Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

Good Stewards: God's Most Blessed People

Good Stewards: God’s Most Blessed People
1 Corinthians 4:1-2, Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 
“...He that waters shall be watered also himself.” (Proverbs 11:15) 
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.” (Proverbs 19:17) 
“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.” (Philippians 1:6) 
“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38). 
Independence in the spiritual context: The USA declaration of Independence was an expression of the founders to be free from the oppression of the King of England. It was also a statement of responsibility to one another and to a new nation.
Let’s talk about Financial Freedom because free indeed must also include freedom from debt. The Bible says the “borrower is servant to the lender.” People who are free indeed should also be free from debt. 
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 are stewards, not owners.
Everything we have is a gift from God. We have a tendency to act like we “earned” things, but that’s not the truth. Without the time, talents and providence of God, we wouldn’t have anything! 
1 Corinthians 4:1-2, Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 
Everything belongs to God. He simply allows us the great privilege of caring for it. And one of the best ways we can do that is to not be wasteful. 
In John 6:12, after Jesus fed the multitude, He told the people, “Gather up now the fragments (the broken pieces left over) so that nothing may be lost or wasted.” 
(Joyce Meyer) Jesus could have simply done another miracle to provide for the cleanup after his miraculous meal, but instead he taught people about the importance of making the most out of what God has provided. 
We have freedom to give and let God multiply what we give. 
Luke 6:38, Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you

Doing Good. Helping & Healing. Looking Forward.

Doing Good: Helping & Healing
Looking Forward...Not Looking Back
Pastor Bryan Hudson | www.BryanHudson.com
Luke 9:59 Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.” 61 And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” 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.”
Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.  36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all— 37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 
Luke 17:32 Remember Lot’s wife. 33 Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.
Many times the Lord deals with me in words and phrases: Last week those words were “Doing Good,” “Innovate,” “Look forward,” and  “Don’t look back.”
innovate defined: Make changes in something established, especially by introducing new methods, ideas, or products. Synonyms: Cutting-edge, leading-edge, progressive, radical, state-of-the-art
Exodus 14:14, “The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." And the LORD said to Moses, "Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.”
 

Mail Men: Men That Deliver.

Mail Men: Men That Deliver.
God has designed and destined men to serve, bless, empower, and get things done through His grace.  
A long time ago God said in the book of Ezekiel 22:30,  “I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land ….”  
I believe He is saying the same thing until this day. Today we have the advantage of Jesus Christ empowering us with the Gospel! We are also blessed to provide a positive example for all people: 1 Corinthians 16:13 (ESV), Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

Delight in the Lord: Receive the Desires of Your Heart

Psalm 37:3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.
“He shall bring IT to pass..” What is “it.” It is whatever you need or want.
Delight is a simple word with profound significance. This word is profound because delight reflects our desire, disposition, and direction. The word is a verb as an action word. It is a noun as a thing. It is an adjective when used as delightful.
Delight definition: Take pleasure in, desire, incline to; to bend; favor, be (well) pleased, have pleasure,
To “delight” is to incline or bend ourselves towards the objects of our desire and sources of our pleasure. Most of our pain or satisfaction in life comes from what we desire and how we are bent. Most importantly, the direction of our bent or delight determines our success in achieving the desires of our hearts.
A lot of people live in frustration for misunderstanding this principle. The Word of God provides guidance in how to delight in life.
Look again at the text:
Psalm 37:3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.
Look at the action words:
Trust (in the Lord), Do (good), Dwell (in the land), Feed (on His faithfulness), Delight (yourself in the Lord), Commit (Your way to the Lord), Trust (in Him)
The key promise in that text is, “Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.”

Fight the Good Fight of Faith: Ready When Your Goliath Shows Up

Fight the Good Fight of Faith: Ready When Goliath Shows Up
1 Tim. 6:11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses
2 Cor. 2:14, 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
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
Sometimes you want to win because of who is watching. And this not because of selfish pride, but you want to win because that’s your purpose and others need you to win. That is the value of living in the light and letting people see your good works. 
We don't fight the good fight of faith to win. We fight the good fight because we have already won. That's why it is a GOOD fight! We fight a good fight because in Jesus Christ, WE WIN! 
Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith

The Bread of Life: From "Gimme" to "Grow Me"

The Bread of Life: From "Gimme" to "Grow Me"
John 6:24 when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. 25 And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You come here?” 26 Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”

Nature vs. Nurture: Living by Promise

Nature or Nurture? Living by Promise
Prov 22:6, Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
Prov. 1: 8 My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother
Gal. 4:22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, 24 which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— 25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children— 26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all...28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 29 But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.
For all of my life I have heard the debate about Nature vs. Nurture.  It is the scientific, cultural, and philosophical debate about whether human potential behavior, and personality are caused primarily by nature or nurture. Nature is often defined in this debate as genetic or hormone-based behaviors, while nurture is most commonly defined as environment and experience.
Children need nurture. Nurture means: care, provide conditions for growth, feed, train, develop, cultivate, monitor environmental conditions.
As a person raised by loving parents and from positive experiences growing up, the answer seems obvious to me; Nurture. However, the weight of modern culture and those who wish to exclude God from life and human development insist it is mostly about Nature. This view also supports the theory of human evolution and provide covers for behaviors such as homosexuality, bisexuality, anger, Illness, and even husbands who cheat on their wives. Many want to believe that all human behavior is genetic in origin.
In 2001, something happened in the realm of science that set back the growing consensus that behavior is mostly genetic. An article published by NOVA of the Public Broadcasting System:
“The most shocking surprise that emerged from the full sequence of the human genome earlier this year is that we are the proud owners of a paltry 30,000 genes—barely twice the number of a fruit fly. 
After a decade of hype surrounding the Human Genome Project, punctuated at regular intervals by gaudy headlines proclaiming the discovery of genes for killer diseases and complex traits, this unexpected result led some journalists to a stunning conclusion. The seesaw struggle between our genes (nature) and the environment (nurture) had swung sharply in favor of nurture. "We simply do not have enough genes for this idea of biological determinism to be right," asserted Craig Venter, president of Celera Genomics, one of the two teams that cracked the human genome last February.”
 
I believe our text somewhat illustrates this dilemma to day. People are obviously born of “flesh,” but we are can also born of “promise” through Christ. 
Nurture is far more powerful in human development than nature. Of course we understand that the spiritual sin nature is a barrier to progress. My experience growing up in the inner city and around poverty was that my parents nurtured abilities in me that my environment would have allowed to languish. 
We should nurture children and not allow nature to become an excuse, because Jesus can change the nature... and that people can do much better even before their nature changes. This is what mothers and parents do.
People who promote the nature argument, a lot of behavior is excused. Worse, is that people give up on people who are viewed as genetically challenged or inferior...without actually saying the words.
I think people wrongly conclude that nature (i.e. born into the "right" family, neighborhood, going to “right” schools, etc) is the key to progress and excellence. This is basis for gated communities and private schools.
I still hear people attribute the things I do to "talent" or nature. I remind people that I'm an expert on me! What I do is mostly because of nurture, and much less because of a nature I possess that cannot be possessed by anyone else.
In other words, the dramatic difference is made by the nurture of others not by nature, over which we have no control. This is obvious to people like us, but I think it's less obvious to many believers.
What mother’s do (make your own list)
M aking sacrifices
O pening hearts and minds
T eaching about life
H eloping at all times
E mpowering & encouraging
R equiring your best
Children need nurture growing up. Nurture means: care, provide conditions for growth, feed, train, develop, cultivate, monitor environmental conditions.
Matthew 19:13 Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.
Keys to Birthing & Nurturing Your Purpose. We live by promise, not by our impulses and human nature
Gal 4: 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, 24 which things are symbolic 
Don’t “birth” things outside of God’s plan. Avoid actions not rooted in faith in God. 
If you have given birth to things that hinder you, ask God to help you separate from those things. “Cast out the bondwoman and her son.” 
Go for maximum freedom and blessings. Let God birth and nurture purpose in you: Gal 4:26, but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all...28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 
P.R.A.Y. Pray, Read, Act, Yield
We do not lack purpose in the heart in God. We were created in God's image and likeness. That statement carries the full creative purpose of God. Have you thought "Why was I born?" The better question to ask is "Why did God create me in His image and likeness." 
Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” 4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
 

The Brightness of Your Rising

Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. 2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, Andy  deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. 3 The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.
Matthew 5:15-17New King James Version (NKJV) 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
When we arise and shine, people in darkness, people in trouble, and people who lack direction will come to our light, and to the brightness of your rising. This text describes the result of God’s people rising, shining, and allowing the light and glory of God to shine on us.

A Mantle Made for You

A Mantle Made for You
John 1:14: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth....16, For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 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. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
In my early educational life I used to dread taking a test. In my later life I began to appreciate the importance of a test or exam. 
A test does at least three beneficial things:  
It gives us an incentive and reason to learn and prepare 
Taking and passing the test verifies that we have entered into a new level of knowledge and understanding. 
Greater empowerment follows a successful test and new opportunities follow 
The principle is this: You become what you learn and greater skill takes you to go to greater places. 
When the Bible talks about going from grace to grace, increasing in every way is part of what it means. God designed us to grow and to develop, and to bear fruit. Make no mistake, God designed you to be successful, but that success comes at the price of process. 
God cares so much for us because of the price Jesus paid to redeem us, or buy us back from this world and form our sinful nature.
1 Peter 1:18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot....21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
Barclay: “The result of this rebirth is that the man who is reborn becomes the first fruits of a new creation (Jas. 1:18). It lifts him out of this world of space and time, of change and decay, of sin and defeat, and brings him here and now into touch with eternity and eternal life. 
Our new life and all the new things that come are because of Jesus’ resurrection. This is our LIVING HOPE!
 

Know Jesus. Know the Power of His Resurrection.

Phil. 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.
Ephesians 1:19 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 and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
Jesus' resurrection is not only a past event, but a present power! That's why we say, "He IS risen," not he WAS risen. 
Rom 8:11, And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.