How to Deal with Temptation God's Way

Tuesday, August 28, 2012 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

1 Corinthians 10:13, No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Sometimes the pressures of life and circumstances can feel overwhelming. It can seem like no one has faced the pressure and temptation that you are facing. You cannot see a way through.

There are three things you must know:

1. There are no "exclusive" temptations. Other believers have faced the same "common" temptation. Do not believe that you are alone or that no one understands what you are going through.

2. God is faithful and wise. "Don't panic, it's just a test!" Because He created you, saved you, and has a plan for your life, your temptation is a test that will help you discover greater grace and ability in yourself. No athlete can become better without being pushed and tested by training.

3. God provides a way of escape. The Greek word used for "escape" means "a way out" or a "mountain pass." It carries the idea of an army apparently surrounded and then suddenly seeing an escape route to safety. No temptation has to result in sinning because God's process teaches us how to look for the "escape route" that He provides. Your escape route might be praise, or special prayer, or godly counsel, or changing how we think, or another route.  The escape route is never found in complaining, pouting, or caving in to the temptation to sin or take ungodly actions.

You can make it! Thank God for His goodness and grace!

Mighty God In Your Midst. A Quieting Love.

Monday, August 27, 2012 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

Regardless of the difficulty, dis-ease, or challenge you may be facing, know that God, the Mighty One, is "in the midst" or in the middle of you and your situation. He doesn't have to come in from a distant place. Whatever noise or disturbance is being caused by the challenge you face, let His love "quiet you."

The Shame and Folly of Presumptuous Sin

Wednesday, August 22, 2012 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

Proverbs 18:13 (NLT), Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.

Psalm 19:13, Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me.

We all make mistakes. This is human nature, even for believers who serve Christ and live close to Him.

It is a mistake to say you did something on Monday, when you intended to say it happened on Tuesday. We make mistakes in transposing numbers while writing them down. We have all given out the wrong Scripture reference on occasion.

However, some things that we do are not mistakes.

As Proverbs 18:13 states, coming to a conclusion and "spouting off" before inquiring and listening to facts is both a shame and foolish. For this, there is no excuse and it is not a mistake. According to Psalm 19:13, it is a "presumptuous" sin.

Clarke's Commentary on the Bible describes presumptuous sin as: "Sins committed not through frailty or surprise, but those which are the offspring of thought, purpose, and deliberation. Sins against judgment, light, and conscience."

I can write passionately about this topic because I have been guilty of this sin. Presumption is especially seductive because it is self-deluding, self-contented, and comfortable in its error—until exposed to the light of truth and knowledge. This light does not come from within, where the presumption dwells, it comes from without by the help of the Holy Spirit and from friends, disciples or leaders in Christ who come to our aid.

I've sat among fellow broken people who were years late in recognizing their presumptuous sins, have unnecessarily carried error, held wrong judgments against others, and lived under the dominion of their presumptuous sins.

Take my word for it: You don't know what you don't know. Get the facts, talk to people you should talk to—and not others— and avoid this shame and foolishness.

"I am a Leader" - Affirmations of Expectation

Monday, August 20, 2012 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

While reviewing some leadership materials from my library, I re-discovered the following list of affirmations by Dr. Myles Munroe. As a statement of our present practice, this list is a little intimidating. However, as a statement of our personal expectation, it is encouraging. Enjoy!

1. I possess a deep guiding purpose
2. I have a clear vision
3. I love to serve others
4. I have established specific goals
5. I cultivate my spiritual reserves
6. I am teachable
7. I am constantly refining my skills
8. I am tolerant
9. I am honest and sincere with integrity
10. I communicate my vision
11. I am an avid reader
12. I maximize time
13. I am enthusiastic toward life
14. I believe in the worth and value of others
15. I keep myself in the best condition possible
16. I embrace responsibility carefully
17. I am daring
18. I am decisive
19. I am result oriented
20. I am committed to excellence
21. I learn from my mistakes
22. I measure myself against myself

[From Myles Munroe, Becoming a Leader: Everyone Can Do It-Workbook (Bakersfield, CA: Pneuma Life Publishing, 1993), p. 59.]

We never trust God in vain.

Thursday, August 09, 2012 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

We never trust God in vain. He always lifts you up. |  Romans 10:11, As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame." (cp. Isa. 28:16)

Don't Become Weary While Doing Good!

Tuesday, August 07, 2012 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments


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. 

This morning I woke up with today's Scripture resounding inside of me. He's giving this word for you and me: The good things you're doing do not produce a harvest overnight. The best things in life take a little longer to come, because of the quality that goes in.

You are God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10), and God is doing a quality work called YOU! Don't grow weary while God is working on and in you. You're "due season" of reaping is most certainly coming.

Just make sure that you are in your "field," and ready to reap, when the harvest of blessings show up!

Growing Faith, Abounding Love

Monday, August 06, 2012 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

Having growing faith and abounding in love is God’s plan for your life.

2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other.

JUST DO IT!

Saturday, August 04, 2012 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments


Psalms 66:1 Shout for joy to God, all the earth! 2 Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious. 3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you!

The Principle of the Path

Friday, August 03, 2012 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments


Proverbs 4:18, But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. 19 The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble.
The "Principle of the Path" states: It's not our intentions that shape our lives, it is the path that we choose to take. Every path, or road, leads somewhere. Poor choices put us on a path leading towards darkness and heartbreak. Good choices put us on a path towards greater light and fruitful purpose
When you are on God's path, you might even start out in a place that looks dim. Because you are committed to serving His purpose and keeping covenant with God's family, your path will grow brighter day by day.
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