Religion or Relationship?

Thursday, March 31, 2011 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

Luke 6:6 On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. 7 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. 8 But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Get up and stand in front of everyone.” So he got up and stood there. 9 Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” 10 He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was completely restored. 11 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.

Jesus did not respect religion, especially when it prevented people from being blessed.

Choosing between being legalism or helping people in need should have been an easy choice for any person, including the Pharisees. Because religion does not carry the heart of God, it will default to perpetuating itself, even to the neglect of people in need.

Jesus openly defied the religious spirit, and its adherents, by healing a man on the Sabbath day. This infuriated the religious leaders, who could not find it in their heart to rejoice over a man who had been supernaturally healed.

The love of God will always trump religious tradition. Thank God that we have more than religion. We have a relationship with the risen Savior and we carry His heart to people!

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The Heavens Declare the Glory of God (The Heavens Declare the Glory of God! (One of my "Inspiration Images" ©2011)

Saturday, March 26, 2011 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

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It's Not Too Late: "Give Me This Mountain!"

Wednesday, March 23, 2011 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

Joshua  14:10 And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the LORD spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. 11 As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, 12 Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the LORD spoke in that day;

One of the greatest trials in life is waiting for a promise. It's one thing to be forced to wait because of circumstances or choices that you have made for yourself. It's a whole other thing to be forced to wait because of the choices of others.

This is where we find Caleb some 45 years after he and Joshua were on the brink of entering into their Promised Land. 45 years earlier Caleb, Joshua and 10 other spies (more of an "exploratory group") went to view the Promised Land. Because of the negative and faithless report brought back by the 10 other spies, both Joshua and Caleb were forced to miss out on the greatest opportunity of their lives.

In this text, after 45 years of waiting, we find Caleb still encouraged, still expecting, still vibrant in his faith even at the age of 85-years-old. You have to love this statement, “I am as strong today as on the day that Moses sent me.” The obvious fact is that an 85-year-old man is not a strong as a 40-year-old man. However, Caleb believed he was still strong, and that's all that matters! That's the power of faith and encouragement.

The most remarkable statement in this text is one we should keep in our hearts and minds. It is a statement of enduring hope and high expectations. It is a statement of extraordinary confidence in Almighty God. That statement is:

“Give me this mountain!”

If Caleb could hold onto his faith for 45 years and still be in love with God and His purposes, so can you!

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The Best Place to Live

Friday, March 18, 2011 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

Psalms 84:10 (NIV), A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked. 11 For the LORD God is our light and protector. He gives us grace and glory. No good thing will the LORD withhold from those who do what is right. 12 O LORD Almighty, happy are those who trust in you.

We who live in our Father's House always live better than those who have the so-called "good life" in wicked places. Quality of life is not measured by how much stuff one has, but by our relationship with the Lord. Because we are in relationship with God, we have access to all His resources!

As the text says, "No good thing will he withhold from those who do what is right."

Have a Fruitful Day!

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The Light of Love | Pt. 2, Benefits of Loving Others

Wednesday, March 16, 2011 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

1 John 2:7  (NKJV) Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. 8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. 9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

When we think about light vs. darkness, we usually associate it with spiritual warfare with an emphasis on darkness. John, who is often called the "Apostle of Love," presents another perspective: Our walk of love impacts our relationship to spiritual light and darkness.

Because of the "new and improved" love commandment that Jesus brought, "The darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining." In a world of darkness, we have the opportunity to always walk in the light of God. We also have the opportunity to walk in darkness by permitting hatred of others. As John wrote in verse nine, "He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now."

For people who claim never be guilty of hating others, I like to point out the the definition of "hate" is "strong dislike." Is there anyone whom you strongly dislike? Hatred permits a darkness that hinders one's progress and produces some level of "blindness."

However, the focus of this text is found in verse 10, "He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him."

Loving our brother (or fellow man), creates a condition in which God's light brings clarity and freedom of action/movement.  This truth should become a great source of motivation to live and walk in the light of love!

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The Light of Love | Pt. 1, An old commandment made new in the hands of the Master

Tuesday, March 15, 2011 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

1 John 2:7  (NKJV) Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. 8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. 9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

The message of loving God and loving others is both old and new. It is an old message because we find it first given way back in the time of Moses: "You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD." (Leviticus 19:18)

God's original intent was stated long before Jesus walked the earth. Loving our neighbors, or our fellow man, is the best way to shine a light that has the power to move darkness. There is light inside of love. The commandment is new because Jesus came to "fulfill the law" (Matt. 5:17) or give life and power to the words of old.

As an old song can find new expression through the performance of a master conductor, Jesus who is the Master of All brought love to a whole new level. "Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining."

Because of Christ, our love (i.e. our deeds) brings light to everyone we contact. Hate has the opposite effect.

Let the "royal law" of love (James 2:8) motivate your thinking, speaking and actions today!

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People Don't Need a Sign. They Need a Relationship With Jesus.

Thursday, March 03, 2011 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

Mark 8:11 The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. 12 He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.

People who don't truly know God, don't trust Him. The Pharisees tried to squeeze Jesus into their religious mold. They asked questions, they tested him against their warped standards, and they even asked for a sign.

All of this "noise" grieved the Lord. The only thing they needed to do is seek to get into relationship with Jesus. Signs (things done to impress others) are for the circus.

A relationship with the Lord and Savior answers the questions and satisfies the soul.

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