Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

“Your Designer Pays Attention”

Listen to My Message from Sunday, December 7

Designed for Destiny: Created for Good Works

Romans 8:29, For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

As a visual communications major in college and a designer for almost 50 years, ever since high school, I appreciate God's intention as the ultimate designer. You have also been responsible for design in one way or another, whether formally or by making decisions about how your home looks and functions.

On your job, through your volunteer tasks, planning a vacation, or working with others, design is always a vital part of any fruitful task. Design is the engine of purpose, or what we also call destiny. While the concept of destiny is large, the actions of destiny are comprised of consistent small steps—something we also call process.

From the foreknowledge of God, our text states that we were predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son Jesus.

That's a big concept, but it was manifested in many smaller steps. From God anticipating the fall of Adam and Eve, stating, “He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel”—foretelling of Jesus’ death as a bruised heel, resulting in defeating Satan and the power of death, “a bruised, or busted, head.” From that beginning in the garden, God protected and preserved the messianic seed all the way to the virgin Mary.

Here's the important thing about design: the designer is always paying attention to his or her design. Because it is an investment of time and resources, there's no way a designer will neglect the design.

I say that to remind you that because you are designed by God, He pays attention to you. In the words of the Hebrews writer (2:6),

“What are mere mortals that you should think about them, or a son of man that you should care for him? Yet for a little while you made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.”

Because you and I were designed or made a little lower than the angels and crowned with glory and honor, your Designer never stops thinking about you and adjusting His work in your life and in our lives together.

Let that thought live in your heart and mind today.

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Sow seed to Pastor Bryan Hudson, https://cash.app/$BryanIndy

KEYNOTE SLIDES

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Romans 8:29, For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Ephesians 2:10, For we are His workmanship [masterpiece], created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Summary

Pastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min. teaches that every believer is designed by God with intention and created for a purposeful destiny, which Scripture calls “good works.” Drawing from Romans 8:29, he explains that God has predestined us—not by pre-programming our choices, but by providing a divine design we must willingly discover and walk in. Destiny is not a single large event; it is the consistent, faithful, everyday actions done in alignment with God’s purpose. Pastor Hudson contrasts manmade design, which produces spiritual deadness and conformity to the world, with God’s design, which brings life, identity, and transformation through His love, grace, and mercy. Believers are God’s “workmanship”—His masterpiece—uniquely created like fingerprints, each with a distinct role that strengthens the collective body of Christ.

Emphasizing that identity in Christ is both individual and communal, he reminds the church that we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God’s special people. As such, we reject the “pandemic of self-service” and embrace a life of service to God and others. The sermon concludes by calling believers to walk in their God-given design, encourage one another, and live as salt and light in the world.

Donate to New Covenant Church: https://cash.app/$newcovenantindy
Sow seed to Pastor Bryan Hudson, https://cash.app/$BryanIndy

This post was inspired by my New Testament devotional reading on December 5, 2025. I cannot disconnect my devotion to God from circumstances in my nation, to which we are called to be “salt" and “light.”

1 John 4:20, If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

When you see public policy in action that treats fellow humans as inhuman, when you hear President Donald Trump call a sitting United States Representative and an entire Somali population of (Black) people “garbage,” or orders the killing of people (not apprehending them to determine facts), understand that you're dealing with a man and Christian supporters who all claim to be promoting the will of God. (And don't try to say it doesn't matter how we treat those who are not “brothers” - he's talking about people.)

These behaviors are opposite to the spirit of Christ and even against the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which is why Admiral Holsey resigned rather than follow illegal orders.

This hypocrisy of claiming to love God while “hating” (actually arresting and killing) people without due process plainly indicates a lack of love for God.

If there was ever a time to speak the truth in love, that time is now. The detrimental effects of self-serving Christianity contributes to permitting mistreating/killing “others,” telling lies, taking ungodly action, and hypocrisy.

People do not love God anymore than they love people. This does not exclude holding people accountable for anything wrong that has actually been done. You just cannot go around arresting and killing people because you “think” or they “look like” they've done wrong.

It is injustice and despotism. It is wickedness.

~ Bryan Hudson

“Confident in Completion”

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Philippians 1:6, Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ

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KEYNOTE SLIDES

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Colossians 1:12, Always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.

1 Thessalonians 5:18, In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you

In this message, Pastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min. teaches that thanksgiving is far more than a holiday—it is a foundational posture for a victorious Christian life. Drawing from Colossians 1:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, and other Scriptures, he explains that giving thanks is evidence of the inheritance God has placed within us and a continual practice that renews our minds, stabilizes our emotions, and keeps our hearts clear. Like the peace offerings in Leviticus—voluntary, heartfelt, and spontaneous—true thanksgiving flows from love, not obligation. Using the redwood tree’s shared root system as an illustration, he shows that believers are rooted together in Christ and strengthened through collective gratitude. Pastor Hudson warns that withholding thanks leads to darkened thinking, while a lifestyle of gratitude brings joy, peace, and spiritual resilience even amid trials. Ultimately, giving thanks is a continual offering, the “fruit of our lips,” that keeps us in God’s presence (coram Deo) and grounds our identity as accepted, blessed people who live in the light.

Donate to New Covenant Church: https://cash.app/$newcovenantindy
Sow seed to Pastor Bryan Hudson, https://cash.app/$BryanIndy