The Best Lesson from the Book of Job

Tuesday, June 28, 2011 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

Job 11:13 “Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, 14 if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, 15 then, free of fault, you will lift up your face; you will stand firm and without fear. 16 You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by.

This text shown above are the words of Zophar, who was one of the guys trying to counsel Job in his time of testing. This is a good and accurate statement in its own right, but it is always important to read the Book of Job in context.

The book of Job is full of rants, reasons and relentless speculations. It is difficult to sort out the sanity from the insanity!  Words and phrases that sounded like solid doctrine were sometimes later contradicted or refuted. Everyone of us can "wax eloquent" from time to time, even when what we say carries no authority. This why we must take statements from the Book of Job with several grains of salt.

God listened to everyone's opining and pontificating, and then began to respond:

Job 38:1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: 2 “Who is this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge? 3 Now prepare yourself like a man;I will question you, and you shall answer Me. 4 “ Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding…"

At the end of the book, God rebuked everyone for presuming to possess wisdom and insight that was His alone. This is the best lesson from the Book of Job.

Make the Choice to Make a Difference

Tuesday, June 21, 2011 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

Esther 3:8 Then Haman said to King Xerxes, “There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate. Their customs are different from those of all other people, and they do not obey the king’s laws; it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. 9 If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will give ten thousand talents of silver to the king’s administrators for the royal treasury.”    

People who separate themselves to serve God and live by His word attract criticism at best, and at worst, evil intentions from those who hate God.

The time came when Mordecai and Esther would have to take a stand on behalf of the people of God to stop Haman's genocidal plot.

Just as Esther learned hat she had "Come to the kingdom for such a time as this," (4:14) believers in Christ must recognize that God wants us to take a stand to make a difference in the lives of people.

Oftentimes our choice to make a difference brings life and turns away the shadow of death.

"The Man God is Looking For" | Join us on Father's Day at New Covenant Church

Saturday, June 18, 2011 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

You Can Start a Movement

Thursday, June 16, 2011 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

Nehemiah 2:17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” 18 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.

Broken down walls represent a loss of purpose, protection and dignity. For Jerusalem in Nehemiah's day, the broken walls were saying, "We are defeated and overcome!" 

Interestingly, the answer to this desperate situation came from a far away place and from the heart of a man with no personal history in Jerusalem. One man's compassion started a "rebuilding" movement by igniting a flame of hope in the hearts of people ready to be inspired.

Never underestimate your ability to make a difference through the grace of God!

God's Plans for You Stand Firm!

Friday, June 10, 2011 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

Psalm 33:11 (NLT) But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken.

Sometimes we become distracted, or overwhelmed, by feelings of not making progress. Sometimes we look more intensely at negative factors than we should. Sometimes we question our own value. Sometimes…

However, what we should do ALL THE TIME is remember that God's plan for us is the true driver of our purpose, progress and value! His plans stand forever! What God intends for us cannot be shaken!

Believe it!

HIS WAY, TRUTH & LIFE vs. our way, truth, & life

Saturday, June 04, 2011 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

John 14:6, "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" 

Everything you really need or genuinely desire is found in Christ's Way, Truth, and Life--which is far, far better that your own way, truth, and life.

A New Look for a New Life

Thursday, June 02, 2011 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

Ephesians 5:22 Throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception. 23 Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. 24 You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God's likeness – righteous, holy, and true

It is interesting that even though we are already born-again and new creations in Christ, it is necessary to "throw off" all remnants of our former behavior.

Because we are new people, it is appropriate to change our surroundings and our mindset. This new life is like purchasing a house and then going in to take out leftover trash, repainting the walls, and removing all items related to the previous owner.

A new life needs a new look, a new mindset, and a fresh vision.

Most importantly, we need to look like Jesus Christ, live holy, and reflect his character to everyone around us.