Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

Release The Greater One Within You

Release the Greater One Within You
(Audio clip from "Troy" movie. @2004 Warner Brothers Pictures)
1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them.
Philemon1:4 I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, 5 hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, 6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. 7 For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.
The greater one within you is your new creation nature in Christ. He is the “greater” one who is greater and more powerful than the world! Realizing “every good thing” inside of you is a key to effective faith.
Paul knew he could count on Philemon. More than almost everything else, we want God and people to have confidence in us.
Philemon1:21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 
Who is “Them” in John 4:4? 
In explaining the ways of God, John often contrasted the concept of the world and God. The world, as we have seen before, is human nature apart from, and in opposition to, God. 
The man whose source is God will welcome the truth; the man whose source is the world will reject it.
How can a man whose motivation is competition even begin to understand an whose motivation  is service? 
A man can hear only what he has fitted himself to hear and he can utterly unfit himself to hear the Christian message.
Paul’s greater one was awakened
Philippians 4:12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
 
Three perspectives to unleash the greater one within you: 
1. Confidence in God. 
2. A strong sense of purpose. 
3. A made up mind.
Unleashing the greater one requires resolving inward conflicts. This is essential for your progress. Paul described his inner conflict shared his resolution. Your deliverance is in your decision.
In the Bible the word “law” has one of three meanings: 1) The Law of Moses: 10 commandments and do’s and don’ts. 2) A principles or reality like the “law of gravity” 3) Grace empower word of God (“law of God”).
Romans 7:14 For we know that the law [of Moses] is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law [of Moses] that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 21 I find then a law [principle], that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law [principle] in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin [principle] which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
You can have confidence without arrogance
Arrogance: Having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities. Behaving as if you are better or more important than other people
“I can do all things....”
Confidence: Belief in one's God-given ability to succeed. 
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Arrogance undermines confidence because it is not based on God’s ability, but in our ability alone. Self-righteousness is arrogance. Arrogance does not unleash the giant. It unleashes a little guy with a big head.

True Worship in Spirit & Truth: Understanding Tithes & Offerings

John 4:23 "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24] God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
Deuteronomy 26:9 He has brought us to this place and has given us this land, "a land flowing with milk and honey"; 10] and now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land which you, O LORD, have given me.' Then you shall set it before the LORD your God, and worship before the LORD your God. 11] So you shall rejoice in every good thing which the LORD your God has given to you and your house.
A. Worship is an all encompassing, all inclusive experience. It is both spiritual and physical; temporal and eternal. It involves the total person, spirit, soul, body and even our possessions.
We must challenge ourselves to worship God in fullness and in the release of everything to Him. 
It is human nature to worship according to our own preferences and pleasures—like the Samaritan woman. However, the problem with such worship is that it is unbalanced and conveniently neglects that part of worship which is undesirable. 
God requires that we worship Him at two levels at all times: “In Spirit” and “In Truth.” 
“In Spirit” addresses the supernatural dimension of our walk with God and the transcendent nature of His presence 
“In Truth” addresses the practical, everyday actions we engage in obedience to the Truth. Jesus said, “Your Word is Truth.” 
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service (“your act of spiritual worship” -NIV). 
The Worship / Stewardship Connection
B. True worship involves the presenting of our tithes and offerings to God. We often treat offerings as an intrusion into the service. In reality, it is integral to our worship experience.
1. In giving of our tithes and offerings, we engage in a sacrificial act that shows our submission to God’s order.
The bringing of tithes and offerings has always been a part of the worship experience of God’s people. 
When we worship “In truth” then will we bring God our bodies and our substance. 
The fact that we pay tithes and give offerings is the proof of his submission to God. 
When the “Majii” or “wise men” came to worship Jesus after his birth, they brought sacrificial gifts. It would not have been true worship if they brought nothing. 
Remember, that if you have nothing to give, He accepts your willingness as an offering. 
Worship is a sacrifice. Every true sacrifice is costly and often uncomfortable. 
Worshipping God with the tithe and offering was established before the Law as the indication of Abram’s recognition of God’s provision. Genesis 14:18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. 19] And he blessed him and said: "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20] And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." And he gave him a tithe of all.”

Jesus Resurrection Grace & Light: This Changed Everything!

Colossians 3:1, If you then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Jesus resurrection changed everything. All of us have heard about the resurrection of Christ, but I wonder If we appreciate how powerful, pervasive, and precious it actually is. Sometimes, we become more fully aware of greater things in life. Let me share some examples and illustrate the scope and power of Jesus resurrection with an parable from the science of light.
 

Gifts of Grace: Your Design and Destiny: Part 4, "How to Stay Encouraged"

Joshua 1:9, Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Isaiah 40:31 But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Encouragement inspires hope. Hope in the Lord renews strength. Strength causes you to soar, run, and walk victoriously.

Gifts of Grace: Your Design and Destiny: Part 3, "Embrace Your Gifting"

"But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift." ~ Ephesians 4:7 
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God... 1 Peter 4:10
Romans 12:6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Prophesy - Speak for the will and purpose of God
Serving - Helping others without expectation of payment or praise
Teaching - Training and empowering poeple through instruction
Encouraging & Exhorting - Lifting the hearts and minds of others. Imparting hope and courage
Giving - Supplying needs and resourcing God’s purposes
Leading - Casting vision, showing the way forward, sustaining purpose
Showing Mercy & Kindness - Helping people recover from mistakes, shame, and trouble.

Gifts of Grace: Your Design & Destiny, Part 2 "How to Use What You Have"

"But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift." ~ Ephesians 4:7 
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God... 1 Peter 4:10
“To be what we are, and to become what we are capable of becoming, is the only end of life.” ~ Robert Louis Stevenson
Creativity or talent, like electricity, is something I don't understand but something I'm able to harness and use. ~Maya Angelou

Gifts of Grace: Your Design & Destiny, Part 1

"But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift." ~ Ephesians 4:7
Ephesians 4:7 Amplified Bible 7 Yet grace [God’s undeserved favor] was given to each one of us [not indiscriminately, but in different ways] in proportion to the measure of Christ’s [rich and abundant] gift.
John 1:16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Design defined: Design is the creation of a plan or convention for the construction of an object, system or measurable human interaction (as in architectural blueprints, engineering drawings, business processes, circuit diagrams, and sewing patterns).
The art or action of conceiving of and producing a plan or drawing of something before it is made.
Grace = God’s ability
Measure = How much God gives
Gift = What God gives
Watch music video: "We Shall Overcome: A Jazz Tribute to Black History. https://vimeo.com/257068202
 

Preparing Your Heart & Life for Increase, Part 6 | The Parable of the Householder: The Power of Balance

Matt: 13:52 (NLT) Then he added, “Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old.” 53 When Jesus had finished telling these stories and illustrations, he left that part of the country. 54 He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was amazed and said, “Where does he get this wisdom and the power to do miracles?” 55 Then they scoffed, “He’s just the carpenter’s son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers—James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. 56 All his sisters live right here among us. Where did he learn all these things?” 57 And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family.” 58 And so he did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief.

Preparing Your Heart & Life for Increase, Part 5 | Parable of Dragnet: Power of Discernment

Matt. 13:47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, 48 which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, 50 and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth
We are fishers of men, but sometimes we get bad fish. 
His own ministry illustrated this point: many who followed him for a time did not truly believe in him  (John 2:23-24), and one of his own disciples was in fact an agent of Satan who betrayed him (John 13:2, 27). 
The kingdom of God is exclusive
Luke 17:20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” 22 Then He said to the disciples, “The days will come when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it.
The kingdom of heaven is inclusive
Matt. 13:47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind

Preparing Your Heart & Life for Increase

Open Doors for You
Part One, Preparing Your Heart and Life for Increase
Revelation 3 “The Faithful Church
7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:[c] 8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
 Jesus spoke a parable describing the conditions of the people’s hearts in relation to God’s word, or the seed. How you handle the seed of God’s is the most important thing that you handle.
1. The Sower and the Soils (13:1-9) - The Power of Conditions 
2. The Tares (13:24-30)  - The Power of Challenge 3. The Mustard Seed (13:31-32) - The Power of Potential 4. The Leaven (13:33) - The Power of Mystery 5. The Hidden Treasure (13:44) The Power of Value 6. The Costly Pearl (13:45-46) The Power of Priority 7. The Dragnet (13:47-50) - The Power of Judgment 8. The Householder (13:52) - The Power of Balance
Matthew 13:1 On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. 2 And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. 3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. 8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”