Merry Christmas! Jesus: Born to You - Firm Foundation inspiration Minute #150 for December 25, 2024 - Community Christmas Outreach Highlights

Tuesday, December 24, 2024 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments


“Merry Christmas! Jesus: Born to You”




Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11)


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The Joy of New Life in Christ | Christmas Message

Monday, December 23, 2024 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments



Watch Community Christmas Outreach Highlights


Luke 2:8, Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a [d]manger.”13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14  “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

SUMMARY

The message, The Joy of Christ in Christmas by Pastor Bryan Hudson, emphasizes the profound joy brought by the birth of Jesus Christ. Drawing from Luke 2:10 and other scriptures, Pastor Hudson highlights the contrast between busy Bethlehem and the serene shepherds’ field, where the angelic announcement of "good tidings of great joy" was made.

Jesus’ humble birth in a manger symbolizes His identification with everyday people and His purpose as a Savior for all. The wise men’s gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—prophetically speak to Jesus’ royalty, deity, and sacrificial death.

The message celebrates Christ as the ultimate gift, offering new life and joy that transcends life’s challenges. By embracing this gift, believers can rise above circumstances, share His joy through giving, and live a life of praise and gratitude. Ultimately, the sermon calls believers to reflect the spirit of Christ’s love and joy in their daily lives.



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"J.O.Y." - Firm Foundation inspiration Minute #149 for December 18, 2024

Wednesday, December 18, 2024 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments


“J.O.Y.”

  



Luke 2:8, Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And [c]behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 
 


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“Love & Serve: A Year of God's Favor” - Pastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min.

Monday, December 16, 2024 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments




Summary of Pastor Bryan Hudson's Sermon:
“Love & Serve: A Year of God's Favor”

Pastor Bryan Hudson emphasizes that 2024 has been a year for highlighting the enduring nature of God’s promises and the importance of embracing His favor both spiritual and natural. The sermon focuses on the New Covenant Church mission of Loving God, Loving People, Serving the Word, which is foundational to the Christian walk. Dr. Hudson calls on believers to express their faith through acts of service, motivated by God’s love for humanity and our love for one another.

Key Themes:

1. God’s Favor:

◦ • God's favor manifests in both natural and supernatural ways.

◦ • Favor involves God's provision, protection, and influence over circumstances and people.

◦ • Believers are encouraged to align with God's work rather than waiting passively.

2. Foundations of Faith:

◦ • The foundation of a believer's life is God’s love for us and our reciprocal love for others.

◦ • Living out this love requires simplicity and focus.

3. Freedom in Christ:

◦ • Using Christian liberty to serve others, not for selfish gain, reflects God’s love.

◦ • Service includes helping those in need, visiting homes, and sharing blessings selflessly.

4. Godly Motivation:

◦ • True motivation stems from love—God's love for us and our love for others.

◦ • Other motivations (e.g., external rewards, self-image, or control) often fall short and can lead to selfishness or harm.

5. The Mission of Christ:

 ◦• Jesus came to proclaim freedom for captives, give sight to the blind, and declare God’s favor.

◦ • His mission inspires believers to bring hope and practical aid to those in need.

6. Love and Service:

◦God's love is universal, sacrificial, and giving, unlike the world's love, which is often narrow and self-serving.◦ The church’s mission—"Loving God, Loving People, Serving the World"— encourages believers to reflect Christ’s example in their daily lives.

Practical Application:

• Loving God: Through prayer, worship, study, and quiet reflection.

• Loving People: By sharing the gospel, making disciples, and meeting people where they are.

• Serving the World: Demonstrating love through actions, often without words, to reflect Christ’s character.

Closing Reflections:

Dr. Hudson concludes by acknowledging the legacy of love passed down from previous generations and encouraging believers to follow their example. He challenges the congregation to embody God’s love and favor as they approach a new year, ensuring their lives reflect the vision of love and service.


The message closes with a prayer of thanksgiving, celebrating the work of God

throughout the year and looking forward to continued blessings and opportunities for

service



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"Love & Serve" - Firm Foundation inspiration Minute #148 for December 11, 2024

Tuesday, December 10, 2024 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments


“Love & Serve”

  



Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—o bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
 


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"Have You Made a Peace Offering?" - Firm Foundation inspiration Minute #147 for December 4, 2024

Wednesday, December 04, 2024 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments


“Have You Made a Peace Offering?”

  



1 Thessalonians 5:18, In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you

Leviticus 7:11 ‘This is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings which he shall (or “may offer”) offer to the Lord: 12 If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer, with the sacrifice of thanksgiving, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, unleavened wafers anointed with oil, or cakes of blended flour mixed with oil.

Listen to My Message From Sunday, December 1, 2024
 


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Racism: A Matter of Tolerance or Zero-Tolerance | By Bryan Hudson, D.Min.

Monday, December 02, 2024 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments





[UPDATED 12/6/24 -- Article in progress, bookmark to read the latest revisions – Input welcome]

“Each of us holds the power to determine what we will and will not tolerate within our spheres of influence.”

Our current environment has given rise to numerous expressions of hate, disrespect, and racism towards people of color, particularly African-Americans.

This is not a new phenomenon, but the 21st-century media platforms have amplified all communications, opinions, and expressions of hatred at an alarming rate. The presidential election of 2024, featuring an immensely qualified Black woman against a White man, served as a catalyst for racist and sexist rhetoric. The intensity and prevalence of these attitudes and sentiments reached unprecedented levels. This is no ordinary White male, but one with a documented history of lies, racism, abuse of women, fraud, and instigating an insurrection against the same constitutional government he swore to protect.

It is more insidious than mere words and actions when individuals offer “tacit" support, which means persons understand and support something without explicitly expressing it.

At 68 years old and having studied, written, and been active on matters of race in our nation, I see three things in a lot (not all!) of White culture:

1. Being in one’s feelings rises above almost every other concern, even to the extent of being willing to ignore/alter American history, change Black history curriculum, and hinder truth-telling.
2. Self-service is too prevalent. Deriving a benefit or credit should not be the objective.  
3. Zero tolerance for racism/hatred is lacking. We all need to address bad behaviors within our circles. Black folk cannot effectively correct White folk, and vise versa. 

Any student of history (supported by source documentation) and current events can readily discern the patterns and threads of actions that shape our current circumstances. That history and current events form the basis of this statement:

Within the United States of America, racism is not only a stain on the fabric of our nation, but racism is part of the threads that form the fabric of our nation.

This article will soon include source documentation to include examples of “threads” of racism at the founding of our nation, such as allowing the enslavement of fellow humans made in God's image and likeness, when it could have been avoided for righteousness sake (at great cost!),

Allow me to also share this perspective:

The fabric of the United States of America is not all bad. Throughout our past and present, many courageous White Americans have stood on the right side of history, often making great sacrifices to champion justice and equality. We honor and celebrate their efforts in support of heroic African American men and women, whose contributions have shaped the nation.

What is troubling, however, is the persistent tolerance for language and actions intended to demean, hinder, or harm Black people. Another artifact of this disrespect is the embrace of false narratives, and efforts to misrepresent history, leading to the miseducation of students as it relates to American history.

”Tolerance,” in this instance, reflects what an individual or society is willing to accept or permit. Each of us holds the power to determine what we will and will not tolerate within our spheres of influence.

While it is clear what overt racists are willing to tolerate, the deeper concern lies with those who stand by, silently allowing or enabling such behavior. Their complicity, whether intentional or not, perpetuates harm and allows injustice to persist.

The righteous and helpful posture is zero-tolerance of racism. 

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Some examples below were gathered in a few minutes from Twitter/X which has ended nearly all moderation under Elon Musk. This is pervasive and targeted nearly 100% at Black people:

People continue to deny racism against Black people in our nation. All one needs to do is look at comments on posts by the NAACP, famous Black people, etc. We also see it reflected in the myriad of anti-Black responses related to “anti-woke,” “anti-DEI,” Black history curriculum, and similar. These are responses from Internet “trolls,” whom we ignore, but the sentiments and allowance of hatred represent some of the “threads” of our nation.

Response to Former President Barack Obama Thanksgiving Greeting:


Comments about the NAACP


Comments about NFL Coach Mike Tomlin



Intentional false teaching about the 1921 Tulsa Massacre by White Racists

Another example of racist threads within the fabric of our nation. Oklahoma superintendent wants teachers to lie about the 1921 Tulsa massacre, excluding facts of White racism. Essentially saying, “leave race out of it.” So Black people did it to themselves? 
History should not be adapted to suit the feelings of people or to place anyone in a false position from a historical perspective. Obviously, not all White people participated in this horrible massacre of 300 Black people and the destruction of a prosperous and thriving Black community. Why would an education superintendent participate in lying about history and covering the evil deeds of people in 1921? 




Miseducation in Florida Schools About Rosa Parks' Legacy


The original text stated, “was told to move to a different seat because of the color of her skin.” This was changed because the “Anti-Woke” law in Florida.

Race was excluded from Rosa Parks’ story in the revised weekly lesson text for Florida schools. Rosa Parks was arrested for not giving up her seat to a white man. This action led to the Montgomery bus boycott. Black people exercised their unalienable rights and pushed back against White racism and segregation.

There's no reason that accurate history cannot be taught, except that there are white folks who want to remove all references to documented white supremacist actions.

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Book:
Biblical & Social Justice: What Is It?” An Everyday Person’s Guide to Understanding 
Justice and the Role of the Church in Our Society



 ~ Bryan Hudson

Giving Thanks: Not Only a Day - A Foundation – by Pastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min.

Monday, December 02, 2024 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments




Sermon Summary: “Giving Thanks—Not Only a Day, A Foundation”

Dr. Bryan Hudson emphasizes that Thanksgiving should be more than a holiday—it’s a foundational lifestyle of gratitude. Drawing from scripture, he explores how giving thanks transcends circumstances, reflecting a heart rooted in peace and faith.

Key Scriptures: Colossians 1:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Leviticus 7:11-15

1. Thanksgiving as a Foundation:

• Thanksgiving is not tied to obligation but arises spontaneously from a grateful heart.

• True praise and offerings—whether financial, time, or acts of kindness—should be willing and joyful, not out of duty or legalism.

2. Peace Offerings and Sacrificial Praise:

• Peace offerings, as distinct from many other types of OT offerings, express worship unconnected to sin or obligation.

• In the New Testament, Jesus becomes our peace offering, bridging divisions and enabling us to live in grace and freedom.

3. Practical Application:

• Cultivate gratitude: Acknowledge blessings—both asked for and unexpected—and express thanks through words, actions, and offerings.

• Develop a lifestyle of praise and worship, independent of external circumstances.

• Avoid callousness and indifference by maintaining a spirit of thankfulness toward God and others.

4. Key Takeaways:

• Thanksgiving fosters peace, and peace inspires thanksgiving, creating a positive spiritual cycle.

• Gratitude keeps believers in God’s presence (Coram Deo), fostering perpetual joy and strength beyond circumstances.

Dr. Hudson concludes with encouragement to embrace thanksgiving as a daily, spontaneous expression of worship and gratitude, rooted in God’s peace and goodness.


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