Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

"How to See Better & Live Better" - Pt. 5 "Set on a Firm Foundation"

Because ofour faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilegewhere we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharingGod’s glory." ~ Romans 5:2 (NLT)
2 Thessalonians3:3, Yet the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and set you on afirm foundation... Amplified
What is "thisplace" for you? How is it connected to the firm foundation?
We have beenblessed with many places of underserved privilege. I think my place first andforemost, as a child of God in the place of salvation in the kingdom of God. Ithink about my place as a father and husband. I also have been brought into aplace of Gospel Ministry and as a pastor, where I have served for 34 years. Ialso have places of being a spiritual father, mentor, media consultant tochurches, and college professor.
What are yourplaces? How well do you stand in those places? Are you strongly connected tothe firm foundation?
The foundationon which we stand was not built by us, but every generation becomes responsibleto keep honor it and keep it strong. There are many foundations such as:  Faith, Family, Fathers, Finance,Freedom,
The ApostlePaul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:9, 9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you areGod’s field, you are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which wasgiven to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and anotherbuilds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For noother foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

"How to See Better & Live Better" - Pt. 4 "Complete, Not Incomplete"

See Better and Live Better
Part 4, Complete, Not Incomplete
Romans 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established— 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 
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
Sometimes we use poor examples from life to describe our lives. A jigsaw puzzle seems like a good example where in we see ourselves as incomplete persons going through life looking for our missing parts. In Christ, you are "complete." Your are NOTHING LIKE a jigsaw puzzle!
You might say, "I'm missing some things I need." You are only missing what you have not discovered. You have it, you just haven't seen it. If there is something needed, God will impart in connection with His purpose for your life.
The fullness of the Godhead dwells in Jesus AND you are complete in Him.

"How to See Better & Live Better" - Pt. 3 "See God Bigger"

The bigger you see God, the more He can do for you and the more you can do for Him. 
Amos 4:13 He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and who reveals his thoughts to mankind, who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth-- the LORD God Almighty is his name.
When you have seen the greatness of God you will not be as impressed by lesser things.
The devil tried to impressed Jesus and gain his attention and loyalty. It didn’t work!
Luke 4:5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.” 
8 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan!For t is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve 
God develops both transcendent and immanent aspects of His nature. The transcendent nature is not like people and infinitely above people. The immanent nature is intimately present with people and among people. God’s transcendence places Him beyond the limits of time and space. His nature as uncreated and separate from His creation is a fundamental concept distinguishing a biblical understanding of God from other philosophical or religious theories, such as pantheism or monism.” (Faithlife Study Bible)
We use a lot of big words when we talk about God. 
Omnipotent. Omnipresent. Omniscient. He is all-powerful, all-present, and all knowing 

"How to See Better & Live Better" - Pt. 2, Change Your Perspective

"How to See Better & Live Better" - Pt. 2, Change Your Perspective
Trouble can be a opportunity for greater focus 
2 Cor 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Psychologists did a study of elite athletes who were struck with injury or adversity. They initially felt isolated and developed doubts about their abilities. In the time, they gained a desire to help others and realize greater strengths in themselves. It called "adversarial growth" or "post traumatic growth." We say, "That which does not kill me makes me stronger." 
The struggle against an obstacle propels a fighter to a new level of functioning. After Simone Biles almost fell off the balance beam, she came back the next day and earned an almost perfect score.
Action is commonplace, correct action is not commonplace. Everything must be done in the service of the greater purpose.  In life, it doesn’t matter what happens to you or where you came from. It matters what you do with what happens and what you’ve been given. And the only way you’ll do something spectacular is by using it all to your advantage. (Ryan Holiday)
Through good perspective, we can always greet our obstacles:
with energy with persistence
with a coherent and deliberate process
with iteration and resilience (Like Thomas Edison finding better filament for light bulb)
and an eye for opportunity and pivotal moments
What seems to be failure is just “feedback” giving you precise instructions on how to improve (Ryan Holiday)
God offers you higher thoughts and higher ways to help change your perspective
 ”Isa 55:8-9: "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts

"How to See Better & Live Better" - Pt. 1, The Power of Healthy Perception

How to See Better & Live Better
Pt 1 The Power of Good Eyes
“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" – Matthew 6:23-24
How we see or perceive is one of the important keys to victorious living, success, and fruitful ministry. 
"Perception is how we see and understand what occurs around us—and what we decide those events will mean. Our perceptions can be a source of strength or of great weakness. Faulty perceptions lead to misdirection & disconnection. We participate in creation and destruction of our obstacles.
So what are your perceptions today?" (Ryan Holiday, The Obstacle is the Way)
There things in life that we can and cannot control. Our perception is one of the things we can control. We want to have "healthy eyes," which is seeking things as they are and through the Word of God. Bad perception taints our world and our reality. As Jesus said, when your eyes are healthy, your whole body (life) is full of light. On the other hand, when you eyes are unhealthy, your body is full of darkness.
One key to healthy perception is to be objective. 
Definition: not influenced by personal feelings, interpretations, or prejudice; based on facts; unbiased. Intent upon or dealing with things external to the mind rather than with thoughts or feelings, as a person or a book.
Unhealthy perception often comes from being subjective:
Based on feelings or opinions rather than facts; Pacing emphasis on one's own feeling, mood, attitude, and opinions
[Simone Manual gold medal performance: http://www.newcovenant.org/Simone.mp4]

Fight the Good Fight of Faith: Doing Good, Not Growing Faint

Fight the Good Fight of Faith
Doing Good, Not Growing Faint
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.
2 Timothy 4:6, For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing
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. 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 is a GOOD fight!
Have you ever recorded a basketball game to watch later, only to have someone tell you the score before you had a chance to watch the recording? When you found out that your team lost, your don't want to watch it. Why? Because a good fight is when your team wins.
We fight a good fight because in Jesus Christ, WE WIN! 
When you watch a recording of the game in which your team won, the outcome was not in doubt. As a matter of fact, if I record a game, I prefer in advance to know if my team won. For me, know that my team fought a good victorious fight, and watching it, is more enjoyable.
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 good fight of faith is not about fighting for what you already have or already see. The good fight is about not growing weary while doing good. 
The good fight of faith is all about continuing to do good, knowing that in due season you will reap....if you don't faint or lose heart

True Worship: The Lifestyle of Spirit & Truth

True Worship: The Lifestyle of Spirit & Truth 
 2 Cor. 13:5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. 6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified. 
Timothy 4:1, Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron 
 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 26:8 'So the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm, with great terror and with signs and wonders. 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, you and the Levite and the stranger who is among you. 
 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.” 
 a. “In Spirit” addresses the supernatural dimension of our walk with God and the transcendent nature of His presence 
 b. “In Truth” addresses the practical, everyday actions we engage in obedience to the Truth. Jesus said, “Your Word is Truth.” 
 ROM 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).

Perfected Love Casts Out Fear

Perfected Love Casts Out Fear
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 
Fear distracts and dominates the lives of too many people. The Bible says that "Fear has torment..." Faith and fear both have the power to influence and attract. Some leaders use fear to influence people to be afraid other people. It’s called xenophobia which is, “fear and hatred of strangers or foreigners or of anything that is strange or foreign.”
Leaders should inspire people and offer solutions. 
Fear is defined as "expectation of danger or harm." Faith attracts God's favor, blessings, and overcomes all fear!  
Here is a story that in that illustrates how fear distracts and torments when faith could have resolved the problem: 
Matthew 8:23 Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. 24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. 25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” 
Jesus asked His disciples (and us): "Why are you fearful?" 
The disciples woke up Jesus (who are sound asleep during a storm!) to ask Him to do something they should have done. Jesus was resting in the boat after a long day of ministry. A sudden storm made the disciples afraid. They allowed their fear to interfere with their faith and forget that Jesus was on the boat with them! Because of this, Jesus called the disciples' faith “ little.” He expected much more from men who had been trained first hand. 
When storms come, or big opportunities are presented, let your faith rise, not your fears. 
Phobias and fears arise when a lifestyle and mindset of faith are absent. If we claim to be Christians and disciples, Jesus FULLY expects us to trust Him. When you feel like you have respond with fear, remember that the Miracle Worker is with you. 
People are tormented by fear because of the absence of God, who is love, dwelling in them. Torment is the negative thought, the scenario, or the drama that plays out in our minds over and over again. 
Perfect love, that is God’s perfect love that is in you, will cast out all fear. If there are things you need to do, but that you are afraid to do, God’s love and presence will remove all those fears. Rather than expecting something bad to happen, you expect something good to happen because your "Father” is right there with you! 
There is a real emotion of fear generated by imminent danger that requires action. However, most fears are imagined and therefore not real and best summarized by the acrostic: 
F-alse E-evidence A-ppearing R-eal 
For believers in Christ, there is an overarching reality to embrace summarized by this text:
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 

Study in Romans 13 | What is the Role of Governing Authorities and the Police?

Romans 13:1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe ta

How to Stand Victorious in Times of Compromise

"How to Stand Victorious in Faith by Grace in Times of Compromise"
At the beginning of this series on faith, we defined faith in two ways: 1) Faith has belief, trust, obedience and acting on God word and promises. 2) What we believe, the doctrines that guide our actions, our understanding of the Bible.
By grace we stand in faith, but make no mistake, WE NEED TO STAND.
Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Jude 3:3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
1 Timothy 4:1, Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron
2 Tim 4:1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 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; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
2 Thessalonians 2
The Great Apostasy
1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us as though the day of Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
 Apostasy:  A total desertion of or departure from one's faith, principles, and cause. People turning away from the principles of the gospel
John 6:66 - From that [time] many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
2 Cor. 13:5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. 6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.
How do you test yourself? How would you test yourself as a driver? Operation of vehicle, understanding of rules of the road, physical capability.
Testing your faith involves:
Corresponding actions (Words and deeds)
Attention to the one who saved us an to Whom we belong
Obedience to basics: Prayer, reading the Bible, doing the word (obedience), worship (vertical love), fellowship with believers at church meetings (horizontal love), giving and serving.