Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

Prisoners of Hope: Committed to Seeing the Best

Zechariah 9:11 “As for you also, Because of the blood of your covenant, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. 12  Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope. Even today I declare That I will restore double to you."
Psalms 68:4, Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, By His name Yah, And rejoice before Him. 5  A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation. 6 God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a dry land
We are living in a world full of sin and darkness. If you read all of Zechariah 9, you will statement after statement of God judging Israel’s enemies and His promise to protect His people.There is a certain amount of pain that comes with simply living in this world. People become distracted by the pain, noise and clutter of this world. People get caught up in carnal pursuits, which becomes their prison. There are all kinds of prisons. People who commit crimes, and some falsely accused, end up in literal prison. Some are prisoners to their own bad practices, such as lying. Some are prisoners to unforgiveness or bitterness.
Everyone is a prisoner, So you may as well be a Prisoner of Hope.
Paul and Silas understood that they were already prisoners of hope, even before they were put in jail. That’s why that began to sing praises. They were doing what they always did! Prisoners of hope never stop seeing the best. Prisoners of hope cannot be bound by prisons of this world or captive circumstances created by people.
Acts 16:24-26 (New King James Version)24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.
Prisoners of hope are believers in Jesus who recognize the limitation in their circumstances, but refuse to be limited in their expectations and actions. We have faith in a God who can do anything.
Too many people look at their circumstances and make the decision that they can do no more, or become no more than what they see. Like Jeremiah, those persons have to learn to “See well.”

The Leverage of Legacy

Joshua 4:1 And it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over the Jordan, that the Lord spoke to Joshua, saying: 2 “Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from every tribe, 3 and command them, saying, ‘Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood firm. You shall carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging place where you lodge tonight.’ ”
Let’s think about LEGACY as something handed down from an ancestor or predecessor. We also think of legacy as something provided to work with and build on.
A legacy can be considered something obsolete (as in legacy software). A legacy can be considered something precious as an inheritance or benefits in life.
It is our responsibility to identify the value of legacy, live the lessons, and build the future on it. That creates our leverage. The alternative is starting from scratch without resources. The leverage of legacy is carried forward by learning and teaching others how to love and serve God by remembering all He and others have done.

Inheritance: Blessings For Today

Galatians 4:1 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
In a world where people don't know who they are or what they have, in Christ you already have an inheritance.
In the ancient world the process of growing up was much more definite than it is today.
A) In the Jewish world, on the first Sabbath after a boy had passed his twelfth birthday, his father took him to the Synagogue, where he became A Son of the Law. The father thereupon uttered a benediction, "Blessed be thou, O God, who has taken from me the responsibility for this boy." The boy prayed a prayer in which he said, "O my God and God of my fathers! On this solemn and sacred day, which marks my passage from boyhood to manhood, I humbly raise my eyes unto you, and declare with sincerity and truth, that henceforth I will keep your commandments, and undertake and bear the responsibility of my actions towards you." There was a clear dividing line in the boy's life; almost overnight he became a man.
B) Under Roman law the year at which a boy grew up, between the ages of fourteen and seventeen a family festival was held called the Liberalia. He took off a toga worn by children and put on a toga worn by adults. He was then conducted by his friends and family down to the forum and formally introduced to public life
We live in a culture that is often disconnected from concepts of inheritance, family, and the sense of Kingdom. I didn’t appreciate a lot of these principles until later in life. We’ve seen examples of it, from both bad and good examples.
As the text states, an heir, as long as he a child, does not differ AT ALL from a slave, though he is master of all. He might be the owner of vast property but he could take no legal decision; he was not in control of his own life; everything was done and directed for him.When he became a man he entered into his full inheritance.
Inheritance was not something one generation could receive after the death of the previous generation. It was inter-generational transfer during life.
 
What keeps people from knowing who they are? As “children” (immature) we were bound to the “elements of the world.”
Elements of the world to a Jew meant the Law, which was elementary knowledge. In the world, there was astrology, in which one believed his fate was determined by the stars and gods (small G). One of the reasons so called Christians justified the slave trade is that they believe Africans were people destined to serve others under forced labor.
Elements of the world represents things not under the direction of God in Christ.
What is the solution? “See Well! What God Perform!”
Ephesians 1:16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality[g] and [h]power and [i]might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come
When you look at the Bible, it's like the entire concept is about inheritance, what we have received from God, from our fathers, and what we provide to others.
Our culture in our part of the world is more concerned about getting our own without considering our larger purpose and legacy. Inheritance is actually less about money and about purpose.
Part of the blessing we have in making plans and fulfilling purpose is that we create inheritance and opportunity for others.
Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.’
 

See Well. Watch God Perform!

Matthew 6:22 (NLT) Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light.
Welcome to the year of our Lord 2020 AD and to a new decade. Remember that Jesus changed time. 2020 is two thousand Twenty years since Christ came. “Anno Domini nostri Jesu Christi", which translates to "in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ”. Dates counted down BC, before Christ. Now we count up.
Today, the Lord wants us to be inspired, informed, and renewed in hope. On New Year’s Eve, we heard from our ministers about the significance of Jesus’ words, “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light.” Each one shared from the same Scripture and bought a wealth of insights. This shows the depth and power of God’s Word. 
I want you to renew your commitment to the Word of God today. There is nothing else you are reading, watching on TV, or looking on your phone, that is more relevant to your life. As Jesus in Matthew 4:4, “People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (NLT)
David said in Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” There are many Bible reading plans. Biblegateway .com is a good one. If you have Alexa, you can set it to read the Bible to you everyday. 
What makes your eye healthy is paying attention to the right things. What you need is information, insight, and inspiration.
What are three things you need to pay less attention to?
Part of our vision for this year is, “See well. Watch God Perform!” We are going to learn from the life of Jeremiah, specifically from an encounter he had with the Lord as described in Chapter One. When you read Scripture, you first want to understand the context of the text, what it means in the time it was written. After that, we look for application to our lives and purpose today. 

A Place Called Forward

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. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14]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. 16] But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.
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 a place that stretches your faith and exercises your prayer life. Forward is the place and the direction the vision takes you.
F.O.R.W.A.R.D. is...
F Follow instructions. Face your God given responsibilities. Stop complaining and do something! Carry your weight. Be an effective part of the body of Christ. 
O - Open your heart to God. Turn to Him and not to fear. “Do not be afraid. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.” Love people enough to touch them (for ways to touch)
R - Remember your covenants with family, leaders, and brothers and sisters in Christ. “Remember” is a covenant word. Remember the people that helped moved you forward. Thank God for the circumstances that moved you forward, even though that did not appear to be the case at the time.
W - Walk by faith, not by sight. Don’t trust your feelings or your carnal mind. Only through prayer will you be sensitive to what God is doing and saying. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Activate spiritual principles.
A - Act on the Word. Act on spiritual principles. Be doers of the Word, so you won’t deceive yourself. (James 1:22, But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.) Mrs. Lot deceived herself. Be faithful, supportive, and obedient. 
R - Roll with the punches, and then punch back
D - Dream big and get to Work! Work on and invest into your dreams.

My Story for His Glory - The Purpose of Your Testimony

Luke 8:38 Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.
This is a dramatic story. Many of us have heard that story many times. The most impactful part of the story is when Jesus told the man to go back home and tell what great things Jesus has done for him. It is easy to focus on the tragic part of stories, but it is more helpful to others to share what God has done to bring you out.
Your testimony is your story to God's glory. What God has done for you is the greatest evidence of his presence and power. There is nothing anyone can say to contradict an authentic experience with the Lord. As we say, “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.”
Your testimony is the story of God's glory and grace in your life!
A testimony is the statement of your faith in God.
A testimony is an explanation of what Jesus has done for you.
A testimony represents your chosen lifestyle, not only what circumstances have forced upon you.
A testimony encompasses your purpose and predicts your future actions
Your testimony of faith and expectation also completes the circle of your prayers, even before you see the answer.
Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. 
When we obey God and do those things he wants us to do, God both recognizes our actions and testifies of our gifts. It is as if God tells the host of heaven about the good things that we have done. It's just like parents who want to talk about the accomplishments of the children, or teachers that share the good work of their students, or employers who boast to others about their best employees.

Thanks-Giving is a Lifestyle, Part 4 - Abounding With Thanksgiving

Colossians 2:6, As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 
Giving thanks is not some kind of a pep rally. Giving thanks is a real life way to handle difficulties. Stop and think of times when you have felt overwhelmed by problems and difficulties. If you can remember, those seasons lacked a time of deep thanks giving to God. There's absolutely no way to successfully handle problems without the balance of rejoicing and giving thanks to God which releases his grace into the situation.
Rooted and Built up
Just as the great tree is deep-rooted in the soil and draws its nourishment from like giant Sequoia redwood survive fires. it , so the Christian is rooted in Christ, the source of his life and strength. Just as the house stands fast because it is built on strong foundations, so  the Christian life is resistant to any storm 
Thanksgiving keeps your heart clear of darkness
Romans 1:21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Again, Thanksgiving is a lifestyle. It is a way of living and thinking. Giving thanks to God actually keeps our heart clear and our minds positive,
The apostle Paul ministered in person and by letter with a mixture call reality, encouragement, instruction, and Thanksgiving. He also talked about something that's going to sound a bit unusual but I wanted to get a hold of this. One of the characteristics of believers who are active in the kingdom and making a kingdom impact is appreciating the significance of something that the Bible calls mystery.
In our culture, the word mystery is a genre of style. The mystery genre is a type of fiction in which a detective, or other professional, solves a crime or series of crimes. We sometimes call it “who-done-it.’
Colossians 2:2, For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
1 Corinthians 2:7, But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,
What is the mystery of God? Why would treasures of wisdom and knowledge be hidden?
A mystery is something perfectly plain to the person who has ears to hear, but is completely hidden to the person who doesn’t care and will not focus.
Ephesians 1:9-10 (NIV) He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
Paul then tells us the reason why God reveals truth to us in a mystery.
God wants the things He shows you to be more important, more impactful and more enduring there anything else you ever hear or learn.
Colossians 2:4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. 5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.  9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

Thanks-Giving is a Lifestyle, Part 3 - Triumph, Always

2 Corinthians 2:12, Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, 13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia. 14 Now thanks be unto God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ, and makes manifest the fragrance of his knowledge by us in every place.

Thanks-Giving is a Lifestyle Part 2 - Rescued & Transferred

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Paul’s prayer
Colossians 1:9 (NLT) So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. 11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, 12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. 13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
Anytime you see the expression of being thankful it is not there as a filler word, it is there for a very specific purpose. Giving thanks is in the central part of any prayer because Thanksgiving opens you to something greater.
You remember that the first mention of Thanksgiving was connected to something called a peace offering. The peace offering was a free will offering unlike any other offering for Israel back in that day of law, requirements and mandates.
You will remember that we said, Thanksgiving comes from peace and peace leads to thanksgiving.
Giving thanks opens your heart and mind to God and to his supply quicker than anything else. The text says the word thanking God who has enabled us to partake of an inheritance in the light. Stop and think about that: we actually have access to something that God has provided to us. Giving thanks is like a key or combination to open the door.
RESCUED
Have you ever faced a danger, such as a near miss while driving, or some other situation that could've ended badly? What's the first thing you said? You said thank you!
We are all escapees! We are like escaped slaves! We been delivered! We got out! We made it over!Think for a moment what your life would be today without Jesus Christ, without the family he gave you, without the church and Teachers he gave you.
Jesus literally purchased our freedom and forgive us our sins. Where would we be without Jesus and his church?
The great Mahalia Jackson performed a songHow I Got Over
How I got overHow did I make it over?You know my soul look back and wonderHow did I make it over?
Tell me how we got over, LordHad a mighty hard time coming on overYou know my soul look back and wonderHow did we make it over?
Tell me how we got over, LordI've been falling and rising all these yearsBut you know my soul look back and wonderHow did I make it over?
But, soon as I can see JesusThe man that died for meMan that bled and sufferedAnd he hung on Calvary
And I want to thank him for how he brought meAnd I want to thank God for how he taught meOh, thank my God how he kept meI'm gonna thank him cause he never left me
TRANSFERRED
Have you ever had experience of experiencing a transfer to something better or an upgrade?One of the best things when you travel away from home is to be booked into one hotel room and get upgraded to a better room.
When I travel to Raleigh North Carolina last month to be a part of the 20th ministry anniversary of Pastor Williams I checked into a new Hampton hotel. I came early so I room wasn't ready for me, but because I was a Hilton rewards member, the lady gave me a king suite. I walked in there put my bag down a big smile came on my face! I received a transfer! I didn't deserve it, I could've done without it, but I received it anyway! There is no better transfer than your heart and mind to be moved out of the realm of worry, fear, anxiety, and all the limitations connected with this world the kingdom. To be transferred into the kingdom of the son of God's love is an incredible reality!
New king James version says, 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
Not only have you been transferred into a kingdom, you've been transferred into the Kingdom of God in Jesus Christ, who is the Son of his love!
There are four keys to this transfer
It is a transference from darkness to light. Without God men grope and stumble as if walking in the dark. They know not what to do; they know not where they are going. God has given us a light by which to live and by which to die.
It is a transference from slavery to freedom. In Jesus Christ there is liberation.
It is a transference from condemnation to forgiveness. He knows now that he is no longer a condemned criminal at God's judgment seat, but a lost son for whom the way home is always open.
It is a transference from the power of Satan to the power of God. Through Jesus Christ man is liberated from the grip of Satan and is able to become a citizen of the Kingdom of God. Transferred into the Kingdom of the Son of his love. Redeemed by the blood and forgiven of all sins
Psalm 89:15 Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance. 16 In Your name they rejoice all day long, And in Your righteousness they are exalted.

Thanks-Giving is a Lifestyle, Part 1: The Peace Offering

1 Thessalonians 5:18, In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Romans 15:4, For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
First reference in the Bible to giving thanks or thanks-giving is Lev. 7:11-14
Leviticus 7:11 ‘This is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings which he shall  (or “may offer”) offer to the Lord: 
(NIV- “‘These are the regulations for the fellowship offering anyone may present to the LORD:)
12 If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer, with the sacrifice of thanksgiving, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, unleavened wafers anointed with oil, or cakes of blended flour mixed with oil. 13 Besides the cakes, as his offering he shall offer leavened bread with the sacrifice of thanksgiving of his peace offering. 14 And from it he shall offer one cake from each offering as a heave offering to the Lord. It shall belong to the priest who sprinkles the blood of the peace offering. 
This first mention of giving thanks was connected with a special offering called “the peace offering” also called the “fellowship offering.”
The peace offering was different that other offerings which were mandated for reasons of sins committed, dedication, or ritual purposes. The peace offering could be a spontaneous offering connected to nothing more than wanting to thank the Lord for his goodness! 
When we think of the OT, we think about the law, regulations, mandates, and consequences for disobedience. However, grace was present in the OT because God is always a God of grace for people who can see it and receive it.
Because many believers operate in either indifference or legalism, they miss the joy of worshipping, giving, and serving simply out of love for God - without a sense of obligation! As important as it is to give tithes and offerings, we don’t do it out of obligation, we do it out of love and appreciation for God, for His church, and all the things of God.
Worship as an offering was one of the promised benefits of the New Covenant. For New Covenant believers, every offering should be a peace offering!
Hebrews 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.