Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

Lessons from Lemonade: How Trouble Becomes Triumph

Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 5:17-19)
Always serve God, even when doing so brings difficulty, like sour lemons. Through the power of Jesus Christ, you can bring the water of the word and sweetness of the Holy Spirit to every bitter circumstance. This will produce something good, from something bad, like refreshing lemonade. Then, you will be able to sip and rejoice as God shows you, and others, his love, power, mercy and favor.

Jesus’ Resurrection: Power for Daily Life

Phil 3:8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! [In daily life]

Hosanna: What to do When Your King Comes In

“Hosanna: What to do When Your King Comes In.”
John 12:12 The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: “Hosanna! ‘ Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ The King of Israel!” 
King Jesus rides on the faith of givers and worshippers.  When we want Jesus to enter our lives and circumstances, we must be prepared to follow His instructions, demonstrate our faith, and worship from our heart and with our substance. Jesus looks for faith, since it is the environment of blessing and miracles. Jesus looks to see if people will honor father God, who is always looking for true worshippers who worship in Spirit and in Truth.
We call this "Palm Sunday" because of the palm branches that were broken off and both waved and laid before Jesus (John 12:13).  This was a genuine expression of honor for Jesus and father God at that time. However, the real sacrifice came from the man whose donkey was borrowed and those who laid their clothes on the donkey and on the ground to receive Jesus. 
The fact that we focus on the palm branches is an interesting commentary on the level of our faith and personal worship. Waving palms is an appropriate celebration, but being true worshipper requires much more. The donkey owner showed the greatest honor and was part of God’s prophetic plan!
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9
We have the privilege and ability to offer God much more than palm branches. We are giving honor to our King and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ!

Great Grace | Part One, "Grow in Grace

Great Grace
Pt. One, Grow in Grace
2 Peter 3:18, But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Grace is more than undeserved favor. Grace is everything God has that He makes available to us through Jesus Christ. Grace is God’s operational power.
The grace of God cannot under any circumstances be separated from Jesus. “Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
John 1:17, For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Galatians 2:21, I do not set aside [frustrate] the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

Hope in 3D: Expectation. Desire. Purpose. Part Two | Compose Your Hope

Hope is designed to extend your vision and expand your boundaries. 
Hope can be like photo composition. When you compose a photo, you look for interesting and impactful elements in your field of view. For the life you already live, there are new, good things to find,
Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
1 Corinthians 15:19, If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
Romans 12:12  Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Hope in 3D: Expectation. Desire. Purpose.

Romans 15:5 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. 6 Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 13 I pray that God, THE SOURCE OF HOPE, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Excellence of Jacob

(Download PDF of Notes)“Jacob I have loved, Esau I have hated...” (Mal. 1:1-3) “He will choose our inheritance for us, The excellence of Jacob whom He loves. Selah.” (Psa. 47:4) “The Lord will restore the excellence of Jacob.” (Nah. 2:2)

Fit for the Kingdom: Looking Forward...Not Looking Back

(Download PDF of notes) Luke 9:62, But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Exodus 14:14, “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.”

Free Indeed! | Part Three: Free to Share

Download Notes for This MessagePART THREE - FREE TO SHAREMatthew 14:14, And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. 15] When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food." 16] But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." Philippians. 4:14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.

Free Indeed! | Part Two: Free to Stand

[Watch exhortation on "Stand" by Stacy Holmes]John 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” ...36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.