone moving for pleasure. In context, the jewish people were often on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to celebrate days of feats or “appointed times” in the presence of the Lord. 
V. 6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca [tears]
The journey was sometimes difficult because the of the desert environment and hardships such as drought along the way. This is the point at which travelers become “unhappy”, lose their will to continue, and drop off. A traveler is all about having a good time. A pilgrim or trailblazer is all about purpose and God’s purposes in particular.
This “Valley of Baca” is oftentimes a “Valley of tears” because of the anguish and hardship. 
V. 6 They make it a spring;
Some translations render this verse, “They make a well or wells.” The idea is that they didn’t just suffer through it. The did something about it. They dug wells or made cisterns to collect rain water and heavy dew. You might think, “how could that help them if they were in need of water?” 
Here is where the legacy part comes in: They did not make the well for themselves. They made for others who would follow them! 
A lot of us pilgrims don’t get the opportunity to benefit from their own labors. A true trailblazer is building paths and opportunities for those who follow. This is what people in the generation of Dr. Martin Luther King did, and people in every generation have done. This is what I do.
One commentator wrote: “This trouble they willingly undertook, rather than to neglect the opportunity of going up to Jerusalem at their solemn times. And possibly they did this, not only for themselves, but for the benefit of other travellers who came after them; whereby they showed both their piety and charity.”
V. 6 The rain also covers it with pools.
God (Our Source) fills the wells and cisterns with water to create a resources for those who follow.
V. 7 They go from strength to strength; Each one appears before God in Zion
This is the highest hope of every pilgrim and trailblazer: That those who follow will experience strength for their journey, and become a trailblazer for others; “Strength to strength." These are things that mere travelers cannot do. A traveler is focused on more on himself than on others.
The prophetic words of Isaiah 61 describe the mission of the ultimate Pilgrim and Trailblazer, Our Lord Jesus Christ. One a day when He was in the synagogue, he stood up to read and he was given the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He found this place and read the following:
1  “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, 3  To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified

The Blessings of Confidence in God & The Peril of Self-Confidence - Lesson from Hezekiah

Forward & Upward
Part Six, The Blessings of Confidence in God. The Peril of Self-Confidence.
Psalms 71:5 For you have been my hope, Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.
Confidence is an important part of life and an important part of your life. Confidence is part of your way forward and upward. We all have our understanding of what confidence is, but I would like to explore what the Bible says about confidence.
There are basically two kinds of confidence: 1) Confidence in the Lord and in what he has given you. 2) Self-Confidence.
Confidence in God and skill makes you strong and allows room to make you stronger.
Self-confidence is limiting because it depends on what you think of yourself. Self-confidence gets all mixed up with self-esteem.
True confidence comes from skill. Skill comes from training and repetition
The advantage we have in Christ is that we always trust in a power bigger than ourselves. Like Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) 
What you cannot say is, “I can do all things through myself.” Let me give you an example
If both pilots become incapacitated and the head steward makes an announcement: “We have an emergency, both of our pilots are unconscious, can anyone here fly an airplane?” Someone stands up and says, “I don't have pilot training but I have confidence!” 
Proverbs 14:16 “...A fool rages and is self-confident.”
That kind of confidence is just happy talk. We have a of confident incompetent people from White Castle to the White House. You never need someone who only has self-confidence. You need someone who has confidence in skills that they actually have. As believers, we need confidence in the strength of God through Christ. Strength is not a mindset, it is actual ability.
What David said: Psalms 27:3 Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident. 4 One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple. 5 For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.
Philippians 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ
We have faith in the promises of God. We are confident in what God is doing in us and in what has given us. Confidence follows faith and sustains it. Confidence is our inner image of the purpose of God being fulfilled through us. "
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence (or confidence) of things not seen.

Day 3 | February Devotional from Psalms - "Why God Cares So Much For You" (Psalm 8)

Day 3 | February Devotional from Psalms - "Why God Cares So Much For You" (Psalm 8)