Grace is Everything You Need




God's grace is everything you need. Because of Jesus, you have access to STAND in grace where every need is met. If you don't see it, look around you with the eyes of faith. You are standing in it!
Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Three Motivating Mandates



Colossians 3:14, And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity…16, Let the word of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom…23, Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

 There are three motivating mandates in these Scripture excerpts from Colossians.

 1. “Put on love…”
2. “Let the word of Christ dwell among you richly…”
3. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…”

 Last Sunday, I challenged our congregation and myself to consider how much better we will be as individuals, as servants of Christ, and as a local church by simply and sincerely following these three mandates.

 The results are life-changing and sustaining:
1. Love binds us together.
2. The word of Christ dwelling in us richly helps us to faithfully serve one another.
3. Working as unto the Lord is our best motivation for excellence in everything we do.

Sing, Bountiful Dealings, and Addition





Psalm 13:6, (NKJV) I will sing to the Lord, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.

 (NIV) "...The Lord has been good to me."

 You may not be a singer, but you've got something to sing about! God has been good to you and me. The text says God has "dealt bountifully" with us. Consider the outcomes of God working in your life versus many circumstances or unhelpful people.

 Bountiful means: "Liberal in bestowing gifts or favors; Given or provided abundantly."

 Much about life leaves you feeling drained and depleted. As I wrote this post in a waiting room, my name was called for blood work. I laughed to myself thinking how my mother used to call these folks "vampires" for taking your blood! Of course they only drew a little, but life always extracts something from us.

 Whenever the Lord deals with you, He adds something needed! Jesus bestows gifts, favor, wisdom, healing, opportunity, abundance, and much more!

 When you read the entirety of Psalm 13, it begins with David talking about the effects of negative and challenging circumstances (SUBTRACTION). But it ends with David thanking God for being bountiful towards him (ADDITION).

 Addition is always the outcome of God dealing with you, so get into His presence and His word every day!

Sharing a Legacy of Creativity



This was the last day of our 17th Multimedia In Focus Media Camp for 2016. We began on June 6. It's been a joy to train, inspire, and empower young men and women with skills to produce positive media and gain confidence for a lifetime. They have learned to value the gifts that God has already placed on the inside of them. I thank my team for a job well done! Thanks to our supporters and parents for your confidence in our program. This is one of my most cherished legacies to the next generation! ~ Bryan Hudson, M.S. 

 #LaborOfLove

Learning to Listen To Wisdom’s Words



Proverbs 4:10 (NLT), My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. 11 I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths. 12 When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble. 13 Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.

 Listening to wisdom is the key to success and safety. We learn through listening. We become skillful through listening, following instructions, and gaining expertise through practice.

 When I was a college instructor, I re-discovered the truth that students whom people consider to be “smart” are mostly very committed listeners and followers of instruction. The habit of listening closely, as to be able to accurately represent what was said, is a talent for some, but something everyone can learn.

 The wisdom listeners’ promise of living a “long, good life” is not only a spiritual promise, but a practical reality. The simple, wise admonition of “buckle your seat belt” has saved many lives in auto accidents. Ignoring that practical wisdom has also, sadly, resulted in injury and loss of life.

 Wisdom is not simply listening to good suggestions. Living in the “House of Wisdom” is about enriching and saving our own lives, and the lives of others. We all know that life is full of obstacles. To these challenges, wisdom says, “When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble.” We overcome obstacles, not because we had a wisdom “pep talk.” We overcome because wisdom provides the understanding, knowledge, and skill to rise above those obstacles through the grace of God through Christ.

 When we take God’s wisdom seriously, Verse 13 takes on a new weight and meaning, “Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.”
          

 Reflection Question: What is God’s wisdom speaking to you right now?
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