Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

Fathers in 3D: Our Design, Our Destiny, Our Duty

Fathers in 3D 
Our Destiny, Our Design, Our Duty
 
Psalm 103:13 ESV As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
 
Proverbs 17:6, Children's children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their father.
Proverbs 1:8, My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother;
 
A. A Father’s Destiny (Purpose)
Fathers instruct, mothers impart the law of God. Instructions and principles form the basic tools for building anything, including a life. “Law” speaks of what to do. “Instruction” speaks of how to do.
 
1. He is destined to bring correction and Instruction. Correction from a father prepares children to accept God’s correction
Hebrews 12:9, “Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?”
 
2. He is destined to be admired by his children and grandchildren.
 
B. A Father’s Design
Fathers, like Adam, the “father” of Eden, are developed by divine instruction and maximized (brought to fullness) through action in divine purpose.  Gen. 1:26, 2:8-15
 
1. He is designed to reflect Father God’s: 
Image (Character)
Likeness (Manner)
Dominion (Action)
 
2. He is designed to cultivate (tend and keep) the purpose of God in sons and daughters
Ephesians 6:4, And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
 
3. He is designed to Reflect Christlikeness and Remove any curse
Galatians 3:13, Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"[2] ), 14that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 
 
 
C. A Father’s Duty
Fathers are gateways to provision, protection and power. “In the gates…”
Jeremiach 17:19, Thus the LORD said to me: "Go and stand in the gate of the children of the people, by which the kings of Judah come in and by which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem; 20and say to them, "Hear the word of the LORD, you kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who enter by these gates.
 
1. His duty is to lead the way (Not like Samuel 1 Sam. 8:1-3 “Our father which art inactive”)
 
2. His duty is to overcome obstacles and build for the future 
Nehemiah 4:14,  “And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, "Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses."
 
3. His duty is to set standards that children and others should follow
    PRO 22:28  Do not remove the ancient landmark which your fathers have set.
 
Our responsibility to our Fathers is to:
 
Listen to him
Learn from him
Lean on him
Love him

The Master Key: The Great Exchange

Isaiah 40:31  But those who hope in the Lord will renew [exchange] their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. 
Exchange is a part of life. We all need renewal and refreshing on a regular basis. One of the best examples of that principle is sleep. Isn’t it interesting that we have to sleep 5-8 hours out of every 24 hours.  (Watch Video, "What Happens When You Sleep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTgNgGO_bLs)
Sleep is involuntary, but there are exchanges that we should make voluntary.
The normal activities and challenges of life take a toll. There are also circumstances that require exchange for us to cope and make progress in life. Situations like the passing of loved ones or unexpected setbacks on life are among the biggest examples.
 
Whatever the situation, God has made a provision through His grace. The grace of God is everything He has that He makes available to us. And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. (John 1:16)
An Exchange was the basis of our Salvation
1 John 2:2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
MASTER KEY: “The Great Exchange” is God’s method for our renewal of strength.
This is nothing new. It is a very old and biblical understanding of our God works in our lives. We cannot change ourselves using our own strength. We can make superficial adjustments, but deep and lasting change much come from our Creator. 
Sometimes an exchange is necessary to undo a bad exchange.
Matthew 16:25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 
MASTER KEY: PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR EXCHANGES
We are always giving up one thing for another. That’s a part of life, but be mindful of what you are exchanging.
Romans 1:24, Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.

The Master Key: Love Never Fails

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails.
Galatians 5:13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
MASTER KEY: Love never fails because the love walk is consistent.
We underestimate or fail to understand the power of the God kind of love. Love is one of the most commonly used, but least understood words in our language. Love has a lot of meanings and is used and defined in many different ways.
John 3:16 is the best definition of love, “For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.”
This is what we call the “God kind of love.”

The Master Key: Part Three, Diligence

2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 6:11, And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
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.
Definitions of Diligence,
Steady application in business; constant in effort or exertion to accomplish what is undertaken; 
A diligent person sees what needs to be done; and they do it, and do it, and do it until they get the desired result
Marked by careful attention or persistent application.
Persevering determination to perform a task
 
(Vine’s/Hebrew/Greek) – “A working,” is indicative of a process. 
MASTER KEY: For believers in Christ, diligence is not simply “works,” it is an extension of God’s grace in action.
(Joyce Meyer) We see many people who come to work in “ministry” fail to realize that they will have to change in order to have the privilege of working for God. 
Proverbs 13:4 The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.
MASTER KEY:  It takes diligence to succeed in a process that involves you.
Everything in life is a process – that is the way God has arranged things. 
1. Pregnancy and birth is a process. 
2. Growing up physically and spiritually is a process. 
3. Education and learning is a process. 
4. Why would promotion or advancement on the job or in ministry be any different? 
 
[First mention] EXO 15:26, and said, "If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.”
MASTER KEY:  God didn’t say only “heed,” He said “diligently heed.” Anyone can heed in the moment, but the process to obeying and following God is diligence.  It is the only way 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. "And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God:
Proverbs 10:4, He who deals with a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes one rich.
Proverbs 13:4, the soul of a sluggard desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.
Proverbs 21:5, The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.
MASTER KEY: Diligence is one of the key components of leadership.
Romans 12:8, He who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
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[c] in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given[d] to hospitality
MASTER KEY:  Repentance on the part of the Corinthians produced a new level of motivation and diligence. When we are in disobedience to God, divine energy is lacking. We need God’s strenght to get things done.
2 Corinthians 7:1, Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2 Corinthians 7:11, For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
2 Corinthians 8:7, But as you abound in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us--see that you abound in this grace also.
2 Timothy 2:15, Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Hebrews 6:11, And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
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.
MASTER KEY:  Diligence releases God’s rewards
2 Peter 1:5, But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6] to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,

The Master Key, Part Two - Lessons from Eagles

Deut 32:9 (NLT)  For the people of Israel belong to the Lord;  Jacob is his special possession.  10 He found them in a desert land, in an empty, howling wasteland. He surrounded them and watched over them; he guarded them as he would guard his own eyes. 11 Like an eagle that rouses her chicks and hovers over her young, so he spread his wings to take them up and carried them safely on his pinions. 12 The Lord alone guided them;  they followed no foreign gods. 
God compares Himself to a mother eagle.  God declares Himself in scripture by comparing His previously unknown attributes with other attributes that are known to mankind. 
“Rouses her chicks"  It means "to rouse, to incite or awaken."  God stirs His people in many ways including sermons, trials, the conviction of the Holy Spirit and more.
This verse is found in a passage known as the Song of Moses.  In this song, Moses recaps for the children of Israel their short history and magnifies God's perfections and holiness.  An outline of the passage might be: 
1.  God's Promise To His People     v. 7-9
2.  God's Perfecting of His People    v. 10-12
3.  God's Provisions For His People    v. 13-14 
In these verses we also see how God sought them (v.  7-8); He saved them (v. 9); He schooled them (v. 10 ...he instructed him...); He shielded them (v. 10 ...he kept him as the apple of his eye... ); He established them (v. 11 ); and He separated them (v. 12 ).  Let us narrow our focus to verse 11.  In this great song of Moses, why does God compares Himself to a mother eagle?  I believe that we can learn some great truths by studying this comparison: truths about God and His people, and truths about mothers.
Male and female bald eagles mate for life
I.    The Mother Eagle Speaks of the Nurturing Nature of Our God
Moses compares the work of his God in removing Israel from Egypt to the mother eagle's stirring over its young.  Bondage in Egypt had been an incubation period for the Jewish people, but God, like the mother eagle, had plans for His young. 
Nurture defined: to give tender care and protection to a child, a young animal, or a plant, helping it to grow and develop; to encourage somebody or something to grow, develop, thrive, and be successful
How does God nurture like a mother eagle?
1.  The Eagle's Sight  (God's Omniscience) It is said that eagles have such extraordinary sight that they can see an object as small as a rabbit from hundreds of feet in the air!  In its sight, he eagle typifies God's omniscience.  He sees and knows all.  Isaiah 40:28 says "...there is no searching of God's understanding..."
2.  The Eagle's Swiftness (God's Omnipresence)  The eagle can fly at  speeds over 100 miles per hour, and can reach 180 MPH in a dive.  God does not need to travel at high speeds because he is everywhere present.  “A very present help in time of need.” “Behold, I come quickly.” “Before you call, I say here I am.”
3.  The Eagle's Strength  (God's Omnipotence)  The adult eagle weighs around 25 pounds but can pick up and carry animals that weigh between 50-75 pounds.  Eagle handlers must wear protective gear to keep the birds from crushing their arms.  The eagle's strength reminds us of God's omnipotence.  “Cast all you care upon him, for he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
4.  The Eagle's Soaring  (God's Holiness)  Eagles can fly higher than any other birds.  They have been accidentally hit by jets in flight.  This shows us God's holiness, which is far above all.  No one can approach God's holiness.  Jehovah Elyon: “The Lord God most high.”
5.   The Eagle's Offspring (God's Children)   Mother eagles are very protective and supportive of their young.  Many animals ignore their young and some even devour them.  But eagles train and teach the little eaglets.  Likewise, God does not leave His children to themselves.  Think of the children of Israel in the wilderness.  God fed them, gave them water, kept them warm at night and shaded in the day. 

The Master Key, Part 1

The Master Key, Part One
Romans 8:1, There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God [New Covenant Principle], nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
A master key is a special key design to unlock every door in a facility. Lesser keys only unlock specific doors. When you have the master key you can go everywhere and open any door. A master key is possessed by fewer people an is related to their authority and/or responsibility
In God’s kingdom there are keys which are truths God has created and enacted through Christ that open doors. There are also lesser keys in which people trust that cannot open doors that only God can open:
The keys (law/principle) that people use:
1. Their knowledge & understanding
2. Their point of view
3. Their prejudices and presumptions
4. Their privilege
5. Their experience
6. Their delegated authority
7. Their religion or non-biblical religious beliefs
What you need is the Master Key
“The law of spirit of life in Christ has made me free from the law of sin and death”
With the master key there is no condemnation from God or anyone else. With the master key there is freedom from sin and death. Things you could never overcome by yourself are overcome in Christ. With the master key you can live and function through the Spirit of God, and be enslaved to your carnal (flesh-ruled) nature.

It Is Finished. So You Can Begin.

John 19:28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
Easter Sunday has passed, but resurrection power is still here! For some “holidays” like Halloween, the day after has no significance or meaning. Jesus’ resurrection continues to impact our lives in real ways because what He finished was our beginning. He finished many things including: His obedience to God; His sacrifice leading to our redemption from sin; Our salvation on every level - spirit, soul, and body; Peace and power through the Holy Spirit: The fruit of the Spirit in our hearts, and so much more.
The apostle Paul spoke of “knowing” Jesus and “the power of His resurrection:"
Philippians 3;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.
You can’t know something that is not real and present in your daily life. In your daily time, deepen your relationship with God through Christ. Reflect on the teachings of the Bible and let the principles and power of the word of God work in you!
What Does Tetelestai Mean?
"It is finished," which is one of Jesus' most important statements, is translated from the single Greek word tetelestai. The grammatical structure of the Greek word, perfect passive indicative, is very important. 
The perfect tense indicates that the progress of an action has been completed and the result of that action is ongoing and with full effect. 

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: