Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson Bryan Hudson

The Amplified Bible reads in 1 Peter 1:13,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.When we get news about an impending storm, we brace ourselves. We tighten up things that are loose and shelter things that are exposed.This life presents many types of storms against our minds. So bracing up our minds makes as much sense as preparing for any storm.NKJV reads 1 Peter 1:13, Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.The revelation of Jesus is not only His second return. The revelation of Jesus is how you see Him in your heart and mind before you see Him with your eyes.There is a condition called AphantasiaAphantasia is a very rare phenomenon in which people are unable to visualize. Imagine that it is a warm summer day and you are sitting at a beach or on the side of a swimming pool. Can you see that? People with aphantasia cannot visualize. This is a condition out of the control of people who have it.But I would like to suggest that we can and must cultivate the ability to see Jesus of God's better purposes in all of our circumstances.According to our text, bracing up your minds involves being sober, which means serious minded and morally alert. You also set your hope and expectations on the grace and divine favor of God.Your biggest challenge is keeping your mind stayed on Him. This is part of what we call the masterpiece mindset.You can do this, so do it! Amen!

“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: 17-18Supplication is a specific request. Theses three scriptures show people were seeking (or asked to seek) for something specific. When you know what is needed, you can offer a prayer of supplication.
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)To intercede means to plead or mediate on behalf of another person. Jesus intercedes for us (Hebrews 7: 25). The Holy Spirit prays for us and through us as we pray in the Spirit (Romans 8: 26 - 27).
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 9:18-26The prayer of faith is a supernaturally confident type of prayer, that is absent of doubt. The woman with the issue of blood (Matthew 9) knew that touching Jesus would get her healed. Her faith gave her the strength to press through the crowd. Strong faith and boldness accompany the prayer of faith. This manner of faith releases special blessings and miracles.
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: 24-25The prayer of agreement occurs when two or a few people come together (the fewer the better), in agreement with one another and with the Word of God on something God wants to do. The prayer of agreement is connected the authority of God has vested in His church. Prayers of agreement can multiply the effects of God blessings beyond what one can do by oneself.
5. Prayer of praise, worship and thanksgiving. Psalm 100, Acts 16:16-34, Psalm 149:4-9Praise, worship and thanksgiving can be a form a prayer that brings us into the presence of God. When we praise and thank God, we are affirming our faith in Him. This pleases God and helps our faith. Praise and thanksgiving disarm two of the most deadly enemies to our Christian walk, doubt and fear. No wonder the scriptures call praise a two edged sword (Psalm 149: 4-9)
6. Prayer of Dedication. 1 Kings 8:62-64, Mark 14:36, Acts 7:59, 9:6, 13:3, 14:23The prayer of dedication is used to consecrate or dedicate someone or something to God. In the Old Testament, priests, altars, and tabernacles were dedicated by prayer. In the New Testament, Jesus and others dedicated (or ordained) disciples, apostles, elders deacons to the work of God.

Listen to My Message From Sunday, July 7, 2024
The Good Fight of Faith
DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE SLIDES

 DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE SLIDES
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
 
 
 
 
 

1 Tim. 6:11 But 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
 
2 Cor. 2:14, Now thanks be unto God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ, and makes manifest the fragrance of his knowledge by us in every place.
 
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
 
Sometimes you want to win because of who is watching. That is the value of living in the light and letting people see your good works. 
 
We don't fight the good fight of faith to win. We fight the good fight because we have already won. That's why is a GOOD fight!
 
Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith

"Your Assignment to Guide Others” – Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute #124 for June 26, 2024