A Mandate for Motivation



1 Corinthians 16:13 (NKJV) Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 

 1 Corinthians 16:13 (NASB) Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.

 Here are four mandates for positive motivation for men, fathers, and all believers in Christ. 

 1. Stand firm in the faith
2. Courage / Act like men
3. Be strong
4. Let all that you do be done in love

 We can only experience an enriched life when we allow the grace the God to provide motivation through faith, courage, strength, and love every day!

Other Bible translations render the phrase “act like men” as “be courageous.” The Bible Greek definition for "act like men" means, "to make a man of, or make brave, to show one's self a man, be brave.” Brave defined: Ready to face and endure danger or pain. 

 At our best, men and fathers are a picture of bravery, protection, provision, leadership, and daring exploits. Given all the challenges and failures faced by too many men, that are highlighted day by day in the media, we should be more thankful for those men and fathers who “act like men.”

 Listen to my Father’s Day messages, “Act Like Men” on the Firm Foundation Podcast. Share it with men, fathers, and others.

 iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/firm-foundation-with-bryan-hudson/id81271386
Podbean: https://bryanhudson.podbean.com/e/act-like-men-the-mandate-the-malady-the-motivation/

(Video Teaching) , "Stand, Fully Armed, Overcoming the Strategies of the Wicked One."

Becoming Real Life "Men of Steel"






Gen 49:22 Joseph is a fruitful tree, A fruitful tree by a well; His branches run over the wall.

 Eze. 22:30, I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. 

 The fictional character "Superman" is called the "Man of Steel." 

 There are real life Men of steel who are transformed by God, the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God. Like the forging process that transforms raw iron into steel, God transforms males into men.

 God created men to get things done. Guys who sit around doing nothing, or doing harmful things, are contrary to God's nature and to His purpose for men and boys. Remember that boys are just little men in development. Being male or man is not only a matter of physical attributes or outward appearance. There are also factors in the soul and heart that define a man.

 Males and boys need to become "Men of Steel." No, not like "Superman," the imaginary superhero character, from an imaginary place, with imaginary powers. I'm thinking about real men of steel like my father and grandfathers who laid a firm foundation in my life!

 In athletics, I think about the retired NBA basketball player, Karl Malone, who became known as "The mailman", because "He delivered."

 In the working world, I think about U.S. Postal Service mail carriers who are also called "mailmen." We've heard the motto,  "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” Mail carriers deliver regardless of the circumstances.

 We are living in a day that is not unlike the days in which Joseph and Ezekiel lived. Because of fallen human nature, sin and corruption have plagued men, people and society in every generation.

 God said, “I looked for a man.” This Hebrew word for "man" is not the word meaning "person," man or woman. It is the Hebrew word meaning “male.” Why did God say he looked for a man? Because men can often do the most harm or the most good.  Indifferent and irresponsible men can cause abuse and neglect that wreck havoc on our society. However, engaged and responsible men and can bring deliverance and healing to our society.

 God said, “ I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land…”

 The wall represents the moral and righteous structure or barrier that supports a blessed and fruitful life. The wall both sustains and protects inhabitants of the house.

 The gap or breach is the space between unfinished or broken sections of a wall. Now, what happens to a wall that is repeatedly broken in places? It weakens and falls. Today, because of the Lord Jesus Christ and his work of redemption, we have hope. We have men who can stand in the gap and make up the hedge.

 Paul told his spiritual son Timothy, "Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us." (2 Tim. 1:13-14)

 The Greek word for “pattern” is “typos." Typos is the mark of a stroke or blow, like old style printing.  It is a figure formed by a blow or impression. Boys need to see and hear a pattern, which are words and examples that are impressed upon their minds and hearts. Patterns of sound words cause boys to become men, and males to become men of steel.

 Joseph became a man of steel in fulfillment of the words of his father Jacob: "Joseph is a fruitful tree, A fruitful tree by a well; His branches run over the wall." (Gen. 49:22)

 Joseph was thirty when the promotion came (Genesis 41:46). He was seventeen when he was sold into slavery (Gen. 37:2). He had thirteen years of challenges, confusion, not knowing why he was going through situations he did not create for himself. From the Pit, to the Potiphar’s Place, to the Prison, and finally to Pharoah’s Palace.  Joseph proved God’s pattern in his life. He endured the tests, held to his character, and transformed into a man of steel. He became that "fruitful tree." He ultimately saved his whole family and nation in a time of famine.

 Again, men of steel are males who are transformed by God, the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God. Like the process that transforms raw iron into steel, God transforms males into men.

 Example of how iron becomes steel: "Steel is the most refined metal that can be made from iron.  In the blast furnace, where impurities are removed from the iron, and other key chemicals are added, the iron becomes a much stronger metal.” (Wikepedia)

 Like Joseph, Peter, Paul, and even our Lord Jesus, experiences test and grow our faith. The love of God works in our lives like the refining fire that transforms steel from corruptible to incorruptible.

 We become men of steel through the grace of God!

Listen to Podcast of message by Pastor Bryan Hudson, "Mail Men: Guys That Deliver"

“Stand - Put On the Whole Armor of God,” Part One (Audio)




Listen to podcast on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/firm-foundation-with-bryan-hudson/id81271386
Listen to podcast on Podbean: https://bryanhudson.podbean.com
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles [strategies]  of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,
Strategy: A plan of action or policy designed to achieve a major or overall objective.
Tactic: The actual means used to gain an objective.
The devil’s overall aim is to hinder and disrupt God's plan in the lives of believers and prevent unbelievers from coming to faith in Christ. 
His tactics involve the use of dark spiritual forces, people, circumstances, and our own carnal minds. The most effective strategies are specifically designed and tailored to disrupt you.
Some well know strategies and tactics of warfare:
1. When the enemy is too strong to attack directly, then attack something he holds dear. Somewhere there is a gap in the armour, a weakness that can be attacked instead.
2. Delay entering the field of battle the others have become exhausted fighting amongst themselves. 
3. Never directly attack an opponent whose advantage is derived from its position. Instead lure him away from his position thus separating him from his source of strength.
4. Prepare a trap then lure your enemy into the trap by using bait. In war, the bait is the illusion of an opportunity for gain.
5. When faced with an enemy too powerful to engage directly you must first weaken him by undermining his foundation and attacking his source of power.
6. Disrupt the enemy's formations, interfere with their methods of operations, change the rules in which they are used to following, go contrary to their standard training. 
We also see this tactic manifest as "hidden agendas" were people keep something purposely hidden from people, usually authority figures, in order to accomplish a usually illegitimate, illegal, immoral or self-serving purpose.
7. Hide behind the mask of a fool, a drunk, or a madman to create confusion about your intentions and motivations. Lure your opponent into underestimating your ability until, overconfident, he drops his guard. Then you may attack.
8. Defeat the enemy from within by infiltrating the enemy's camp under the guise of cooperation, surrender, or peace treaties.

Expectation: The Key to Excellence in Leadership and Follow-ship (Audio)



Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust. O my soul, you have said to the LORD, "You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You. And to the saints who are on the earth, "They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight."(Psalms 16:1-3)
For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. (Romans 8:19)
According to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. (Philippians 1:20)
Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. (Philippians 3:1)
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, 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. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. (Hebrews 12:1-3)
Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. (Hebrews 13:7, 17)
Expectation defined: The state of one who looks forward to something; Expectancy, Anticipation, Something that is expected; Hope, Intention, Motive, Notion, Prospect
Expectation is cultivated by focus, placing our attention to the right/best things, having high standards, mutual submission, and good ethics.
One of the greatest things we can do for one another, and for ourselves, is to have high expectations. We live in a world of low expectations followed by low achievement and low morals. It has been shown that people will rise to meet the reasonable expectations of parents, leaders and other key persons in one’s life.  Leadership and fellow-ship are essential ingredients.
Leaders’ and followers’ characteristics and expectations. 
We all alternately lead and follow. How will we follow creates moral authority to lead. Leadership and follow-ship must be in balance as it relates to mutual responsibility and covenant relationship.
Philippians 2: 2 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others
LEADERSHIP
L oving support, direction, and re-direction when needed 
E ncouragement during difficult seasons
A ccountability to others
D evotion to God in every area of life
E ffective prayer life that bears fruit
R eadiness to go first where others are expected to follow
S teadfastness in doctrine and service
H igher goals and standards which lifts others to new dimensions of living
I ntegrity and honesty in all dealings
P reaching and teaching anointed of God, born of extensive preparation
FOLLOW-SHIP
F earlessly, strongly and visibly support recognized leaders
O pen heart to new understanding and new directions
L ove your leaders with covenant love; do not allow others to “run them down” 
L earn from their example; be inspired by the works of God manifested through them
O ppose satan in any way he tries to manifest himself; cover your leaders and God’s vision through intercessory prayer and supplications
W ork and move constantly toward the stated vision and shared goals; search for the wisdom of God in helping to bring the vision to pass
S upport leaders publicly and privately, recognizing the enemy’s efforts to “smite the shepherd and scatter the sheep”(Zechariah 13:7)
H helping leaders by responding quickly and removing concerns
I  nsight on mission, messages, methods
P reared to serve when called upon and helping when not called upon
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