Latest Podcast: "The Power and Beauty of Covenant Relationships"

Wednesday, November 29, 2017 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

Thanksgiving Day - An Opportunity to Develop an "Attitude of Gratitude"

Wednesday, November 22, 2017 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

Thanksgiving Holiday is the beginning of the best time of the year! This is not because problems go away or the world suddenly becomes a better place.

Thanksgiving, or more accurately, "Giving thanks to God," provides an opportunity to gain a better perspective on life. We live in a culture that is full of complaining, ingratitude and greed.

As we thank God for all His blessings, including salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, we find grace to give thanks to God and brighten our hearts. A heart and mind that have been brightened through giving thanks can overcome the darkest days. As we give thanks, we will also be able to overcome any sadness that arises when reflecting on loved ones who have passed on and will not be sitting around our dinner tables.

I pray that you and yours will have a wonderful and "bright" Thanksgiving. I pray that you will gain an "attitude of gratitude" that will carry you throughout the holidays!

Your "Set Time" of Opportunity Has Come!

Thursday, November 16, 2017 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

Psalm 102:13 You will arise and have mercy on Zion; For the time to favor her, Yes, the set time, has come.

The Vines Expository Dictionary defines "mercy" in this way: "Mercy is the outward manifestation of compassion; it assumes need on the part of him who receives it, and resources adequate to meet the need on the part of him who shows it."

God's mercy is not only for people who make mistakes. Mercy is for people who want to help and serve others.  The biblical Hebrew and Greek words for "time" carry the idea of "opportunity" or a "set time." (As in Ephesians 5:16)

According to Vines, mercy works in two directions. 1) God comes to the aid of people in need. 2) God provides resources for people who show mercy and want to help others.

Through mercy what begins as trouble or difficulty becomes the "set time" for God and merciful people to bring help and new opportunities!

This is what Joseph experienced after being sold into slavery, or jailed after being falsely accused. (Gen. 39:20-23) Through God's mercy, his "set time" transformed his trouble and made him the Prime Minister of Egypt and put him in position to provide mercy, and provision, for his whole family when famine came.

This is what Jesus did for us when we were lost and in sin: Ephesians 2:4-5 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,  made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

In the midst of your trouble, choices, or willingness to help others, God's mercy will provide a "set time" of favor and opportunity. Expect it!

The Unusual Power of Prayer & Fasting

Monday, November 06, 2017 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

Matthew 17:18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

"Fasting confirms our utter dependence upon God by finding in Him a source of sustenance beyond food."  (Dallas Willard)

Jesus' disciples could not help a child that was brought to them. They BELIEVED that they could help the child, but were unable to do so. They asked Jesus, “Why could we not cast it out?” Jesus said, "Because of your unbelief."

Wait a minute!  If the disciples had a problem with unbelief, why did they try to cast out the demon?

Unbelief is not only a lack of belief or lack of faith. Unbelief is also a lack of preparation.

Prayer & fasting helps "this kind" to "go out." I don't think Jesus was talking about "this kind" of demon (even though some Bible versions indicate this). I think He is talking about "this kind" power and presence of God going forth from (or out of) those who prepare themselves to minister to people. The real subject of this text is not demons, but faith in God.

Regardless of your interpretation, it is clear that prayer and fasting help us go to a higher level of functioning by faith. Part of that higher level comes from not placing our usual emphasis on food and things natural/earthly. Faith is more than believing. Faith is acting on the Word of God.

Prayer is the most important spiritual activity we undertake and fasting enhances that activity.

Be Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind

Friday, November 03, 2017 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

Grace the Teacher of How to Live

Wednesday, November 01, 2017 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. 15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

In his letter to Titus, the Apostle Paul personifies the grace of God as a teacher. We know that grace provided every good thing we have, including salvation. Paul shows that grace can teach us how to live.

Paul's letter to Titus was a pastoral letter designed to instruct, encourage, and establish some important Christian truths, especially for Titus and church leaders. Central to that task was recognizing the significance of the grace of God on a very practical level. As we know, we do not succeed through our own works, but through grace operating by faith (Eph. 2:8). From this text, let's look specifically at what grace teaches:

1. Denying ungodliness 
2. Denying worldly lust
3. Live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age
4. Looking for the appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ
5. Jesus gave His life to redeem us
6. Jesus gave His life to purify us
7. We are God's special people, eager to do good works
8. Leaders should not be timid

We do not lack a clear standard. Living for God is not like the old Burger King motto, "Have It Your Way." We all benefit from loving instruction and training. As a matter of fact, we learn to thrive and experience "good" success (Joshua 1:8) based on training because we are designed to learn, grow, and develop. Proof of that principle is shown in Proverbs 29:15, "...A child left undisciplined disgraces its mother." Also, Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Disgraceful and dysfunctional behavior develops in a child who is "left to himself" or otherwise neglected with respect to training. The principle applies to adults as well on a different level. Have you ever encountered a poorly trained, or untrained, worker on a job? 

Grace as Teacher provides the best way to be trained, learn, and grow. Not only do we receive instruction from the Source--our Creator, we also receive the power to become the instruction!