Humility and Boldness: A Good Mix

Friday, April 26, 2013 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments


Would you climb a tree to see Jesus?

Zacchaeus was a man of means, and a short guy. However, he was not too arrogant to expect Jesus to recognize his social status, nor too proud to climb a tree just to see Jesus. This got him noticed by Jesus.

This mixture of humility and boldness is something God desires in all of us!

Luke 19:1 Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him,[a] and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” 6 So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully

A Simple Prayer for Victims of Boston Bombing

Monday, April 15, 2013 Bryan Hudson 1 Comments

Lord, thank you for help and healing for the injured, comfort for families and friends of people killed and injured, wisdom for law enforcement and homeland security officials to find the perpetrators, and vigilance to guard against similar attacks. 

In Jesus name. Amen!

Use that Good Eye Today

Friday, April 12, 2013 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

Having sincere and God-directed motives is the "good eye" that Jesus talked about. It brings light and clarity to your whole life--spirit, soul, and body. Hidden agendas and bitterness have the opposite effect.

Use that Good Eye today!

Luke 11:34 The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness. 35 Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. 36 If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light

Pray for Pastor Rick Warren

Wednesday, April 10, 2013 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

I don't know Pastor Rick Warren personally, but his writings and ministry have been a great blessing to my life and ministry. Maybe you feel the same way.

As you may know, Pastor Warren's son recently committed suicide. On top of this tragic loss has been some negative talk about Warren in social media and even among some circles of Christian media and especially online forums--which drives traffic to these websites like the gossip that sells tabloid magazines at the supermarket.

There are always people who view personal tragedy as a kind of sign of God's disfavor or judgment. There are believers who never "forgave" him for offering prayer at President Obama's first inaugural--as if a sin was committed.

Misguided Christians can be the most cruel of all people.

Ironically, our Christian culture in some ways has become most unbiblical. When we are not ignoring the "least of these," we are chasing after Christian celebrities. When we are not bowing down to become pawns for a political party, we've got our heads stuck in the sand, running into our own closets to avoid "controversies" like same-sex marriage or banning combat-style weapons.

In many ways, Pastor Warren serves as "America's Pastor." He continues to do great work for his congregation, for God's kingdom and our world. He has taken principled stands on many issues and been a non-politically partisan voice for God in our times.

It is important to intercede in prayer for Pastor Warren, his wife, and family over the next several weeks.

Pray that the peace of God will surround his heart and mind. Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Pray for "our" pastor.

What is the Condition of Your Heart (Soil)?

Thursday, April 04, 2013 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

Luke 8:11(NLT)  “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word. 12 The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved. 13 The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation. 14 The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. 15 And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.

You are responsible for the condition of the "soil" of your heart and attitude. Good seed is wasted on bad soil with weeds. Good seed (the Word) thrives in good soil.

Three bad conditions to avoid:
1. "Wayside" is the walking path around the garden. Nothing is planted and seed is wasted. The devil "takes away" unplanted seed.

2. "Shallow" is a lack of depth. It's like saying "Amen!" to the Word, but doing nothing else. What was sown on Sunday is gone by Tuesday.

3. "Distractions" choke progress that has been made. Like aggressive weeds in a garden that harm the plants. Jesus said that "cares, riches, and pleasures of life" can "crowd out" or choke good things.

One good condition to cultivate:
"Receptivity" to God's Word: Be eager to hear and cling to what God is saying, after saying "Amen!"

Being Unique in a Culture of Conformity

Wednesday, April 03, 2013 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

Luke 7:31 And the Lord said, “To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying: ‘We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not weep.’ 33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 But wisdom is justified by all her children.”

Jesus described His generation as a "monkey-see-monkey-do" culture. He characterized that generation for finding fault with unique people such as the "Son of Man" and "John the Baptist." It seems our culture has not changed much after all these centuries.

Last time I checked, we were not destined to do or like things just because everyone else does. We value working together as well as value encouraging the exploration of God's unique gifts within every heart and life. The body of Christ is made stronger when we understand our unique purpose.

Let's go with God's wisdom where ever He leads and dance to His tune.


Subscribe to: Posts ( Atom )