The Blessings of Dedication: Position. Protection. Provision.

Wednesday, April 27, 2022 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments



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Mark 10:13-16 New Living Translation (NLT)
One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them

Ephesians 6:18
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 Lord’s people.

Six Types of Prayer
Supplication - Questions, specific requests
Intercession - Prayer for others
Agreement - Two or more persons
Thanksgiving - Worshiping God, giving thanks
Dedication - Set apart for God’s purpose
Prayer of Faith - For healing and major needs

The purpose of the prayer of dedication is to ask God to bless and set apart a person for His purposes. We can also offer prayers of dedication over facilities and anything used for God’s purpose.

Our responsibility is to never get between Jesus and children, but to train them to love God and recognize Him.

We all start out living on the faith our our parents.
We learn how to live in the grace of our own faith in God.

Position, Protection, and Provision are the Blessings of Dedication.

Check Yourself! We are Still Children in God’s Sight - Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute for April 27, 2022

Tuesday, April 26, 2022 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments


  

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

The Gospel of Mark 10:15 records these words of Jesus, "I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it." Verse 16 reads, Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them

We spend the first 21 years of our life growing out of childhood and into adulthood. It is interesting that Jesus said in order to enter the Kingdom of God, which is inclusive of Christ’s church and everything under His rule, we must receive it like a child. So why would you live your whole life just to become like a child?

Jesus was not talking about maturity level, He was talking about attitude.

On Sunday, April 24 we dedicated our 11-week-old grandchild, a beautiful little girl. As an infant, she is totally dependent on her parents. Even when she grows and becomes less dependent, she will still have complete trust in her parents. As a child, she won’t complicate anything about life. She will take everything on face value. She will be sincere and assume everyone around her is also sincere and genuine.

In all of our growing up and becoming mature, educated, and erudite, do not neglect to approach Jesus, and life, with the same attitude and disposition of a child. By this we will be able to get the most out of the Kingdom of God. 

After all, in God’s sight, we are still children.

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

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Jesus’ Resurrection Is An Everyday Blessing! - Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute for April 20, 2022

Tuesday, April 19, 2022 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments


  

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

Every year following Easter I like to remind myself and others that Jesus' resurrection is still relevant. Holidays are wonderful. The only downside is we tend to leave the meaning of the holiday behind once the holiday is over.

Easter or Resurrection Sunday is very different because what we celebrate is working for us every day. One of the Scriptures that brings this reality home is Ephesians 1:19, in which the Apostle Paul wrote, “And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.”

There is something “exceedingly great” working for you and me! It was activated when Jesus rose from the dead. Overcoming death was a game changer. Jesus has power over death and gives life.

God uses many elements in life to help us, from education, to medical science, to expert people, and more. Think of resurrection power as another element working on your behalf. As Christ followers, we find acceleration in the help and solutions that work on our behalf.

Another proof of the present day power of resurrection is Romans 8:11, “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”

LET THIS SINK IN: The same Spirit of God that raised Jesus from the dead 2000+ years ago is working in you today as a Christ follower!

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

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Risen! Rise! The Benefits of Resurrection Power Today!

Sunday, April 17, 2022 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments



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Philippians 3:10, That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Easter is not a celebration of religion. It is a warning to religion. Religious leaders during Jesus' time on the earth were angry that He liberated people from their influence and control. They didn’t see Jesus as an ally, they saw him as an enemy. He threatened to break their hold on people.

Religious practice reminded people of what they didn’t have and couldn’t get without self-appointed religious leaders.

• What would you do if you believed no one could hinder you?
• What would you do if you did not wait for someone to tell you it could be done?
• What would you do if you found out that Jesus gives you direct access to God and all His blessings?

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

What is Resurrection Power?

Ephesians 1:19, And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

Jesus’ resurrection is not only a past event, but a present day power!

That's why we say, "He IS risen," not he WAS risen. Jesus provided something that we could never provide for ourselves. Try to understand “Resurrection Life” as a way of living.

“Resurrection” is from the biblical Greek word: “Anastasis.” It is a combination of two words meaning: “up” and “to cause to stand.”

Jesus will take you as you are and where you are.
Jesus will raise you from spiritual death to new life.
Jesus will show you the exceeding greatness of God power
Jesus will release that power in your life.
Jesus, the Last Adam, will reverse the curse brought about by the first Adam.
Jesus will introduce you to a resurrected lifestyle.

Jesus helps you, and gives you the power to STAND UP in every area of life!

"Holy Week = Resurrected Life Every Day" - Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute for April 13, 2022

Tuesday, April 12, 2022 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments


  
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April 17, 2022 will be Easter Sunday, which I like to call Resurrection Sunday to place focus on Christ. There are “Easter Bunnies,” but there are no “Resurrection Bunnies.” I still don’t know where Easter bunnies came from!

As with our other major Christ focused holiday, Christmas, we want to celebrate the core reason of the season, indeed every season, Jesus Christ.

Part of the Easter Celebration includes what we call “Holy Week.” Tradition identifies each day of the week with special emphasis on Christ's path towards His sacrifice on the Cross. Friday represents Jesus crucifixion which we call “Good Friday.” Sunday is the day we celebrate Jesus' resurrection.

I would like to suggest that whatever you do this week, Holy Week, in celebration of Christ and whatever you've done over the past 40 days if you celebrated the Roman Catholic religious practice of Lent, continue doing in spirit and attitude every day.

As people, we have the bad habit of jumping in and jumping out of spiritual emphasis and focus. Sometimes religious practice reinforces jumping in and out because spiritual focus is temporary and people feel better or justified when “jumping back in.” The reality is this: “The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17), we don’t jump in and out by faith

If Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection means anything, it means being raised to a new life. Religion cannot keep you where relationship with Christ brought you. 

If you are a Christ Follower, challenge yourself to live a resurrected life everyday! 

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

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The Attraction of Universalism: “Have It Your Way”

Thursday, April 07, 2022 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments



In these times there are many strange doctrines. One of them is “universal reconciliation” or “universalism.”

It is the Burger King of doctrines: “Have It Your Way.“ (TM)

Universal reconciliation (also called universal salvation, Christian universalism, or simply universalism) is the doctrine that all sinful and alienated human souls—because of divine love and mercy—will ultimately be reconciled to God.

In essence, everybody is already saved without any acknowledgment of sin, rebellion, repentance, and submission to the Lord Jesus Christ.

God’s Love is based on Covenant, in which there are benefits and responsibilities. Universalism is only responsible to whatever it wants, not to Christ.

Universalism contradicts the Scripture which is why people who teach it avoid Scripture, misquote it, and diminish the authority of Scripture, in order to elevate their own ideas. As Jesus said, “…Teaching for doctrine the commandments of men.” (Mark 7:7)

With the proclamation of universalist teaching, and other false teachings, are “straw man” arguments—which is inventing arguments to argue against: Make an outrageous, attention grabbing statement and then provide an “answer” to it as a “solution.” An artifact and behavior of practitioner's doctrinal error is intolerance to disagreement and challenge.

Ultimately, universalism, and every other false doctrine, is an exercise in self-deception and exporting the same to others.

James 1:22, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.“

2 Timothy 4:1 (NLT) I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: 2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. 3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

Springtime and God’s Blessing on You - Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute for April 6, 2022

Tuesday, April 05, 2022 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments


  
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Isaiah 55:10-12, “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 so shall my word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."

Behind our home, looking through our kitchen and patio windows, one of the first signs of springtime are daffodils breaking through the soil and blooming in our neighbor's yard. There is also the change of color in our lawn as the grass seems to come back to life.

In the Book of Isaiah, God's purpose of prospering is compared to rain nourishing plant life and providing both seed for sowing and bread for eating. Cycles of nature are a reminder of the reliability of God's Word and promises. As Spring unfolds, signaled by flowers emerging and trees blooming, remember that God keeps all His promises, especially as you emerge from a long winter season in life.

Not only does God give you seed to sow, He blesses everything you have sown. Know that whatever "thing" you need, God assigns and provides resources to cause your purpose to prosper. These are not options or suggestions, these are facts of life for Christ followers.

Only be specific about the things you expect and need.

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

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The Law Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus, Part 2 - Two Kinds of Freedom

Monday, April 04, 2022 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments




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Romans 8:1, There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law [religion] could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Think of God’s systems/laws as you think about the law of gravity. It is everywhere on the earth, all the time. It works for you and can work against you––but it was designed for work for you.

“Made Free” Happens at Two Levels:

LEGAL (Formal): Salvation is a gift. You did not earn it. You have freedom through nothing you’ve done.

PRACTICAL (Everyday life): You have it, but then you learn to walk in it.

What we don’t do is seek to change things we don’t understand or that make us feel uncomfortable. What we do is learn and change.

Everyone has thought at one time or another that the Bible is wrong. Like anything in life that is highly developed, tested, and proven over a long time, it is infinitely more likely that we don't understanding something than something is actually wrong.

2 Peter 1:21 (NIV), For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

• Never place your speculation above proven knowledge and experience.
• Seek to understand. Don’t presume.
• Decide to have faith in God and His Word, or not.
• Feed your faith. Starve your doubts.

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