LESSON 1: Two Kinds of Peace You Can Have Now Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.   LESSON 2: "My God Shall Supply All Your Needs"  Not Written to You, But... Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

FIRM FOUNDATION BIBLE STUDY “Who I Am In Christ”

Romans 8:1, There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. One of the complex and recurring problems that many people face is the feeling of condemnation. “Condemn” means, "To pronounce to be guilty, to sentence to punishment, or to pass judgment against.” Condemnation is complex because it can present in many ways: 1) As real, 2) As imagined, 3) From others against yourself, 4) You against yourself, 5) As a demonic attack. Regardless of the source, the feeling is the same: You feel guilty of something. You think you deserve punishment. This feeling can linger like a dark cloud blocking all light. The mind can replay bad experiences and hurtful words, long after (sometimes years and decades after!), something occurred. Recalling past pain creates another problem, because pain distorts memory. The distortion can become so severe that the mind can create an alternate reality – to include past things imagined that feel real when looking back at it. Real things that occurred in the past can torture your present. There is no minimizing trauma and there are no easy answers if you are dealing with unresolved matters. This blog post is not your entire answer. Sometimes, you must reach out for help from people qualified to provide expert support such as pastoral or professional counseling. In all cases, self-condemnation offers nothing helpful. When you've done something wrong, the Holy Spirit convicts you of sin. This may feel like condemnation, but it is not. Conviction of sin is a genuine and helpful feeling that you need to "get it right" with God and others. Neglecting the Lord, His Word, and fellowship with believers opens the door to negative feelings and mindsets such as condemnation. Every feeling of condemnation is unnecessary because: 1. Jesus has forgiven your sins and changed your heart (if you received Him as Lord). There is NOTHING about which to feel condemned…not even things people say to you. 2. GRACE IS STRONG. It is stronger than your mistakes. It is stronger than controlling people who want to use feeling of guilt to control you. It is stronger than the devil who is called, "The accuser of our brothers and sisters..." (Revelation 12:10) 3. When you "walk in the Spirit' or walk with God moment-by-moment, you will find encouragement everywhere you look. Reflection Questions: 1. Do you need pastoral or professional counseling to address neglected matters? 2. Why is a feeling of condemnation never necessary? 3. What will you do to allow grace to develop in your life?

Never Accept Condemnation From Others or Yourself – ”Who I Am In Christ” Firm Foundation 21-Day Devotional

DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE SLIDES & NOTES   Ecclesiastes 7:29 ESV, See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes. Matthew 6:10, Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. What is a System? •  A system affects the whole not only the parts, which is why we call its effect “systemic.” Systematic is doing something in steps. •  Systems are embedded within and spread throughout and affecting a group, system, body, economy, market, or community. •  Systems can either contribute to your failure or to your success, but you get to decide. Common Systems In Our Lives Education Finance Public Health (vaccines) Law & Justice Politics Religion God’s System Psalm 103:19 NLT, "The Lord has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything." •  You were born into a world and nation with systems already in place •  Many systems were invented to help you (Family, Education, Kingdom of God). •  Some systems were invented to control people (Segregation & Jim Crow in the past, White Supremacy today). •  Some systems were invented to explain/expose other systems (Direct Action, Critical Race Theory)   Navigating systems of God and men is essential for living a productive life. We are all parts of things larger than ourselves. The whole concept of navigating is based on dealing with forces and factors that we cannot control. What you cannot control, you must navigate.   In our time, systems that serve or seek to control us are shaped by our habits and reinforced by something called “algorithms”   •  Social media algorithms are a way of sorting posts in a users' feed based on user preferences.  •  Social networks prioritize which content a user sees in their feed first by the likelihood that they'll actually want to see it.  •  Social networks prioritize which content a user has already seen.   The Kingdom System & Algorithm  Matthew 25:29, For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.   DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE SLIDES & NOTES

Systems of Failure & Success | Part Seven of Navigate: How to Successful Journey Through Life and These Times

Romans 8:31-39 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Navigate, The Conquerer‘s Mindset | Patricia A. Hudson

DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE PRESENTATION Ecclesiastes  7:29 ESV, See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes. Matthew 6:10, Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  We are not aware of many of the systems within which we operate. When we use the word systemic, it is mostly understood within the framework of systemic racism.  What is a System? A system affects the whole instead of just parts, which is why we call its effect “systemic.”  Systematic is doing something in steps. Systems are embedded within and spread throughout and affecting a group, body, economy, market, or community. Systems are fundamental social, economic, religious, or political practice.  The Bible does not use the word system in the way we are talking about it today. However, God has ordered creation according to a system. We can call it the Kingdom of God. Psalm 103:19, The Lord has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all

Navigating Systems of God and Men | Part Six of Navigate: How to Successful Journey Through Life and These Times

DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE SLIDES Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. At times in life we hit a rough patch. Sometimes things don't go well, but that is no commentary on your life.  God’s plan has not changed. There is always a way forward. You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.    

10 Things You Can Do | Part Five of the Series, ”Navigate!”

DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE SLIDES 1 John 4:7, Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. WHAT IS LOVE? LOVE IS A COMPASS. John 3:16 Tells you everything essential that you need to know about the love of God, or what we can call “the God kind of love.”  There are four important ingredients to the God kind of love. 1. Love is universal and not selective 2. Love is sacrificial and not selfish 3. Love gives and doesn’t take 4. Love leads to safe places   Contrasted to the “world’s kind of love”  we find quite the opposite.  The worldly kind of love is: 1. Narrow and highly selective 2. Stingy and selfish 3. Motivated by selfish gain 4. The best interests of others is not in view How we relate to, and navigate with, others is one of the most important skills of life. Entire books and courses are dedicated to how to relate to others. All this is good, but walking in love is the most helpful.  James called it the “Royal Law.”  James 2:8, Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:17-18)

The Compass of Love | Part Four of Navigate: How to Successful Journey Through Life and These Times

DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE SLIDES How we help children function or navigate early in life, charts the path for their future. How they learn to see themselves and interact with others, leads to the best outcomes. Children Need NURTURE.Defined: Care for and encourage the growth or development of. Parenting is relational, not transactional Proverbs 1:7  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. 8 My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother; 9  For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck. Matthew 18:6  If anyone causes one of these little ones--those who believe in me--to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.  2 Timothy 1:5 For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.

NAVIGATE: Part 3 – Power of Nurture: Preparing Children to Navigate Life

FOR MORE, DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE SLIDES Mark 6:30, Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. 31 And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. 32 So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves. When taking a voyage of any type, before starting the navigation to the destination, check the readiness of the vessel. We are going to focus on self-care, not in a spirit of self indulgence, but in the spirit of being ready to serve the Lord. We want to be “Fit for the Journey.” The need for self-care is not evidence of a deficiency within yourself, it is evidence that you've been about the Father’s business. Principles of Self-Care:  1. REST  –  Good rest is one of the most important things you can do for your self care. Rest is not only about sleeping, which is a part of rest. Rest is a state of mind. If you don’t get rest in your mind, it may be difficult to go to sleep: Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 FOR MORE, DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE SLIDES    

Self Care: Fit for the Journey | Part Two of Navigate: How to Successful Journey Through Life and These Times

DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE SLIDES AND NOTES Navigate is the best word I have found to characterize living and working in this interesting and sometimes perilous season. Looking at people and circumstances both within my circle and within our local and national community, we see challenges related to navigating life. We have seen both successful voyages and shipwrecks.  Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” We can’t make sense of things that happen. We don’t dwell on bad things because “things” don’t define us.  We are defined by our LOVE for God and fulfilling His PURPOSE— which causes the puzzle of things to work for our good. What I mean by the word NAVIGATE: 1) Plan and direct the route or course of a ship, aircraft, or other form of transportation, especially by using instruments or maps. 2) To sail or travel over (a stretch of water or terrain), especially carefully or with difficulty. 3) Successful navigation or travel is based on fixed points of reference Navigation Requires Fixed Points (coordinates) #1 Jesus Christ  Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 ) #2 The Word of God  #3 Objective Truth and Facts We have to recognize truth at two levels:  Biblical truth and,  Objective truth. Believers who over spiritualize completely miss the importance of objective truth. Something which the Bible supports 

NAVIGATE. How to Successfully Journey Through Life & These Times - Part One

Remember. Don't Look Back.

DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE SLIDES AND NOTES WATCH VIDEO ON YOUTUBE Colossians 1:26 (NKJV) The mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.… Colossians 1:26-27 (PHILLIPS) They are those to whom God has planned to give a vision of the full wonder and splendour of his secret plan for the sons of men. And the secret is simply this: Christ in you! Yes, Christ in you bringing with him the hope of all glorious things to come. WHAT IS HOPE? 1. A picture of something good that can happen  2. Confident expectation  3. Anticipation of good 4. Belief that something is obtainable WHERE DOES HOPE COME FROM? 1. From God - Imago Dei (Image of God)  Psalm 119:49, “Remember the word to Your servant, upon which You have caused me to hope” 2. From Your Parents 3. From Significant Others in Your Life

Hope – What Is It? How Does It Come?

DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE SLIDES Philippians 4:11-13, Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me

Source vs. Resource: How to Receive the Things You Need

DOWNLOAD KEYSTONE SLIDES AND NOTES  Psalm 37:3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. ”Cause and Effect" is a relationship between events or things, where one is the result of the other or others. This is a combination of action and reaction. Something happens (a cause) that leads to an effect.  Five things are true: 1. We have everything to do with outcomes. 2. We have much to do with outcomes. 3. We have nothing to do with outcomes. 4. Things are not always as they appear. Losing is winning. 5. We need MERCY & FAVOR It is important to keep yourself in a healthy perspective.  Being diligent is essential, but understand that you are not the “master of your fate” or the “captain of your soul.” Your are neither helpless nor all powerful Mercy is the gift before and after faith. We think we’re “working it,” but the mercy of God is helping us more than we realize! Favor is a product of mercy DOWNLOAD KEYSTONE SLIDES AND NOTES 

Cause & Effect: God's Promises and Mercy at Work

1 Corinthians 16:12, (TLB), I begged Apollos to visit you along with the others, but he thought that it was not at all God’s will for him to go now; he will be seeing you later on when he has the opportunity. 13 Keep your eyes open for spiritual danger; stand true to the Lord; act like men; be strong; 14 and whatever you do, do it with kindness and love  1 Corinthians 16:13-14, (KJV) Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. 14 Let all your things be done with charity. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, (NKJV) Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done with love. Paul presents something common to his culture. Men were often idealized. We’ve seen this in our culture with television shows long ago such as, “Father Knows Best.” That said, children raised in a home with a loving and caring father also have an idealized view of their father. This is an authentic reflection of Imago Dei, the image of God. Children from these homes will children most likely see God in a better light. How parents live and treat their children and others is the strongest witness to the living God. Imago Dei is the image of God. It is not the image of self. The thing that looks like a weakness is a doorway into strength. Paul discovered the principle: 2 Corinthians 12:10, Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Paul was not trying to do “mind over matter” or trying to drum up PMA, “A Positive Mental Attitude.’  He had already learned from God:  2 Corinthians 12, And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Encouragement for Men and Fathers Meet Every Need (M.E.N.) - Be willing, God will give strength Pray and expect good and God Provide the best example, even when you make a mistake Love your wife and children with everything inside you and in your hand Instill confidence that anything is possible Only accept the best according to ability Don’t expect anyone to give you anything, be prepared to earn it Give more than you receive Always bring your “A" game, even when you are the only one who sees it Benefit your family before all others Give space to flourish, fail, and recover odel how to recover from failure and disappointment  Surround your children with the values that you value Remember that love is unconditional 

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Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

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