Romans 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established— 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 

Romans 8:2, For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

Join me for a daily devotional through selected verses from the Book of Romans. This will not be a thorough study from Romans, but inspirational insights to encourage you.

The text from each lesson from the book will be posted here and at www.BryanHudson.com. You can purchase the print of Kindle edition of the book at www.Amazon.com

Be inspired and encouraged each day beginning Thursday, September 1!

John 2:23, Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. 24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men

Friends are not simply attracted to your “signs.”  (Outward)

Friends are attracted to your “standards.” (Heart)

We live in a celebrity culture. This doesn't mean that there's something bad about recognizing high profile persons. It's more about how people create mindsets centered around famous people.

During Jesus time on the earth, he was certainly a celebrity using today's standards. What we know about celebrities is that many of them are highly talented, highly skilled, and do great work. Professional athletes and great singers come to mind.

The problem with celebrity culture is the superficial mindsets of people who inflate that culture.

In our text, we read that many people believed when they saw the signs Jesus did such as healing people. There were many who were only attracted to the signs, or the outward displays, of God's power. 

As we later learned after Jesus' miracle, or sign, of feeding thousands of people with a few fish and loaves of bread, God's greater purpose was to lead people to a better life in Christ. When people followed Jesus to his next destination, He said to them, "You've come over here because you ate food and were filled." He then said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." (John 6:35)

Returning to our text, we read that "Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because he know all men." –– People who were superficial sign seekers were not persons to whom Jesus would commit himself.

People who are attracted to signs are poor candidates for becoming disciples of Christ. Genuine disciples, or followers, of Christ are attracted to standards, not only signs. 

It is okay to recognize the talent and skill of celebrity-level people, but don't fail to connect with Christ followers who offer you avenues to high standards and who are willing to directly serve you in the Spirit of Jesus.

God Bless and Be Encouraged!

Bryan Hudson, D.Min.

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Proverbs 17:17, A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. 

Proverbs 18:24, A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Ecclesiastes 4:9, Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Friend definition: Companion, fellow, fellow-citizen

Friendship is a Covenant Issue

•  It carries the burden of responsibility

•  It carries the blessings of benefits

Friends are not simply attracted to your “signs.”  (Outward)

Friends are attracted to your “standards.” (Heart)

John 2:23, Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. 24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, 

Jesus set the standard of friendship

John 15:13, Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.

James 1:22, But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

Last Sunday I concluded a series of teachings on the topic TODAY. The message was a summary entitled, "What Did We Learn? You can listen to the podcast, watch the video on YouTube, and download notes from all those teachings here on this blog.

As we reflected on what we learned,  I remembered the training I received in my Masters of Education program at Indiana University. My program was called Instructional Systems Technology, and was focused on instructional design, which is developing instructional methods and learning materials to be used by those who teach. This was a masters program the Lord encourage me to do, and I have found it very helpful for ministry.

One of the many concepts that stayed with me is something called, Transfer of Learning.

Transfer of learning occurs when people apply information, strategies, and skills they have learned to a new situation or context. Transfer is not a discrete activity, but is rather an integral part of the learning process.

Essentially, learning occurs when students can practice what they have received through instruction, including whatever activities went along with it such as projects, examinations, and application to one's life.

The Apostle James wrote, "Be a doer of the word and not a hearer only."  Until we do, we really haven't learned, and we truly do not know.

This is one of the reasons why I encourage our congregation to engage with the message after they've heard it. We post the messages to podcast, to YouTube, make notes downloadable, and sometimes include worksheets.

The idea of transfer of learning is a kingdom principal. Is there something you've heard that needs action? Remember, is not learning until it transfers into action.

God Bless and Be Encouraged!

by Pastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min.

www.BryanHudson.com

www.NewCovenant.org

This morning as I prayed about a theme and a Scripture in celebration of our 40th anniversary of church and pastoral ministry, and after some research I happened upon Psalm 33:11; 

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John 4:35, You know the saying, “Four months between planting and harvest.” But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest.

As we consider how God helps us, understand that in the Kingdom of God there is the principle of seedtime and harvest, sowing and reaping.

What will receive is ultimately an outcome of what we give.  Not only in the area of finance, but also in the area of serving and refreshing others. 

Proverbs 11:25 (NKJV), The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself

New International Version: A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

1 Corinthians 3:5 (NLT), After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us.

Sometimes we reach people directly. At other times we reach people through people who are appointed to the work.

The reward is the same regardless if you do it or support another who is doing it.

Watch Conversation with Duncan Sabwa, Director of GFE Children's Home

How do you start your day?

Thank you for beginning part of your Wednesdays with a Firm foundation Inspiration Minute.

Many years ago in college, I took a couple of classes about writing computer software. There was a phrase that went, "Garbage in, garbage out." The idea was that if your software looked bad and ran poorly, it was because the programming was not good. Computer software will only operate in the way it was programmed.

Let me extend that example to say that God himself has written our program. And it is good. It was good going in, and it is good coming out. We want to complement and not corrupt what God has given.

As you begin your day, always start with a download of the Word, prayer, and presence of God. We want to avoid getting a download of social media, people's rants or news channels! We know there's a lot of garbage in some of that type of media.

Thinking about this a different way, we've all seen floods and raging out-of-control water. We've also seen flowing rivers that nourish its surroundings.

Wrote in Psalm 46, "God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah  4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn."

So, at the beginning of today, and everyday, get into the river who streams shall make you glad.  Get into the river where God is in the midst of it and you shall not be moved. Get into the river with God helps you at the break of dawn––which means, every day.

God bless and be encouraged!

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2 Corinthians 4:16 (Amplified Bible), Therefore we do not become discouraged [spiritless, disappointed, or afraid]. Though our outer self is [progressively] wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day by day. 

KEY POINT

One of the reasons for TODAY is this:

Today is when life begins again!

“Renewed day by day…”

Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah 

4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;

God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.

KEY POINT

There two forces await us everyday

   1. Troubled Streams (Perishing)

   2. Streams That Make Glad (Renewing)

Where/how you focus as your day begins determines which stream you will enter into. 

WHAT COMES EVERY DAY?

1. Mercy:  God’s gift before and after faith. Prevention or lessening of consequences following our errors. 

Lamentations 3:22-24, Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

2. Benefits:  Provision, protection, grace to function, etc. 

Psalm 68:19, Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Selah

Matthew 6:11, Give us this day our daily bread.

3. Your Cross:  Opportunity to place others higher than yourself. Carry responsibility deny yourself, follow Christ, and serve God’s purposes.

Luke 9:23, Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

Proverbs 8:34, Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors

TODAY: Reflection & Application

1. In what ways I am being renewed TODAY?