Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

Psalm 145:5, "I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, And on Your wondrous works."

There is something life-lifting in meditating on the works of God. We often marvel at the works of man, but nothing compares to the works of God.  

David wrote in Psalm 19:1-3, The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard.

The heavens are the skies, both the daytime and night skies, going into space. The heavens declare God’s creative glory and his power to regulate all things. David said that day and night utter speech. It also reveals knowledge. God speaks to us through His creation and challenges us to expand our knowledge. Jesus used parables about nature to illuminate truth. Of course, I don’t suggest we worship nature or put nature on the level of God’s word and and person of Christ. I do suggest that you become more impressed with what God has done than what man is doing. 

I challenge you to elevate your thinking and remove yourself from the petty and pointless things of this world that compete for your attention. As a matter of fact, when you meditate on the glorious splendor of God's majesty and on His wondrous works, you will experience a reset in your outlook and in your thinking. By looking at a big God, you will see yourself in proper perspective and realize  your help and strength are available from Christ.

Psalms 19:12-14 concludes with these words of correction and reflection:

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Revelation 3:7

 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,

‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: 8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.”

 Colossians 3:23-24 NKJV

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for[a]you serve the Lord Christ

There is the work of the Lord, and then there is the Lord of the work. The two do not necessarily go hand-in-hand.

Affirmation:The Work & the Lord of the Work

• God has opened a door to me, not only to do His work, but to draw closer to the Lord of the work.

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1 Peter 1:13, The Amplified Bible 

So brace up your minds; be sober (circumspect, morally alert); set your hope wholly and unchangeably on the grace (divine favor) that is coming to you when Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is revealed.

Main Point: Having a proper mindset results in joy, success, and fruitful living, not only for yourself, but for others

Peter is not talking about a garment. He is referring to our minds:

• Deal with the loose ends that exist in our minds and emotions;

1. Renew your mind: Romans 12:2

2. Set your mind: Colossians 3:2

3. Focus your mind: Philippians 4:8

4. Use Your Faith: Hebrews 4:2

Winner’s Mindset Affirmations:

• By the grace of God, I am what I am

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The Amplified Bible reads in 1 Peter 1:13,

“Pray at all times—on every occasion, in every season—in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people).” Ephesians  6:18 Amplified (Also read  Timothy 2:1-4)

The Apostle Paul exhorted the Ephesians believers to pray with “all prayers" or "all manner of prayer." Prayer is certainly not a technical issue, so we don't have to fret about how we pray, so long as we are earnestly praying to God.

That said, it is helpful to examine and practice all types prayers so that we may  be more focused and motivated to pray. The scriptures show various types of prayers. Below is brief overview of common types of prayer.

1. Prayer of supplication. 1 Kings 8: 37-40, 54 - 55, Luke 11: 9 - 13, James 5: 17-18

2. Prayer of intercession. Genesis 18: 22-33 (Abraham) 1 Kings 18: 41-46 (Elijah) 2 Kings 4: 32-36 (Elisha) Acts 12:1-18 (The early church)

When we pray earnestly for other people, we enter into the realm of intercession, in which we present people and their needs to God. There is also a dimension to intercession where we "stand in the gap" for people for special blessing or protection. (Eze. 22:30)

3. Prayer of faith. Mark 11:12-14, Mark 11:20-25, Luke 7: 1-10, James 5:13-18, Matthew 9:18-26

4. Prayer of agreement.  Genesis 11:1-9, Matthew 18: 19-20, Exodus 17: 8-13, Psalm 133: 1-3, Acts 4:23, Hebrews 10: 24-25

5. Prayer of praise, worship and thanksgiving. Psalm 100, Acts 16:16-34, Psalm 149:4-9

6. Prayer of Dedication. 1 Kings 8:62-64, Mark 14:36, Acts 7:59, 9:6, 13:3, 14:23

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1 Timothy 6:10 

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses

Everything Is Filtered Through Your Mind

Walking by Faith is not a mental exercise, but our minds play a role in our faith walk.

In particular, we have to wrestle with our own thinking, imaginations, and reasonings as a relates to the Word of God. 

What is Faith? 

Hebrews 11:1, Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Moffatt’s Translation:

Now faith means that we are confident of what we hope for, convinced of what we do not see.” 

New English Bible 

“Faith gives substance to our hopes