Crowning the Year, Old & New – Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute for December 28, 2022

Tuesday, December 27, 2022 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments


  

I trust you have been blessed by Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute this year! 
If you have, consider sowing a seed. God Bless!

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“You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance.” (Psalm 65:11)

In the Hebrew, the word crown means to surround. During 2022, God surrounded you with Himself and good things. In 2023 He wants to do the same and more...crown or surround the year and you with His goodness. God wants your paths to drip with the abundance of provision.

This does not mean you did not face challenges in 2022 or will avoid challenges and difficulties in 2023. The key is: He said that He will surround you.

In the story of Elisha and his servant in 2 Kings 6, the servant awoke to see that the two of them were surrounded by the armies of the enemy. But Elisha said, "There are more with us than with them." The servant thought Elisha had lost his mind until He prayed that the Lord would open his eyes that he may see.

When his spiritual eyes were open, his natural eyes could see that God had crowned them or surrounded them with armies of Angels, who were more numerous and vastly more powerful than the armies of men.

The biggest part of 2023 will be your perspective. What will you see? Will you believe that God has crowned the new year and surrounds you, or will you only stare at the problems, look for the negatives, and allow people and circumstances to sap your energy?

Say this out loud: God has crowned my year with His goodness. My paths drip with abundance!

Below, you'll find a video link to highlights from our Community Christmas Jesus Celebration and Outreach held at two churches December 10 & 17. You will notice that God helped us to crown or surround people with joy and gifts! Let us carry that generous and serving spirit into the new year.

God Bless and Be Encouraged!
~ Pastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min.



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Jesus, Born to Leave & Empower – Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute for December 21, 2022

Tuesday, December 20, 2022 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments


  

John 16:7, Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you

Did you know that Jesus was born to leave?

During the Christmas season we focus on and celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For those of us who are Christ followers, we are sensitive to the neglect of Christ during Christmas in our culture.

After the birth of Jesus in the manger, which was an animal feeding place, the scene shifts to an angel announcing the birth of Jesus to shepherds tending sheep in a field. While Jesus was born in a noisy place, the announcement of his birth was made in a quiet place. God still wants to speak to you and quiet places.

Luke 2:10 forward to the words of the angel, "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!"

Verse 13 reads, "Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

In all of the joy of Jesus' birth, we keep our focus on the reason for His birth. He came to bring great joy to all people. He came to glorify God and bring peace on earth, dwell in the hearts of people, and goodwill towards all.

We know that joy, peace, and goodwill are achieved only with a change of heart. These are virtues we are not born with and that we cannot produce on our own. Not even the productive and holy life that Jesus lived was enough to change the hearts of people. Jesus had to die, be buried, leave the earth, and send back the Holy Spirit to bring His promises to pass.

This is why Jesus said it was to our advantage that he would go away. As a man, even a Divine Man, Jesus was limited to being at one place at one time. Through the Holy Spirit, God causes the Spirit of Christ to dwell within those who have received him as Lord, and do works that bring joy, peace, and goodwill to all.

So during this Christmas, celebrate Christ birth, but don't forget to live in the reality of why Jesus came, lived, died for our sins, was buried, and rose again.

He was born to leave, but for the greater purpose of sending God's power into your life.

God Bless and Be Encouraged!
~ Pastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min.


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JESUS: Our Helper. Born to Empower

Sunday, December 18, 2022 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments



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John 16:7, Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

Jesus was born to help and save.
He came to depart for a greater purpose.
He sent The Great Helper. The Holy Spirit.

•  The Helper that Jesus promised is not like most help that is limited and fails to empower.
•  People tend to overrate their ability to help us.
•  People also tend to underrate what God can do.

Whatever fails to empower people too often enables them

Don’t Get HELPING and ENABLING Twisted

An enabler is a person who, by their actions, makes it easier for another person to continue their non-productive or self-destructive behavior.

Jesus refused to be an enabler. After feeding the multitudes. Look at what Jesus said to the people the next day…

John 6:24, When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. 25 And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You come here?” 26 Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”

•  Jesus does not come to ENABLE people.
•  Jesus came to EMPOWER people.
•  The Holy Spirit EMPOWERS people!

What is Christmas? – Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute for December 14, 2022

Tuesday, December 13, 2022 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments


  

2 Corinthians 1:3, Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

The Christmas holiday is a wonderful time of the year.

It is also a time of challenge for many. We remember loved ones who are not with us this year. We may have experienced changes in our family such as children growing up and moving away. Some may spend Christmas day alone. Some may be concerned about how they going to pay for Christmas gifts or not be on the receiving end of gifts.

All of this is a matter of perspective. The old cliché is still true, "Jesus is the reason for the season."

In our text, the Apostle Paul wrote about our Heavenly Father is a God of compassion and comfort. The word comfort is mentioned four times in these two verses. The idea is not about being comfortable as sitting in an easy chair or on a sofa.

The word comfort, as it is used here, is defined as:
A calling to one’s side, encouragement, consolation, that which affords refreshment.

What the Lord wants to do for you is come to your side, encourage, console, and refresh you. Then Paul wrote: "So that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."

Christmas is first a time of receiving, not only gifts from people, but compassion and comfort, or help, from the Lord. This is why Jesus came. He is God's gift to humanity.

Christmas is also a time of giving, not of just material things, but of the things that money cannot buy. As the angels said to the shepherds in the field on the night Jesus was born,

The Gospel of Luke 11:10 reads, “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem...13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying 14 Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

That is the perspective we want to have.

God Bless and Be Encouraged!
~ Pastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min.

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Baptize Your Thinking – Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute for December 7, 2022

Tuesday, December 06, 2022 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments


  

Isaiah 8:11 (NLT)
The Lord has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. 12 “Don’t call everything a conspiracy, like they do, and don’t live in dread of what frightens them.13 Make the Lord of Heaven’s Armies holy in your life. He is the one you should fear. He is the one who should make you tremble.14 He will keep you safe.

How do you think affects how you feel, how you act, and your outlook on life. Through the prophet Isaiah, God told His people back then (and us today), "Not to think like everyone else does."

The key to good thinking, is being intentional about how, where, and when to focus your mind. Rather than being worried about what NOT to think, focus your heart and mind upon the "Lord of Heaven's armies" or upon God's resources. When one's mind is not submitted to God, conspiracies become attractive and fear drives out hope and faith.

When I studied Spanish, we reached a level where we mostly only spoke Spanish during the class. Immersion is the very best way to master a new language, or any skilled task. 

Immersing (or baptizing) your mind with God's presence and becoming renewed in your mind through His word, will make the biggest difference in your life!

God Bless and Be Encouraged!
~ Pastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min.

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Registration is open for our 32nd community Christmas Jesus Celebration and Outreach. I invite you to recommend persons in need of Christmas help and encouragement to register. Use this link:  https://www.newcovenant.org/communitychristmas



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Living Life and Life Givers – Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute for November 30, 2022

Tuesday, November 29, 2022 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments


  

2 Timothy 1:5, I’m reminded of your authentic faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice. I’m sure that this faith is also inside you.

In his second letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul addressed him in a very personal way. Paul reflected on Timothy's faith in God. In doing so he identified the legacy of faith proceeding from both his grandmother and mother. He even knew their names, Lois and Eunice.

On November 29, I celebrated another birthday. While I saw my entire family on Thanksgiving day on the 24th, it was great to have dinner with my wife, my father, and two of our children who live in the city. Birthdays are an obvious reminder that we are blessed with the gift of life. It is also reminder of the blessing of life givers-–– our parents and life givers who extend back through our grandparents and all of our ancestors. 


What we carry forward through our lives should be a reflection of the grace of God and the best attributes of our parents and grandparents. Now that I have the blessing of hindsight, it is easy to see the imprint of my maternal grandfather Rev. Ray Elijah Hudson, who was also my first pastor in mentor, my maternal grandmother Amanda, my maternal grandfather and grandmother William and Essie Hayden (who were also Gospel singers and musicians). I also think about my maternal great grandfather, Reverend Frederick Williams. shown in this amazing photograph from the 1920s (top left).


One of the birthday greetings I received read, "I am thankful for knowing you and God having you in this world!" The thought of living one's life in the present world creates the feeling of hope, and expectation that one's life is making a positive impact on people in our world. On our birthday when we celebrate having life, we can also celebrate giving life, not only in parenting, but enriching others.

As we are also in the midst of the Christmas season, I cannot think of a better gift than giving hope and enriching the lives of people. I think this is the summary of the legacy looking back over my family. They were all people living life in order to give life to others.

We are all life givers.

God Bless and Be Encouraged!
~ Pastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min.

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Registration is open for our 32nd community Christmas Jesus Celebration and Outreach. I invite you to recommend persons in need of Christmas help and encouragement to register. Use this link:  https://www.newcovenant.org/communitychristmas



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Giving Thanks is a Foundation - Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute for November 23, 2022

Wednesday, November 23, 2022 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments


  

We know the thanksgiving holiday in the USA is Thursday, November 23.  We also know that we give thanks to God every day! This is one of the few holidays in which it is appropriate practice and celebrate every day.

Thanksgiving is foundational. One of my sayings is this: "Every good thing happens on a Firm Foundation."

David wrote in psalm 100:4, "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise. Be thankful to him and bless his name."

Giving thanks positions your heart, mind, and personality on the firm foundation of God's goodness and grace. The act of giving thanks clears the heart, settles the mind, and puts your emotions into balance.

For a believer, not giving thanks is injurious to your heart and mind:

Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 1:21, For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Think of giving thanks as a good rain that washes dust and dirt off of your sidewalk and driveway. More simply, think of giving thanks as a car wash. The accumulation of dirt and debris hides the true appearance of your car, or impedes your vision, when it covers a windshield.

However you choose to think about the importance of Thanksgiving, know that a lack of giving thanks to God introduces empty thinking and allows foolishness to seem normal. As the Apostle Paul wrote, for someone to know God, but not glorify him as God, or give thanks, is taking divinity into one's own hands. If we don't think God is worthy of our thanks or our attention, then our focus is misplaced.

So enter into God's presence every day in worship and prayer. Refresh yourself in that cleansing and encouraging encounter with Christ.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

God Bless and Be Encouraged!
~ Pastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min.

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Registration is open for our 32nd community Christmas Jesus Celebration and Outreach. I invite you to recommend persons in need of Christmas help and encouragement to register. Use this link:  https://www.newcovenant.org/communitychristmas

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Two Things That Change Your Life | Firm Foundation inspiration Minute for November 16, 2022

Tuesday, November 15, 2022 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments


  

Psalm 19:14, Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

We are living in a day of outrageous words and actions. Whatever a person does begins with meditations of his heart, followed by words spoken and actions taken.

David gave a guideline to a better life and a better world. His prayer to God, and his determination, was that the meditations (or thoughts) of his heart would be acceptable to God. He also asked that the words of his mouth would be acceptable.

Self-awareness is the beginning of many good things. I'm not speaking of self-awareness in a conceded sense, but in the sense of judging our own thoughts, words, and actions.

We know that our words, which come from my thoughts, are important because of what Jesus said in Matthew 12:36, "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment."

Idle speaks of empty, useless, and thoughtless words. Jesus also said in Luke 6:45, "For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."

This is why we pray, take devotional time with the Lord, are faithful in church and in all manner of Bible study. We want to develop the habit of godly self awareness, and then have the grace to make the words and meditations of our hearts acceptable to God.

God Bless and Be Encouraged!
~ Pastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min.

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Registration is open for our 32nd community Christmas Jesus Celebration and Outreach. I invite you to recommend persons in need of Christmas help and encouragement to register. Use this link:  https://www.newcovenant.org/communitychristmas


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Be Empowered. Empower Others. | Firm Foundation inspiration Minute for November 9, 2022

Tuesday, November 08, 2022 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments


  

Acts 10:38, How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

The scripture reread describes how God and powered Jesus to do good and heal people who were oppressed. The root of the word “empower” is “power” which is: ability to do or act; capability of doing or accomplishing something.

Power has to be gained, learned, imparted, or received from God and others. This is the basis of being empowered. Empowerment is defined as follows: The PROCESS of helping others obtain opportunities, develop skills, increase capacity and gain self-sufficiency.

Where would you be today without God and the people who empowered you? In the world were so many people were trying to pull something from you, thank God for those who try to put something in you. The nature of empowering is to provide the same ability and authority possessed by the giver.

When you reflect on it, there were pivotal moments and processes in life that empowered you. These moments came from parents, teachers, preachers, public servants, mentors, employers, and coaches. I have vivid memories of many of those pivotal moments.

Having been in ministry going on 44 years, 40 years of which serving as a pastor, my whole adult life has been given to empowering others. That's only because I have been in empowered by others.

Let me encourage you to get in position to receive what you need, increase your capacity, and then turn around and help somebody else grow, gain ability and capacity

Check the podcast and the video of my message from November 6, 2022  "EMPOWERED: How We Do What We Do.





God Bless and Be Encouraged!
~ Pastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min.

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Empowered! How We Do What We Do

Monday, November 07, 2022 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments




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Acts 10:35, But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all— 37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

The root of the word “empower” is “power” which is: ability to do or act; capability of doing or accomplishing something.

Power has to be gained, learned, imparted, or received from God and others. This is the basis of being empowered. The prefix “em-” or “en-” before an English word means, “in, into, within, inside”

Empowerment defined: The PROCESS of helping others obtain opportunities, develop skills, and gain self-sufficiency. “Empower” is an instance. Empowerment is the process.

Where would you be today without God and the people who empowered you?

Too many people and powers in life are only trying to extract something from you, not put anything into you.


Be Empowered! Get the most from yourself and life. "Principles of Empowerment" devotional available in print and Kindle editions. www.visionbooksmedia.com


The Greatest Motivator In Your Life - Firm Foundation inspiration Minute for November 2, 2022

Wednesday, November 02, 2022 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments


  

We're living in a day where motivations are moving people to do very good things and very bad things. What we are seeing is that a persons motivation is a culmination of their lifestyle, their upbringing, and most of all their belief system.

Motivations are not something that we can control if we've not already shaped our motivations towards godly thoughts and actions. As Jesus said, a tree is known by his fruit. So we need to pay attention to the kinds of trees that we are, because the fruit, the outcomes, of our lives are the result of the type of trees (or persons) we are.

Out of all the motivating forces in life, the greatest motivator is love. The apostle Paul wrote about the various spiritual gifts that Christ followers possess and exhibit. Many are motivated by their gifts, both spiritual and natural. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14:13, "And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

God is love, so when we are motivated by love, we are being motivated by God's greatest attribute.

The Apostle Paul went on to write in 1 Corinthians 14
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 [love] does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, [love] is not provoked, [love] thinks no evil; 6 [love] does not rejoice in iniquity, [love] rejoices in the truth; 7 [love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails.

Love is the motivating power that never fails! Check the podcast and the video of my message from October 30,"Motivation: Why we do what we do"

God Bless and Be Encouraged!
~ Pastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min.

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Motivation: Why We Do What We Do

Monday, October 31, 2022 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments




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2 Corinthians 5:14, For the love of Christ compels [controls] us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

These questions goes to the heart of our motives or motivations

1. Why do people do what they do?

2. Why do we do what we do?

3. Why do you do things you are doing?

What We Know From Experience and Education

There are two motivational types: intrinsic and extrinsic

Intrinsic motivation (or internal motivation) comes from within

Extrinsic motivation (or external motivation) refers to external factors that drive you to do something.

There is Another, Higher, Motivation

Paul explained it this way to the Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 12:31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

God is For You! Part 4 - IN SUMMARY: Nothing Too Hard for the Lord

Monday, October 24, 2022 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments




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Jeremiah 32:26, Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: 27 “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?

Micah 6:8 (NLT), O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Romans 8:37, Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

God is For You....Like a Flood! – Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute for October 19, 2022

Tuesday, October 18, 2022 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments


  

(“Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute” is a weekly encouragement. Subscribe to this blog to stay connected.) 

Glad to be back after a few weeks off preparing to celebrate our milestone 40th Pastoral and Church anniversary at New Covenant Church, serving God's people, as well as enjoying some vacation time in Europe with my wife Patricia. I know that many of my followers enjoy my photography, so on the blog I've posted some photos and video clips that you might enjoy.

Slideshow from Bryan & Patricia Hudson Nice, France Vacation


With all the pressures and challenges of life, it is essential and comforting to know God is for us. This is especially true when we are paying attention to Him. He loves us regardless of our state, but our goal is to be pleasing to the Lord. He draws near to us when we draw near to him.

I would like to share an insight from last Sunday's message in which we talked about solutions, answers, and hope. I used the phrase "There is an app for that." This became a parable for experiences during our vacation in which almost everything we did was helped by using an app on my iPhone. Life also has apps or applications of the heart and mind. We discussed this in the lesson on Sunday. Check out the podcast or view on our YouTube channel.

How we think, or our type of mindset, is a very important factor to the quality of our lives. It's important to have something that I will call "a solution mindset." Let me share a Scripture with you and explain what I mean.

Isaiah 59:19 reads, "So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him."

It is an encouraging thought that when the enemy comes in like a flood the Spirit of God raises up a standard. But I think there's a better way to look at this Scripture, especially in light of the fact that original Bible languages did not include punctuation. In our first reading the enemy is characterized as a flood coming in.

Let me offer this alternative reading of Isaiah 59:19:

When the enemy comes in, like a flood the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.

I'm not saying this reading is correct and the other one is wrong, this is an example of developing a solution mindset where we don't place as much emphasis on the trouble as on the answer. I like to think that it is the Spirit of God who brings the flood of blessing more than the enemy bringing a flood of trouble.

I like this quote from a book entitled The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday

“Just because other people say that something is hopeless or crazy or broken to pieces doesn’t mean it is. We decide what story to tell ourselves.”

The more you realize that God is for you, the more you will see that His solutions answers and hope are bigger than the problems we face.

God Bless and Be Encouraged!
~ Pastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min.

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God is For You! – Part 3: Solutions, Answers, Hope. (”There Is An App For That!”)

Monday, October 17, 2022 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments




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Romans 8:31, What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Develop a Solution Mindset

Isaiah 59:19, So shall they fear. The name of the Lord from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.

Consider this Scripture another way:

Isaiah 59:19, When the enemy comes in, like a flood the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.

Quotes From The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday

“Just because other people say that something is hopeless or crazy or broken to pieces doesn’t mean it is. We decide what story to tell ourselves.”

“You can take the trouble you’re dealing with and use it as an opportunity to focus on the present moment.”

Jesus often spoke in parables. I am going to use parables today.

Parables were a way to convey principles in an allegoric story that people could understand and relate to. A parable is a teaching method using the familiar to illustrate unfamiliar concepts.

The term app is short for application.

It is defined as: A computer program that is designed for a particular purpose
A program that you can download onto a mobile phone and use anytime

God is For You! – Part 2: The Power of Your Testimony

Monday, October 03, 2022 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments




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Romans 8:31: What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

What is a Testimony?

μαρτύριον - marturion: It is a witness as borne; a declaration of facts

Webster’s Dictionary: A solemn declaration usually made orally by a witness A testimony is the statement of your faith. What you believe.

A testimony is an explanation of what God has done in your life.
A testimony represents your chosen lifestyle. Your reputation.
A testimony encompasses your purpose and future actions.

Speaking is a kingdom principle. Of course, we think it, but there is something divine in saying it. Speaking is consistent with the nature of God.

Genesis 1:1, In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.

Matthew 12:36, But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.

Psalm 19:14, Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

1 Samuel 17:34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, 35 I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” 37 Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

40th New Covenant Church Pastoral and Church Anniversary Videos - "Determined By Destiny to Serve" | Recognition for Elder H.B. Hudson at Wheeler Mission

Thursday, September 29, 2022 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

(More Photos to come)

For Patricia and me, Sunday, September 25, 2022 was one of the most encouraging and memorable occasions of our lives. There are no words that can properly express the depth of love we have for our church family and friends of our ministry. In fact, September 25 was the day we launched our church 40 years ago!

Our theme is a statement of purpose, "Determined By Destiny to Serve." It is a phrase borrowed from one of my mentors, Dr. Earl D. Johnson.

The best thing Patricia and I can say is, "Thank you!"

Below are links to event presentations and the message by Dr. Jerry M. Williams: 

• My Reflections on 40 Years of Pastoral Ministry "He who plants and he who waters are one." (1 Cor. 3:8)
https://youtu.be/PI5Vr0HLuwY

• New Covenant Church 2021-22 in Review and Celebration
https://youtu.be/cLhD6RZwI9I

• Anniversary Service and Ministry in song by Jeremy Larnell Thompson
https://youtu.be/eC-VxMrFAjg

• Message by Dr. Jerry M. Williams
https://youtu.be/eC-VxMrFAjg?t=3534

• Greetings and Comments from Friends & Family
https://youtu.be/eAwVnmNWRUI

•  Pre-Anniversary Message, "God Is For You!"
https://youtu.be/ouSz6Mwb15Q

• Reflections on Multimedia In Focus Media Camp from a former participant, mentee, now an adult in his career.

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Special Recognition for Horace Bryan Hudson

On Tuesday, September 27, my father and our church Elder, Horace Bryan Hudson was recognized by Wheeler Mission Ministries for his 35+ years of volunteer service, where he (and my late mother) faithfully ministered to the men in song and in the Word. 

Award presented by Tammy Caldwell and William Bumphus III.



ROMANS ROAD 21-Day Devotional | Day 21 - ”Cancelling Complacency”

Wednesday, September 21, 2022 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments



DAY 21
(Lesson from Day 27 of the Book, Romans Road)

LISTEN

Romans 13:11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

One of the great dangers for Christians is complacency. Complacency is defined as: “A feeling of contentment or self-satisfaction, especially when coupled with an unawareness of a need”
Paul offers a powerful parallel using the word “sleep.” When we sleep we are unaware of our surroundings, oblivious to others, and unable to respond.

Christ Followers do not want to be “asleep in the light,” but alert and ready to serve God. While believers do not have darkness inside of them, we do not want to operate in darkness by failing to work with Christ or letting God have His way. Sometimes the works of darkness we need to cast off are things like simple distractions to living in God’s light. Simple things like watching too much television, engaging in too much leisure, or even constantly interacting on Facebook and social media can put us to sleep spiritually. None of these activities is wrong, but anything can become darkness when we fail to see the light of what God wants us to do.

The “armor of light” is a beautiful phrase putting us in the mind of being clothed with the power and grace of God. We are all wearing armor that both protects us and empowers us.


Reflection Question: What are 1-3 ways that you need to “wake up?”

Key insight I gained today:

Today’s action item based on insight:


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Order Your Copy of Romans Road on Amazon






ROMANS ROAD 21-Day Devotional | Day 20 - ”Basic Instructions”

Tuesday, September 20, 2022 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments



DAY 20
(Lesson from Day 24 of the Book, Romans Road)

LISTEN

Romans 12:9, Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

When the Spirit of Christ abides in you, God’s grace shapes your lifestyle. When the Bible provides direct instructions on how to live, understand that everything God requires, He has already provided. We are recognized by our faith and lifestyle. As Jesus said, “A tree is known by its fruit” (Luke 6:44). We are the “planting of the Lord.” (Isaiah 61:3)

God does not ask you to do anything that is not already part of your character in Christ. If this were not true, you would not be able to do what He asks. For example, in our own strength, it is not possible to be “kindly affectionate with brotherly love.” This is a virtue, like all the others, that comes from the grace of God within us.

You can always do what God said you can do!

Reflection Question: How is God helping you to help others?

Key insight I gained today:

Today’s action item based on insight:

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Order Your Copy of Romans Road on Amazon






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