How to Maximize Your Moments in Time

Tuesday, February 21, 2017 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments



Eph. 5:15-17 (NKJV) See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Eph. 5:15-17 (NIV) Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Colossians 4:5, Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.

Taking advantage of opportunity is the purpose of God’s gift of time. Living life on purpose is the reason for living. 

From Matthew Poole's Commentary: 
Redeeming the time; or, buying the opportunity: is a metaphor taken from merchants, that diligently observe the time for buying and selling, and easily part with their pleasure for gain. It is the idea of a merchant who, knowing the value of an article and the good use to which he can put it, buys it up. 

“Because the days are evil”: The days of life in general are so exposed to evil, as to make it necessary to make the most of the seasonable opportunity so long as it lasts.  These are days full of difficulties and dangers.

Through grace we seize the moments or opportunities ordained of God. Walk through the open door while it is open. Leonard Ravenhill wrote, “The opportunity of a lifetime must be seized in the lifetime of the opportunity.” 

Jesus seized opportunity by “setting his face” to become our Savior:
Luke 9:51, (NKJV) Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem
Luke 9:51, (NLT) As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.  

Time is the overall framework. Moments present opportunities for taking action. We maximize opportunities by taking action. “Maximize” means: To increase to the greatest possible amount or degree; make the most of it. 

The time framework is like looking at a calendar. Moments are like selecting dates on the calendar to take action. Actions such as prayer, reading, studying, resting, working, meetings, writing, teaching, training, being trained, and every other fruitful thing you helps you maximize your time.

Here are some statements about time and opportunity to help develop a better mindset:

Time is a gift 
Time is holy 
Time cannot be replaced 
Time makes you realistic and practical 
Time reveals opportunity 
Time moves in one direction only 
You have less time than you realize 
Time is a non-renewable resource 
Time requires planning to be useful 
Time is a small slice within eternity to fulfill God’s purpose 
Times and seasons govern all activity
Time is a basis for good decisions 

Denzel Washington offered a poignant statement on the importance of seizing opportunity during an acceptance speech for an acting award.




He said, ”Ease is a greater threat to progress than hardship” and "Without commitment you'll never start, Without consistency you'll never finish." 

Why is ease a greater threat? Being at ease is about wasting time and failing to maximize moments by taking action. Hardship, while painful, usually causes us to take effective action. It is not that God is greater in times of hardship. It is more likely that we possess greater focus during times of hardship.

A key to progress: Number Your Days

Psalms 90:12,(NKJV)  So teach us to number [enumerate; mention one by one] our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom. 
Psalms 90:12 (NLT) Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom. 

“Numbering” your days is not about counting days but making days count. Jesus knew he had only 3 1/2 years to fulfill His purpose after God commissioned Him. He said in  John 9:4, "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.” He focused on seizing opportunity by taking action in moments of time.


___________

Visit the Firm Foundation podcast to listen to my message, How to Maximize Your Moments in Time


0 comments :

Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson Program #103 | Conversation with Pastor Shad Hill

Wednesday, February 15, 2017 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments




PROGRAM WEEK OF FEBRUARY 5, 2017
Conversation with Pastor Shad Hill

PROGRAM CONTENT: Conversation about reaching diverse populations, intergenerational collaboration, dealing with pain in life, and mental health.


Previous programs, conversations, and teachings at www.firmfoundationtv.net

0 comments :

The Star Bangled Banner (Aerial Flag Video)

Wednesday, February 08, 2017 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments




"Star Spangled Banner" Aerial Flag Video 
(View "Full 4K" Ad Free Version on Vimeo, https://vimeo.com/203054267)
4K Filming and Editing by Bryan Hudson, Vision Communications
www.visioncomsolutions.com
Color Grading in DaVinci Resolve

"The Star Spangled Banner"
Whitney Houston
© Arista Records
Francis Scott Key, writer
John Clayton, music arrangement

0 comments :

The Amazing Power of Planted Seed

Wednesday, February 01, 2017 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments



Jesus said in Mark 4:26-28 “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground,  and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how.  For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head." 

There is amazing power both within the seed you sow and within the kingdom of God. Jesus compared the productivity of God’s kingdom to the natural process of sowing and reaping. Since we have witnessed God's work in nature all of our lives, we don’t stop to think about how the amazing it is! “For the earth yields crops by itself…” 

We do not fully understand how nature works, we only know that it is reliable and consistent. We should view God’s kingdom in the same manner and trust the process by our participation. Here is a major principle from Jesus’ teaching:

A seed, once planted, GAINS the power to produce and increase. 

The power within a seed can only be released by planting the seed. This is true for every endeavor and for our giving. I traveled with a team of four men to Kenya Africa in November of 2016 for a missions trip.  The members of my church, New Covenant Church, and the friends who donated literally “sowed” us into the lives of the wonderful people of Eldoret, Keyna. That mission resulted in transformed lives, resourced pastors, encouragement beyond measure, and a lot more that we cannot see.

In few months, our church facility will be paid off and the ministry will be debt free. We are not a big church and none our current members are wealthy, but the generosity of a group of godly, willing people sowing into God's kingdom produces amazing results.

As Jesus said, “…The seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how.”

I want to encourage you to always be a giver and a sower of your three “T’s” - your Time, Treasure, and Talents. The farmer, with all his knowledge and skill can produce nothing without putting his seed into the soil, We can only make a difference by getting our “seeds” of action and generosity into the fruitful “soil” of the Kingdom of God!

_______

RESOURCES FOR YOU:




Watch Firm Foundation broadcast #102  "Principles of Increase and Good Success"
Subscribe to Firm Foundation Podcast on iTunes

0 comments :