Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

The Mind of Christ

Having a proper mindset results in joy, success, and fruitful living, not only for yourself, but for others.
MAR 12:30 'And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. 31"And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."
1CO 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For "Who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
In a world full confusion and mental anguish, believers in Christ share a unique advantage. Not only do we have access to the word of God, which provides us the plan for life and explains to us the meaning of life, we also have the person and the presence a Jesus Christ in our lives.

How to Have Joy and Breakthrough When You Need It

Phil. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always [at all times]. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Phil 4:4(NLT) 5...Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
We life in a world full of sad, disgruntled and upset people. People get offended over stuff like elections. After presidential elections, the nation used to come together and believers used to pledge to pledge for the new or re-elected president, and other officials.
There’s a lot of “cold love” in this world. We should not be surprised by a lot of this because most people in this world do not know Jesus. However, for believers we have no excuse or reason not to have joy.
You need to develop patterns in your life because how you think, handle God’s word, and live determine how you respond to situations in this world. You can’t wait until situations come upon you before you decide how to respond. Whatever patterns or habits you’ve already formed will always be the basis of your response.

How to Always Stay on Track in Life

Part 2 of Series: Abounding Blessings of God's Pattern for Your Life

Abounding Blessings of God's Pattern for Your Life | Part 1

2 Tim. 1:13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
Philippians 3:16-18 (NLT) 16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made. 17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. 18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ.
Lev. 19:23 (NLT) “When you enter the land and plant fruit trees, leave the fruit unharvested for the first three years and consider it forbidden.[f] Do not eat it. 24 In the fourth year the entire crop must be consecrated to the Lord as a celebration of praise. 25 Finally, in the fifth year you may eat the fruit. If you follow this pattern, your harvest will increase. I am the Lord your God.
If foundation is what God has laid for us through the Apostles, then pattern is the model and plan for living and building properly on the firm foundation. We had nothing to do with laying the foundation, but we have everything to do with building according to pattern.
Major patterns for living include:
Faith/Beliefs
Giving/Receiving
Prayer/Worship
Authority/Accountability
Serving/Ministry
Holiness/Sanctification
Evangelism/Social Action

Benefits of a Firm Foundation, Part 4 | Strategies For Success

The Strategy of One
Matt. 16:18 “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 “Again I say[c] to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.
The power of one is the power to act and get things done. Jesus trained his disciples, men of various backgrounds, to act as one. When we operate under the authority of Jesus, and function as one, we have the backing of heaven itself.
Eph. 4:1, I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Having the power of one begins with becoming one. We must learn to relate to one another.
• Walk worthy of the calling
• With lowliness and gentleness
• With longsuffering
• Bearing with one another in love (not just putting up with, but helping)
• Keep the unity of the Spirit in bond of peace
One body, One Spirit, One hope of calling, One Lord, One faith, One baptism, One God and Father, He is above all, through all, and in you all.
Parable - Properties of the number one: You can multiply any number by one and the product will be that number. This is known as the one property of multiplication or the identity property of multiplication. In math its called the “multiplicative Identity Property of One.”
One is reflected in the godhead and in marriage:
John 17:10 And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me,[a] that they may be one as We are.
Genesis 2:24, Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
The Strategy of Identification
Foundational instruction from Peter. We are connected to that which is “precious” or honorable. We identify with honor, not dishonor.
1 Peter 2:1 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,[a] 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.4 Coming to Him as to a living [Zoe, “having vital power in itself and exerting the same upon the soul”] stone [building stones], rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious [honorable] And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” 7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “ The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,” 8 and “ A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Because of foundation, we have been honored as:
• Chosen generation
• Royal priesthood
• Holy nation
• God’s own special people
Everything connected with the foundation is honorable, which is why we have to examine ourselves.
Paul instructed his spiritual son, Timothy, 1 Tim 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife
In Christ, we identify as:
1. Temple (structure/worship)
2. Household (family/accountability)
3. Body (structure/function)
4. Bride (covenant/intimacy/adornment)
5. Bread (process/nourishment
6. Nation (identity)

Benefits of a Firm Foundation, Part 3 | "Reach High Dig Deep"

Eph 2:19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
We are built on a Firm Foundation of which Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone.
The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:9, 9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
One of the fallacies of do-called modern apostles is the claim that they are laying foundation. No. The foundation has already been laid by apostolic fathers. We can only build on what has already been built.
Paul, “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
As a matter of fact, we don’t build anything new as it related to the Kingdom of God. Jesus said, “I will build my church.” As I have always taught you, the only thing Jesus is building is His church, because His church rises from the Firm Foundation he has already laid.
Every good thing God does in us and through us is connected to foundation. Everything else looks like the man who built his house on the ground without a foundation.
Today, we don’t dig deep to lay a foundation. We dig deep to connect to foundation.
When you visit the construction site of a tall building or great bridge, you will hear the sound of pile drivers which is a tall crane with a heavy weight attached to it. The pile are pillars of steel which are very long. They raise the heavy weight and then let it fall down on top of the pile. When it strikes the pile, it pushes it into the ground a few feet. It keeps driving the pile until it reaches bedrock. Once it reach bedrock, it’s only driving it down a few inches at a time. This goes on according the plan laid out by the Architects and engineers. They know how deep the piles have to go based on the size and weight of what is going to be build.
This becomes the foundation to the building and bridge.
I remember when I was young in faith and in the ministry, I had seasons of God pounding on me, driving me down to my necessary foundation. I’ll never forget they days of being excited about God, having zeal, but lacking knowledge and connectedness to foundation.
I remember how easily I became distracted by feelings, emotions, moods, offenses, lack, bad weather, the price of gas, and most of all having to wait for something I wanted.
When God gets through pounding your behind into foundation, here’s what you will sound like:
Acts 20:18 And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; 20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But none of these things move me;

Benefits of a Firm Foundation, Part 2 | "This Place"

2 Thessalonians 3:3, Yet the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and set you on a firm foundation... Amplified
What is "this place" for you? How is it connected to the firm foundation?
We have been blessed with many places of underserved privilege. I think my place first and foremost, as a child of God in the place of salvation in the kingdom of God. I think about my place as a father and husband. I also have been brought into a place of Gospel Ministry and as a pastor, where I have served for 34 years. I also have places of being a spiritual father, mentor, media consultant to churches, and college professor.
What are your places? How well do you stand in those places? Are you strongly connected to the firm foundation?
The foundation on which we stand was not built by us, but every generation becomes responsible to keep honor it and keep it strong. There are many foundations such as: Faith, Family, Fathers, Finance, Freedom,
The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:9, 9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Where it concerns the kingdom of God and Christ’s church, there are no new foundations being laid. If somebody tells you they are laying a new foundation, don’t believe him––and certainly don’t go stand on it.

Benefits of a Firm Foundation, Part 1

Moving Forward on the Firm Foundation of Faith
The Benefits of a Firm Foundation
"Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory." ~ Romans 5:2 (NLT)
2 Thessalonians 3:3, Yet the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and set you on a firm foundation... Amplified
Every good thing God does in us and through us is connected to foundation.
Why is this? This it true because he is a father and builder and because He operates on eternal, rather than temporal, purposes.
1 Timothy 3:14 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; 15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground (or foundation) of the truth.
Jesus gave a foundational teaching illustration on the benefit3 of a foundation.
Luke 6:46 "But why do you call Me "Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say? 47Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. 49But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great."

Improving Your Serve

Improving Your Serve
Finding the Keys to Blessing In Life
There is great personal blessing that comes with serving others following the example of Jesus Christ.
1 John 3:18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
Philippians 2:1-11 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ...
Mark 10:44-45 And whoever would be first among you must be servant of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Galatians 5:13-14 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
1 Peter 4:10-11 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Acts 20:35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Serving in the Kingdom of God is such a fundamental principle that Jesus Christ demonstrated the necessity of serving by washing His disciple’s feet. He did something helpful to people in that culture. He did not have to do it, but He did. Whether one is a leader or a follower, we should all be servants (e.g. The Apostles and Deacons of Acts 6:2-3). Serving God through serving others as the Bible defines it is an unknown concept in American society where we are taught to secure our personal comfort and success before everything else. Servants of God are not selfless, but we strive to live for the blessing of others. Being a servant requires training, practice and an adjustment in one’s attitude to accept a new way of living. This lesson will strongly challenge our concept of servanthood by the standard of the Word of God.
God’s servant is called.
God’s servant is chosen.
God’s servant is consecrated (focused on Him).
Our willingness to walk in submission and obedience is rooted in covenant-love and mutual respect for one another’s place before God. Having a servant’s heart is one a the great keys to working together in doing the will of God in the earth.
Servants Seek to:
1. Follow the example of Jesus in life and practice (John 12:26, Heb. 12:28)
John. 12:26, If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
2. Serve others as unto the Lord and in seeking to please Him (Gal. 1:10, Eph 6:5-7, Col. 3:22-23, Tit. 2:9-10. 1 Pet. 2:17-19)
3. Let others evaluate their progress (Prov. 27:2, 1 Tim. 3:10, 12)
4. Maintain a pure heart and attitude toward their leaders and all others (not judgmental)
5. Resist the temptation to advance themselves
6. Accept the consequences of their decisions and do not blame others for failure (Like Adam and the Prodigal Son)
7. Follow instructions and are prompt to fulfil responsibilities (Matt. 24:44-49) Some people only work when you watch them.
8. Work to remove instability from their lives born of doubt, unbelief, distrust and unforgiveness (Eph. 4:32, Jam. 1:6-8)
9. Communicate clearly and sincerely with others (1 Cor. 5:8)
10. Highly esteem their leaders and follow their godly example (1 Thess. 5:13, 1 Tim 6:1)
11. Place the interests of the Christ’s church over their person interests (Phil. 2:3)
12. Promote the purpose and vision of the ministry in which they serve, not themselves (2 Cor. 4:5)
Servants Avoid:
1. Overstepping their authority, prejudging others, or operate in presumption (Rom 14:4)
2. Looking for praise of men, but are humbly appreciative of any compliments. They also realize that some of the so-called compliments are only flattery (Acts 16:17)
3. Expecting promotion because of their “faithfulness” alone (Luke 17:7-10)
4. Developing an attitude that differs from their original sincerity when converted (Gal. 5:7)
5. Murmuring, complaining or entering into strife (2 Tim. 2:24, 1 Cor. 10:10)
6. Negotiating their service in the Kingdom, they are willing to do whatever their hand finds to do (Eccl. 9:10). They trust God for promotion (Matt. 23:11-12) If you serve your master, you master will serve you (Luk 12:37)
7. Operating with a hidden agenda
8. Allowing circumstances alone to change their focus, commitment or duty (Acts 14:19-21, 20:24)
9. Dividing their loyalties or permitting conflicts of interest to cause confusion (Luke 16:13 )
10. Letting the devil steal their joy and peace (Col. 3:15)
Self Examination & “Reality Check” Questions:
1. [ ] Yes [ ] No I feel that guidelines hinder my personal freedom
2. [ ] Yes [ ] No I am willing to wait indefinitely to be promoted
3. [ ] Yes [ ] No I can do what I am asked to do and trust that my leaders are following God
4. [ ] Yes [ ] No I need to speak up when I believe it is time for me to advance
5. [ ] Yes [ ] No I look for men to praise me when I do something right
6. [ ] Yes [ ] No I am afraid of being controlled by others
7. [ ] Yes [ ] No I pray more for my own needs than for the needs of others
8. [ ] Yes [ ] No I can think now of some people who are hindering my success and growth
9. [ ] Yes [ ] No I can serve God better in someplace other than where I am right now

Dealing with Disease of Discouragement

Dealing With Disease of Discouragement
Definition of disease:
1. A disorder of structure or function in a human, animal, or plant, esp. one that produces specific signs or symptoms or that affects a...
2. A particular quality, habit, or disposition regarded as adversely affecting a person or group of people.
Let me say that physical disease is a worse condition that discouragement.
A Dis-ease is a disturbance in your life whether in spirit, soul or body.
Sources of the Disease of discouragement
1. Interpersonal: Psalm 41:(NLT) 9 Even my friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me.
2. Institutional Job, school, church
3. Internal, worry, firery darts
Reasons for discouragement:
1. Unmet Expectations (Are your expectations reasonable or Unreasonable?)
2. Cognitive dissonance: People tend to seek consistency in their beliefs and perceptions. So what happens when one of our beliefs conflicts with another previously held belief? The term cognitive dissonance is used to describe the feeling of discomfort that results from holding two conflicting beliefs. When there is a discrepancy between beliefs and behaviors, something must change in order to eliminate or reduce the dissonance.
1 Kings 18:21, Elijah went before the people and said, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." But the people said nothing.
3. Covenant breaking. Broken promises or commitments
Strength Quotes For Encouragement
Strategy for Winning
Perfect Praise
Psalm 8:2 From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.
Put your mind on the things that bless you.
Phil 4:8, Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
Do what God says
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Isaiah 41:10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Matthew 11:28-29 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Peace Scripture Quotes For Encouragement
John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Romans 8:6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Philippians 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.