Matthew 5:13, You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
What it means to be the "Light of the World." - by Bryan Hudson, D.Min.
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Bryan Hudson
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What it means to be the "Light of the World" - by Bryan Hudson, D.Min.
Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
In this reflection, Dr. Bryan Hudson shares a renewed understanding of Jesus’ words, “You are the light of the world.” As he prepared for his sermon, he was reminded that believers are meant to shine light in the world, not just within the church. While fellowship is important, the primary mission is to impact society by addressing darkness with truth, love, and clarity.
Using his experience as a photographer, he compares overexposure—too much light in one place—to what happens when Christians focus only inward. Instead, we must bring light to places of injustice and confusion, including areas like diversity, equity, and inclusion. Speaking into real-world issues is part of the prophetic and biblical calling of God's people.
Dr. Hudson also reflects on Galatians 5:11, noting that the cross is offensive to those who rely on self-righteousness. Jesus' death and resurrection shift the focus from self to service. True purpose is found in reflecting God's light and serving others.
He concludes by urging believers to stop hiding within church walls and let their light shine in the world, as Jesus intended. He invites all to join his upcoming Sunday message on being both the light of the world and the salt of the earth.
This is Not Hard! – Some Scriptures that Support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Belonging)
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Bryan Hudson
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Resisting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is foolish, ungodly, and inhumane. The strategies we see against DEI are not wisdom from “above.” The people and their strategies are self-serving – at best.
James 3:15, This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.
Matthew 6:10, Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
Identifying qualified people from a diverse pool is easy - unless the motivation is affinity bias, or something worse.
DIVERSITY: The practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds.
Revelation 7:9-10 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
EQUITY: Treat with fairness and justice; Uphold a standard of righteousness
Proverbs 2:9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path.
2 Samuel 8:15 So David reigned over all Israel. And David administered justice and equity to all his people.
INCLUSION (BELONGING): The practice of providing access to opportunities and resources for people who are excluded or marginalized.
Acts 6:1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution
Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared"
"Easter Has Passed, But Resurrection Power is Still Here!" - Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute #166 for April 23, 2025
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Bryan Hudson
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“Easter Has Passed, But Resurrection Power is Still Here!”
Romans 8:11, But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Philippians 3:9 And be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 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.
Philippians 3:11 (Amplified) That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body]
Luke 14:25-27, Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
Multitudes wanted to hang around Jesus, but not truly follow Him. Being a true disciple of Christ is something altogether different.
Do not misunderstand the word "hate" in this Scripture text. The idea here is about priority, not neglect. Two things can be true: You can deeply love and always provide for your family, being present as much as humanly possible, and still put Jesus first. Remember that while Jesus hung on the cross suffering for our sins and preparing to die, He still had the presence of mind to tell John to take care of His mother.
Everyone decides what is priority in their lives. For many, Jesus, as well as things and people related to Christ, is not at the top of their priorities. Church attendance alone has nothing to do with being a disciple of Christ.
Never apologize for maintaining your priorities as a disciple of Christ. You may be misunderstood and even rejected, but your actual deeds will always speak louder than what people think or say.
Always rest in what God knows.
Jesus Paid It All! - Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute #165 for April 16, 2025
1 Corinthians 15:21, For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.”
From my Old Testament devotional reading from April 11, 2025
1 Samuel 17:38-39, Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. 39 David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So David took them off.
Saul was worried about David trying to face Goliath, so he tried the loan David his armor. We know that Goliath was some 9 feet tall. Saul was said to be "head and shoulders” above others in height, so he must have been over 6 feet tall. David is characterized as a smaller man, so he was likely under 6 feet tall.
Some thoughts as it relates to our context:
1. Something designed for others won't necessarily work for you.
2. If you go out to face a challenge with someone else's resources (armor), you will fail or the success will be shallow.
3. Develop your own skills and resources with God. (This is what God was doing with David all those solitary nights and days tending sheep and defending them from wild beasts)
4. You may have resources (armor) but you should not trust it more than you trust God.
5. The size of your obstacle has absolutely no bearing on what God will do if you allow Him to develop your skills and your faith.
6. David didn't only have faith in the moment when he faced Goliath, he had skills that came from walking in faith.
7. Take off stuff that is not part of your purpose.
Looking for Benefit, Missing the Responsibility.
Thursday, April 10, 2025
Bryan Hudson
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NOTE; From my New Testament devotional reading on April 10
Luke 10:25 (NIV) On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ “28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Most “experts” and religious leaders at that time didn’t know what to do with Jesus, so they tested him. To the man’s credit, he knew what the Scriptures said.
The expert asked Jesus how he might receive a BENEFIT, but heard about a RESPONSIBILITY. This is where we find many people today, looking to God for benefits, but not prepared to accept responsibility.
Jesus Christ is THE expert in knowing people! The man accepted the things over which he could have control, but that part about “Love your neighbor as yourself” challenged his status quo.
He asked, “Who is my neighbor?”
The text goes on to state that Jesus told a story about “a certain man” who was injured and needed assistance. A priest and a Levi looked at the injured man, but avoided him. They did not consider him a neighbor worth helping.
Then Jesus stated that it was a Samaritan that ended up loving the injured man like a neighbor. To religious Jews, a Samaritan was THE LAST PERSON one would consider a neighbor.
So, who is YOUR neighbor? He or she is your responsibility.
"When Your King Comes In" - Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute #164 for April 9, 2025
John 12:12,The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ The King of Israel!”
Serve God Only – Subdue All Enemies (Including Self)
Monday, April 07, 2025
Bryan Hudson
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Look at the outcome of God's people putting away "strange gods" and "serving God only:"
1 Samuel 7:3 And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. 4 Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the Lord only.
The Philistines showed up to test God's people:
7) And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel....
However, THIS TIME God's people were able to defeat the Philistines BECAUSE they served God only.
10) The Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel. 11 And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Bethcar.12 Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.
Moral to the story: Only serve God and your enemies will always be subdued by the hand of the Lord. The greatest enemy is self.
13) So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel
