The Blessings of Voluntary Interdependence

Monday, July 30, 2018 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments





A lack of accountability is one of the great challenges in our times. From the White House to the house on the corner. Disorder, confusion, and abuse (abnormal use) are part of the result. For believers, godly submission only happens among equals (no one is superior or inferior). It cannot be forced or coerced (that is slavery). It is not "top down."  Mutual submission and recognition of spiritual leaders is a voluntary interdependence among godly people through the grace of God. Jesus is our example.

To Pastors/Elders: 1 Peter 5:2, Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;

To Disciples: Hebrews 13:17 Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.

To the World: Proverbs 21:2, A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart.

The Power of Your Testimony (Audio)

Sunday, July 29, 2018 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments



Latest teaching on the Firm Foundation Podcast: "The Power of Your Testimony" (Audio) 

 Podbean: https://bryanhudson.podbean.com/e/the-power-of-your-testimony-1532908846/
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/firm-foundation-with-bryan-hudson/id81271386?mt=2

 The Power of Your Testimony

 Hebrews 3:4 For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. 5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, 6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.

 Revelation 19: 9 Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

 Everyone has built his or her “house.” Your house is your scope of responsibility, authority, ministry, jobs, and possessions. The Bible says that Moses was faithful in his house. His faithfulness became his testimony. Your testimony, like the chapters of a book, is written every day by your words and deeds of faith in obedience to God.

 2 Corinthians 1:12, "For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you." 

 A good testimony is: 
1) Clear conscience
2) Simple and sincere conduct in in clear view others (no hidden agendas)
3) Operating by grace, not by carnal (flesh-ruled) wisdom
4) Other-focused

 “Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

 God’s prophetic purposes have been, and are being fulfilled, in your life!

Grace: Everything You Need (Video)

Wednesday, July 25, 2018 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments



Grace: Everything You Need
by Pastor Bryan Hudson, New Covenant Church

Hebrews 12:27, Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28] Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

We live in an unstable world, full of unstable and changeable people. Even the things in our lives are subject to shaking, only to reveal what cannot be shaken. Grace provides everything we need!

www.NewCovenant.org

Great Conversation with Derris Ross of Ross Foundation - Turning Personal Trauma into Transformed Lives.

Friday, July 20, 2018 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments


A Prayer of David for Our Times of Duplicity

Friday, July 20, 2018 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments


This prayer of David came up today in my devotional reading. This is a fitting prayer to our times of duplicity. Some might say Psalms is old testament and therefore irrelevant. However, the The Apostle Paul taught otherwise, “All Scripture is given by inspirational of God... and is profitable...” (2 Tim. 3:16-17) Remember that God’s grace in your life is more than a barcode label. Our “package” is the same as the label!

Let this reading bless and challenge you!

Psalm 26:1, Vindicate me, O Lord,
For I have walked in my integrity.
I have also trusted in the Lord; I shall not slip.
2 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me;
Try my mind and my heart.
3 For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, And I have walked in Your truth.
4 I have not sat with idolatrous mortals, Nor will I go in with hypocrites.
5 I have hated the assembly of evildoers, And will not sit with the wicked.
6 I will wash my hands in innocence; So I will go about Your altar, O Lord,
7 That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, And tell of all Your wondrous works.
8 Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house, And the place where Your glory dwells.
9 Do not gather my soul with sinners,
Nor my life with bloodthirsty men,
10 In whose hands is a sinister scheme, And whose right hand is full of bribes.
11 But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; Redeem me and be merciful to me.
12 My foot stands in an even place;
In the congregations I will bless the Lord.

Grace: An Empowered Life, Not Barcode Religion (Audio Podcast)

Monday, July 16, 2018 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments



Listen to the message on the Firm Foundation audio podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/firm-foundation-with-bryan-hudson/id81271386

 My lesson today will be, “Grace: An Empowered Life, Not Barcode Religion” We will study from 1 Peter 4:10-11 reads, "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."

 We are never at the mercy, and weakness, of operating in our own strength. We can rely on the ability of God through grace in every endeavor of life. Our faith in God is not like a barcode (you will have to hear the teaching about that one!)

Apollos, From an Accurate Teacher to an Accurate Practitioner

Friday, July 13, 2018 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments




Acts 16:24 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

Apollos was a man with high motivation and strong gifting. The text says he was bold, eloquent, and accurate in his teaching.

Apollos' best attribute was his willingness to learn and to grow. A person possessing this level of ability could easily become conceited, arrogant, and walled off from others.

Notice how he received the Aquila and Priscilla along with their instruction. A man who was accurate in his teaching became even more accurate in the ways of God as a practitioner.

Accurate knowledge is always important, but knowing the ways of God more accurately always takes one to a higher level of function and purpose. Apollo's was a great teacher who became a great practitioner of the faith. 

That's an excellent example for you and me.

Beware of Misused Scriptures: Americans Do Not Have a King or a Ruler

Thursday, July 12, 2018 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments




Here is a basic civics lesson: 
Everyone in America should keep in mind that we don’t have kings and rulers. Therefore, Scriptures that relate to kings and rulers do not specifically apply to American presidents, governors, mayors, etc. 

They are all fellow citizens whom we should respect and pray for, but who are not above critique, censure, and removal. Kings were not citizens and were not chosen “by the consent of the governed.” They were considered divinely appointed representatives of God and above the people.

We don’t have a king to fear, we only fear God. We have a Constitution and a Bill of Rights. Don’t allow the Scriptures to be twisted or misused in an attempt, or as intimidation, to silence your dissent or encourage veneration of political leaders. 

Constitutional principle: “...The right to petition government for redress of grievances is the right to make a complaint to, or seek the assistance of, one's government, without fear of punishment or reprisals, ensured by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution (1791).”

The Safety of the Faithful

Thursday, July 12, 2018 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments




This is an excellent Facebook public post by Pastor Hart Ramsey in Dothan, Alabama (used by permission).  Because it corresponded to my devotional reading on the same day, I wanted to share his insight followed by Psalms 4:1-8:

Be encouraged!
———————
PROCESSING HURT IN CHURCH

There is not a Christian in the world who hasn't been hurt in church.  I've been saved for 36 years, serving in ministry for 30 plus years, & Pastoring for 24 years. 

Over the years I’ve been used, betrayed, lied on, falsely accused, attacked, slandered, rejected, mocked, discarded, abandoned, & told I was nothing. As a result:

•  My will has been broken.
•  My faith has been stretched.
•  My emotions have stabilized.
•  My mind has expanded. 
•  My love has matured. 
    (Hart Ramsey)

I refuse to blame people for what I went through. They may have meant it for evil, but GOD meant it for my good.  
_____________

Psalms 4:1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have relieved me in mydistress; Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.
2 How long, O you sons of men,
Will you turn my glory to shame?
How longwill you love worthlessness
Andseek falsehood? Selah
3 But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly; The Lord will hear when I call to Him.
4 Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah
5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in the Lord.
6 There aremany who say, “Who will show us anygood?”
Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.
7 You have put gladness in my heart,
More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.
8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

40 is More Than Just a Number to Me!

Monday, July 09, 2018 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments



I just remembered that yesterday, July 8th, was the 40th anniversary of becoming a follower of Christ! I received the Lord on my knees in my mother's bedroom, alone. I confessed Him publicly at my granddad's church the following Sunday. 


July 8 also happens to be her birthday. She went home to be with the Lord in 2003. #thankful #newbirth #saved #destiny

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