Perspectives & Priorities for 2018

Sunday, December 31, 2017 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments



Shine for Christ: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16 Pray: "…The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" (James 5:16). "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints" (Ephesians 6:18). "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express" (Romans 8:26). "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Pray for others: "For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy" Colossians 1:9 Walk with the wise: "Don't reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise man, and he will love you" Proverbs 9:8, Maintain Forward Focus: "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13 Begin and Work with Victory in Mind: "Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place." 2 Corinthians 2:14 Empower Others: "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them." Hebrews 6:10

It is Finished. A New Beginning. Total Victory.

Friday, December 29, 2017 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments



Prayer continues to be the constant in a world of change. God’s truth withstands every test of time. These realities came into focus for me during the final week of this year 2017.

 During my devotional time on December 27, while reflecting on 2017 and looking forward to 2018, a song written by Darlene Zschech, former Hillsong worship leader illuminated this Scripture from John 19:28-30 as Jesus hung on the cross,

 Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. 30 When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

 Jesus said, “It is finished!”

 Question: What was finished or done? Answer: Everything related His mission and your victory!

 Jesus stated His mission: "For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me" (John 6:38).
He stated His position: ”Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me'" (John 14:6).

 Below are part of the lyrics to the song “At The Cross” by Darlene Zschech from 2006 (Here is a lyric video of that song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLgQWpxZ-eg)

 At the cross You died for me
Where Your blood was shed for me
There's no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now
You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done

 In view of whatever challenges and opportunities we face, know that Jesus’ words “It is finished!” and the giving up of His Spirit in death brought us life and new beginnings. This reality is revealed in three ways. 

 1. You tore the veil: The veil was a curtain in the Jewish temple that separated the most holy place from the holy place and outer court. When Jesus spoke the words “It is finished” and gave up His Spirit, that veil was split from top the bottom. (Matthew 27:51). This signaled the end of law and the emergence of grace. It signaled that human power needs the greater power of Christ, who is the Life Giver and Purpose Fulfiller. 

 2. You made a way: What was impossible under the old order of law (salvation and a new birth), is now possible under the new order of grace. Whatever you thought was impossible, unachievable, overwhelming, out-of-reach, or insurmountable is now possible. Jesus made the way!

 3. When Jesus said that “it is done”: What was “done” was both His mission to save us and His ongoing grace to empower us, open doors, remove the darkness of dispair, and create “beauty from ashes,” and reveal to you new pathways of victory! 

 The Scottish biblical scholar William Barclay offers a remarkable insight in his commentary on Jesus words "It is finished." The gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke record that Jesus let out a "shout" or "cried out" before giving up his Spirit in death. Only John records the words, "It is finished!" 

 Barclay writes: "The explanation is that the great shout and the words, "It is finished," are one and the same thing. "It is finished" is one word in Greek--tetelestai (GSN5055)--and Jesus died with a shout of triumph on his lips. He did not say, "It is finished," in weary defeat; he said it as one who shouts for joy because the victory is won. He seemed to be broken on the Cross, but he knew that his victory was won.

 "It is finished!" were words of victory, not words of resignation and defeat! You may feel broken or defeated, but it only seems that way. The FACT is this: Because Jesus finished his mission, your victory and mission have already begun! The Lord has opened doors for you that no one can shut.

 This insight has become part of my vision for 2018 and what I will share with our New Covenant Church congregation on Sunday, January 7. “It is Finished. A New Beginning. Total Victory.”

 Happy New Year!
 ~ Bryan Hudson


First Internet Broadcast from Vision Stream Network

Tuesday, December 26, 2017 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments


I would like to share with you the first Internet broadcast from Vision Stream Network today at 7:30pm ET. My guest will be Dr. Kenneth E. Sullivan Sr., who is an author, pioneer, bishop, and educator with great insight for our times. 


VSN is the newest service from Vision Communications. I started VSN to leverage my digital media knowledge and experience to provide an Internet broadcasting, podcasting, and production platform for you. There is also a new studio. I invite you to take a few minutes to explore the VSN website to learn more: http://www.visionstreamnetwork.tv, I will release an introduction video this week that will provide an overview of Vision Stream Network.

 



For now, I invite you to create a reminder for today, December 26 at 7:30pm ET. Watch the interview with Dr. Sullivan on Facebook LIVE, www.facebook.com/VisionStreamNetwork and on the website, www.VisionStreamNetwork.tv

If you have questions about VSN or would like to discuss hosting your own program, contact me. If you have a program idea, you can share it here: http://www.visionstreamnetwork.tv/my-program-idea.html


Merry Christmas!

Saturday, December 23, 2017 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

"...It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35)

Christmas is the celebration of the birth of our Savior and the recognition of God's greatest gift. Patricia and I pray that you and your family will experience God's very best during this holiday season. Jesus Christ is your life giver and comforter in all seasons. 

For the 27th year, New Covenant Church has celebrated Christmas by serving our neighbors in need. With the support of Lilly Endowment through their Holiday Assistance Fund, our Share Committee, and Friends Fellowship, we were able to provide gifts, food, lunch, devotional books, and encouragement to families, individuals, incarcerated women at Indiana Women's Prison, and mothers with children at Craine House last week. This week we were able to take two families shopping for shoes, and take other family shopping next week. (Click here to view photos from this year's Community Christmas Celebration) I share this with you to emphasize the significance of our gratitude to God for our blessings and to keep Christmas in proper focus.

Come join us this Sunday for a special Christmas Eve service followed by a "Heart Warming Fellowship" with refreshments.

From our family to yours, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Pastor Bryan & Patricia Hudson 

God's Joy. Your Strength.

Tuesday, December 12, 2017 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments



Nehemiah. 8:10, Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink he sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

In every season and circumstance, God provides the firm foundation of joy, which is your strength. Strength brings provision into your life and enough to share. The people of God in Nehemiah’s day learned it and we can know it today!

Join me for this week's Firm Foundation broadcast. The teaching topic is: "The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength." Listen on WTLC AM1310. watch online at www.FirmFoundationTV.net, on Facebook Live and on the Firm Foundation podcast.  You will be blessed and encouraged!

(Audio) Firm Foundation Podcast, "The Salt of the Covenant: God's Influence In Your Life"

Wednesday, December 06, 2017 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments



Listen to the message:  "The Salt of the Covenant: God's Influence In Your Life"  

 Mark 9:49 For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.

 Leviticus 2:12 As for the offering of the firstfruits, you shall offer them to the Lord, but they shall not be burned on the altar for a sweet aroma. 13 And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt.

Standing In Your Steadfastness. Growing in Grace.

Friday, December 01, 2017 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments




2 Peter 3:17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

Peter’s second letter concludes with a great promise and a warning. The previous verses (which you want to read), talk about the “Day of the Lord,” which is essentially the end of our world as we know it and the emergence of a “new heavens and a new earth.” 

Verse 17 assumes that believers understand what is coming, even though we don’t know when it is coming. Peter writes, “Beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked.” It is the kind of warning we cannot ignore. Falling is not something we need to fear, but we must not become so arrogant as to think nothing can negatively affect us. The “error of the wicked” offers fatally attractive and powerful enticements—but only if we’re looking in that direction. 

We only need to focus on what Peter wrote in the next verse, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 
THERE IT IS!

Reading this blog post and everything else you do through your relationship with your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is exactly how you “grow in grace!”
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