Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

Isa 43:19, Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert....21 This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise.

A paradigm is an example serving as a model or pattern. A paradigm shift is an important change that happens when the usual way of thinking and doing is replaced by a new and different way.

On this side of the paradigm we only know the way things have been and the way that things are. Only other side of your paradigm there is innovation, creation, and new levels of provision.

One of the ways to detect a paradigm shift in progress is when God challenges your comfort zone. God begins to challenge your methods and call for doing things differently. A shift is coming when you begin looking at things that have seemed useless, neglected, and barren, like a wilderness. Complaining brings a mandatory paradigm shift because God will not tolerate complaining. It is an indication of a bad mindset.

Every new assignment and journey in God requires a paradigm shift. A lot of our methods, habits, and ways of thinking and acting have to change.

Look for new things in "barren" places. God is already working on your behalf!

Jeremiah 48:11 Moab has been at ease from his youth; He has settled on his dregs, And has not been emptied from vessel to vessel, Nor has he gone into captivity. Therefore his taste remained in him, And his scent has not changed. 12 “There- fore behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “That I shall send him wine-workers Who will tip him over and empty his vessels and break the bottles.”

This text shows the dangers of complacency, or of being unwilling to change for the better. Moab has been “at ease” or living in comfort. On its face, being comfortable is not an evil condition, but it comes with its own dangers.

God designed us to grow and develop, not remain the same. “Dregs” are the sediment that gather at the bottom of a container of wine. Filtering wine is necessary for preserving the flavor and maintaining its purity. Wine is filtered when carefully emptied from one vessel to an- other, resulting in the dregs being left behind. When God allows us to be emptied out, the purpose is to leave something undesirable behind, and to enhance our “flavor” and purity.

Note some of the key words in the text that describe the condition:

“At ease” ~ Unchallenged, not growing to maturity
“Settled on his dregs” ~ An unchanged state, dwelling in things that can eventually bring ruin
“Taste has remained” ~ Old appetites and desires continue
“Scent has not changed” ~ No difference that can be detected by others

What is the solution? God sends “wine-workers” such as pastors, preachers, prophets, and teachers to “tip him over.” Being tipped over is God's way of helping people change.

When we do not voluntarily practice emptying ourselves in God's presence, we get tipped over by one of God's servants who brings a word from the Lord. Sometimes circumstances do the tipping over. Also, to help us not return to our former ways, God allows the “bottles” to be broken.

Are you at ease today? Go empty yourself before Him, or be emptied by Him.

Key insight I gained today:

Today’s action item based on insight:

1 John 2:1 (NLT) My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. 2 He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

It is always God's will that we do not commit sin. The word “sin” is an archery term that means “miss the mark.” Christians do not sin because of an unregenerate heart, but because of disobedience to God in allowing darkness to invade our light. This does not make it “less wrong” than sin committed by unsaved people.

The difference for believers is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our advocate. An advocate is “one who pleads an- other's cause.” An advocate is like a lawyer. When we repent of any sin, Jesus pleads our cause before God which leads to cleansing and restoration.

Repentance is no casual act. Sin is serious business because it mocks our relationship with God and produces hypocrisy by bringing darkness into light. John wrote in 1 John 1:5-7:
“This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. 6 So we are ying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. 7 But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.”

Thank God for Jesus! Stay in the light!

Key insight I gained today:

Today’s action item based on insight:

Psalms 102:27 (NLT) But you are always the same; your years never end. 28 The children of your people will live in security. Their children's children will thrive in your presence.

This Psalm of David began with the words, “ A prayer of one overwhelmed with trouble, pouring out problems before the Lord...” (v. 1) David reflected the pressure he was feeling back to God. David, as a shepherd, was also carrying a burden of care for the people he served. In another era, Peter said, “Cast all your cares on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

In God's presence, tell Him everything that is on your heart, including your concern for others. This is not to inform the Lord, because He knows all things. You “cast it” so that you will not continue to carry that pain, disappointment, or pressure after spending time with the Lord.
Problems don't cease to exist after you give them to the Lord, but the absence of feeling overwhelmed makes it easier for you to find answers and see solutions.

The closing words of Psalms 102:27 shows David's resolution and encouragement as he ended his time with the Lord by recognizing that God alone offers stability, security and future success.

Key insight I gained today:

Today’s action item based on insight:

Colossians 1:27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

J.B. Phillips translation says: “...Christ in you, the hope of all glorious things to come.” This reveals that every hope that God has put in your heart will have a glorious manifestation. Nothing in God is mediocre or insignificant.

The key to realizing the “hope of glory” is to know that Jesus lives on the inside of us and desires to express Himself in fulfillment of every hope.

Hope is not based on circumstances, but our interpretation of the outcome of circumstances. Like the 12 spies in Numbers 13, either you interpret the “giants” are stronger than you, or you interpret that you are “well able,” with God's help, to overcome giant-type obstacles.

Key insight I gained today:

Today’s action item based on insight: