The Peril & Promise of Systems - FORWARD: The Only Direction God is Moving, Part Two



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STATEMENTS OF GOOD & BAD SYSTEMS


"The Peril & Promise of Systems" is the second message in the series “Forward: The Only Direction God Is Moving,” Pastor Bryan Hudson, explores how systems influence human life—both positively and negatively—and how believers must understand, navigate, and sometimes challenge those systems while remaining anchored in the system of the Kingdom of God.

Three Levels of Forward Action
Heavenly Perspective
Psalm 103:19, The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.

The Church’s Role
1 Corinthians 3:9, For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.

Society and Justice
Jeremiah 22:3, Execute judgment and righteousness, and deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.”

Together these passages show that believers must be “heavenly minded and earthly good.” Our faith must translate into real-world service.

The sermon challenges a shallow form of Christianity focused only on religious activity. The church exists not merely to “have church” but to serve people and influence society.

True Christianity involves action:
Not only loving in word, but loving in deed
Not only praying, but acting
Not only preaching, but serving

Christ followers must move beyond simply attending church and instead become agents of transformation, helping people navigate and improve the systems that shape society.

Central Message:
While the world is governed by many systems, believers are called to navigate and/or challenge those systems while anchoring themselves in the system of the Kingdom of God. From that foundation, we can discern the peril of destructive systems and the promise of systems aligned with God’s justice, compassion, and truth, enabling them to move forward with wisdom and purpose.







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Moving Forward – Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute #210 for March 4, 2026


“Moving Forward”

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Message from Sunday, March 1
FORWARD: The Only Direction God is Moving

Hebrews 12:1-2, 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.

The greatest challenge to moving forward is the past and the present

Three perspectives:

THE PERIL OF THE PAST
THE PERIL OF THE PRESENT
THE PROMISE OF THE FUTURE

THE PERIL OF THE PAST
Successes, failures, mistakes, and even people who keep us looking back.

THE PERIL OF THE PRESENT
Allowing circumstances alone to define your reality.

The perils of the past and present can conspire to ruin your perception of the future
The most significant difference between you, your lived experience, and a crisis is what you think about it.

THE PROMISE OF THE FUTURE
The Promise of the future is your character in Christ and God’s promises.








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FORWARD: The Only Direction God Is Moving



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“FORWARD: The Only Direction God Is Moving” teaches that God’s movement is always forward, and believers must align their mindset, perception, and faith with that reality. Drawing from Hebrews 12:1–2, the message presents forward progress as a disciplined, enduring race that requires laying aside burdens and sin, focusing on one’s unique calling, and fixing one’s eyes on Jesus as the author and finisher of faith. 

We want to guard against the peril of the past through regret or looking back and. We also want to avoid the peril of the present, when circumstances attempt to define our reality.

We move forward by focusing on the promise of the future which is grounded in God’s character and promises. True repentance is described as a change of mind that corrects distorted perception and repositions believers for growth. Ultimately, moving forward requires intentional alignment, resilience, obedience, and faith, trusting that God is leading toward redemptive purpose and destiny.




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Day 21: Salvation Belongs to the Lord (with audio) | Learning to Trust God More, 21-Day Firm Foundation Devotional from Psalm 37



Day 21 — Salvation Belongs to the Lord


Timely Message by Patricia Hudson from February 22


Psalm 37:39–40, “But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him.”

Key Thought: God is always our refuge and deliverer.

Prayer: I trust You, Lord.

As we conclude this 21-day devotional through Psalm 37, let us remember this is a wisdom psalm, not a lament. David is not “venting” or expressing frustrations. He contrasts the temporary flourishing of the wicked with God’s plan and provision for the righteous. Verses 39–40 serve as a summary of the entire psalm.

Some key themes we learned from Psalm 37:
•  Do not fret because of evildoers (vv. 1–2)
•  Trust in the Lord (v. 3)
•  Delight in Him (v. 4)
•  Commit your way to Him (v. 5)
•  Wait patiently with expectation (v. 7)
•  Meekness is not weakness (v. 11)
•  The wicked will perish (vv. 9–22)
•  God knows our days (vv. 18-19)
•  Generosity Reveals the Heart (vv. 21-22)
•  Our steps are ordered by the Lord (vv. 23–24)
•  The righteous are upheld (vv. 23–24)
•  God’s justice prevails (vv. 27-29)

David closes this psalm by reminding us who is in charge, what God will change, and where we are headed. Our identity and security are rooted in Christ. “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

“The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord”
David emphasizes the true source of salvation: It is “from the Lord.” Salvation does not originate:
•  From personal strategy
•  From retaliation
•  From political advantage
•  From accumulated power

Systems, people, politicians, programs, and religions all promise some form of salvation—power to lift people to a better place in life. All of these may help in one way or another, but enduring salvation only comes from the Lord.

The Hebrew word for “salvation” means deliverance, rescue, victory. God’s salvation is both temporal and eternal, with benefits now and the blessing of a new reality after this life. We are not limited to only longing for the “sweet by and by.” God can grant some earthly heaven before heaven in the afterlife.

Do not underestimate God’s ability to empower victorious living while we are still living among all the perils of the wicked. Consider the words of the Apostle Peter: Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:10–11)

The “entrance” is experiencing heaven on earth while on the way to God's heaven. Note the responsibility to “make your calling and election sure,” which simply means to lean into God and His kingdom.

We read in Psalm 23:5, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.”

New Testament Scriptures confirm God’s delivering nature:
Romans 8:31,  “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
2 Timothy 4:18, “The Lord will deliver me from every evil work…”

“He is their strength in the time of trouble”
The Hebrew word for “strength” מmeans fortress, stronghold, and a place of protection. We don’t only focus on what God does, but who God is. He is not merely a rescuer; He is a refuge. We don’t have a transactional relationship with God by seeking “a blessing” when we need it. We live in a covenantal relationship with God, day by day.

“He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him.”

Remember:
•  Salvation originates from God alone.
•  God Himself is the refuge of the righteous.
•  Trouble does not cancel covenant protection.
•  Deliverance is certain, though timing may vary.
•  Trust is the foundation of divine rescue and progress going forward.

Psalm 37 ends where it started: “Trust in the Lord.”

I trust that you were inspired, encouraged, and educated through this 21-day journey through Psalm 37! It was a joy preparing these lessons and having contributions from Patricia Hudson, Stacy Williams, and Pastor Lee Robb.

“Every good thing happens on a Firm Foundation!”

Pastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min.
New Covenant Church


Reflection question: What are some takeaways from this devotional that have become foundational to your life going forward?

Key insight I gained today:

Today’s action item based on insight:






RESET: Practical Tools for Mental Health










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Sow seed to Pastor Bryan Hudson, https://cash.app/$BryanIndy
Learning to Trust God More Devotional

Day 20: God Loves Justice | Learning to Trust God More, 21-Day Firm Foundation Devotional from Psalm 37



Day 20 — God Loves Justice

Written by Contributor: Pastor Lee Robb

Psalm 37:27-29, Depart from evil, and do good; And dwell forevermore. 28 For the Lord loves justice, And does not forsake His saints; They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off. 29 The righteous shall inherit the land, And dwell in it forever.

Key Thought: Justice flows from God’s character.

Prayer: Establish my life in Your justice.

Psalm 37 is written to steady believers whose faith is being tested by what they see.
• The wicked are flourishing.
• Corruption looks comfortable.
• Righteousness looks slow.

David’s answer is not political strategy; it is theological clarity. We must understand that justice is not something God occasionally does. Justice flows from who God is.

David calls for righteous living before he explains divine justice. Why? Because righteousness is alignment with God’s nature. If justice flows from God’s character, then evil is ultimately unstable because it contradicts the moral structure of the universe.
• God’s ways are not outdated.
• God’s standards are not negotiable.
• God’s moral order is not temporary.

You turn from evil not because evil isn’t profitable, but because it is incompatible with God’s character.

“For the Lord loves justice…” (v.28)
This is the hinge of the passage. David does not say, “The Lord tolerates justice,” nor, “The Lord occasionally enforces justice.” He says, “The Lord loves justice.”

That means justice is not a reaction but an expression.
• It flows from His holiness.
• It flows from His righteousness.
• It flows from His covenant faithfulness.

If justice flows from God’s character, then:
• Injustice cannot have the final word.
• Wickedness cannot have permanent footing.
• Righteousness cannot be eternally ignored.

Even when courts fail, when systems falter, when culture shifts, God’s character does not change. We can learn to trust God more when we realize that God’s character is eternal, but circumstances are seasonal.

Possession is opportunistic, but inheritance is covenantal. This means measuring your life by covenant promises, not by cultural trends.

At Calvary, it looked like injustice would triumph. It looked like righteousness was crushed. But justice was not ignored; it was satisfied. Mercy was not sentimental; it was secured. At the Cross, we see clearly that justice flows from God’s character. Romans describes God as “just and the justifier.”

The resurrection is the public declaration that God’s character cannot be defeated. The Righteous One was not forsaken. And because He lives, the righteous will inherit.

Reflection question: What is your response to God when you see the world reward evil and sideline righteousness?

Key insight I gained today:

Today’s action item based on insight:

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Learning to Trust God More Devotional
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