BOLO: ”Jesus Is Coming”/Hosted by Joey Hudson

Serving God When Times Are Good (Ep 10)

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For a copy of a First Responders Bible | https://firstrespondersbible.org/
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Transcript:
"Serving God When Times Are Good"
Welcome in…and I’m glad you’re here today because we’re diving into a topic that doesn’t always get enough attention—**serving God when things are going well**.
Have you ever thought about
If you’re listening today and life feels pretty good—work is steady, family is healthy, you’re feeling strong—it might seem like a strange time to talk about your need for God’s grace. But I want to share with you why these good times are **just as important** for deepening your relationship with God as the tough times. In fact, it’s often during our best seasons that we are most at risk of drifting away from our faith.
Today, we’re going to look at what the Bible says about seeking God not just when we’re desperate, but when things are just really good!!!
Let’s start with a story from the Gospels. In Luke 17:11-19, we read about Jesus healing ten lepers. They all cry out to Jesus, desperate for healing, and He heals them. But here’s the surprising part: only **one** of them comes back to thank Him. The other nine are healed and simply go on with their lives, forgetting the One who gave them that gift of grace.
This story serves as a powerful reminder. When we’re in a crisis, it’s easy to turn to God. But when things are going well, when we’re healed, when the crisis has passed, we often forget to come back to God with gratitude. We slip into a mindset of self-reliance, thinking, *“I’ve got this.”* But the truth is, friends, we still need God’s grace just as much when life is great as when life is hard.
Deuteronomy 8:10-14 gives us a warning about this very thing. It says: *“When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land He has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God.”* Did you catch that? *“Be careful.”* When you’re satisfied, when your needs are met, that’s when you’re most likely to forget where your blessings came from.
It’s human nature, isn’t it? When the pressure is off, when the storms have passed, we start to coast spiritually. We lean on our own understanding, our own abilities. But God is saying, *“Don’t forget Me.”* It’s a gentle reminder that the same grace that got us through the tough times is the grace that’s sustaining us in the good times.
I’ve talked to a lot of first responders who’ve said, “I pray like never before when I’m facing a difficult call or when I’m dealing with a family emergency.” And that’s great—it’s good to turn to God in those moments. But what about when the shifts are calm, when everything at home is going smoothly? It’s easy to put God on the back burner, isn’t it?
Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us: *“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”* Notice it says *“in all your ways.”* Not just when you’re struggling, not just when you’re desperate, but in every part of your life. That includes the good times too.
 
When things are going well, it’s an opportunity to strengthen our relationship with God, to praise Him not because we need something, but because He deserves our worship.
Another scripture that speaks to this is James 1:17: *“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.”* When we’re experiencing blessings, it’s easy to forget that these good things are gifts from God. We might start to think, *“I worked hard for this,”* or *“I deserve this.”* But the Bible reminds us that every blessing, every bit of success, is a gift from God’s hand.
Here’s the point…..*“Don’t let the blessings become a distraction from the One who gave them to you.”* When life is good, that’s not the time to become spiritually lazy. It’s the time to press in even more, to build habits of gratitude, and to serve God with a full heart.
When you’re on a winning streak, so to speak, take a moment to pause and thank God. Ask Him how you can use this season of abundance to serve Him better. Maybe it’s giving back, maybe it’s deepening your time in prayer and scripture, or maybe it’s simply praising Him for who He is, not just for what He’s done.
Friends, if you’re listening today and you’re in a season of blessing, I want to challenge you: **Don’t take this time for granted.** Use it as an opportunity to draw closer to God, not drift away. Remember, it’s His grace that brought you through the hard times, and it’s His grace that’s carrying you now.
Let’s be like that one leper who came back to Jesus, falling at His feet in gratitude. Let’s remember to thank God for the good times, to serve Him wholeheartedly even when life is great. And let’s never forget that we need His grace just as much on the mountaintop as we do in the valley.
If this message spoke to you today, share it with a friend or a colleague who might need a reminder to keep God at the center, no matter the season they’re in. And remember, your relationship with God isn’t just for the tough times—it’s for every day, in every circumstance.
Until next time, stay grateful, keep serving, and remember that every good thing in your life is a gift from the One who loves you more than you can imagine.

On Thanksgiving let us pass and give THANKS to HIM. (Ep 9)

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. If you are a First Responder and are working on Thanksgiving...THANK YOU!!!
 
Please visit our ministry websites:
For a copy of a First Responders Bible | https://firstrespondersbible.org/
Submit Your Prayer Requests Here: https://prayforfirstresponders.org/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstRespondersBible/
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstRespondersBible
Email: joey@FirstRespondersBible.org

Finding Peace in God's WORD (Ep 8)

Today’s Scripture
John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Isaiah 41:10: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”
 
Please visit our ministry websites:
For a copy of a First Responders Bible | https://firstrespondersbible.org/
Submit Your Prayer Requests Here: https://prayforfirstresponders.org/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstRespondersBible/
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstRespondersBible
Email: joey@FirstRespondersBible.org

Are you expecting God to answer your prayers? (Ep 7)

My hope comes from HIM. (Psalm 62:5)
 
Please visit our ministry websites:
For a copy of a First Responders Bible | https://firstrespondersbible.org/
Submit Your Prayer Requests Here: https://prayforfirstresponders.org/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstRespondersBible/
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstRespondersBible
Email: joey@FirstRespondersBible.org

Finding the right voices in a noisy world. (Ep 6)

There is a lot of noise in the world and it's easy to listen to the wrong voices.  God spoke to Elijah in a "gentle whisper" according to 1 Kings 19:11-12. Let's focus on finding the right voices in our lives and they may not be the most noisy ones in the room!!
 
Please visit our ministry websites:
For a copy of a First Responders Bible | https://firstrespondersbible.org/
Submit Your Prayer Requests Here: https://prayforfirstresponders.org/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstRespondersBible/
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstRespondersBible
Email: joey@FirstRespondersBible.org

Be Prepared for Anything!! (Ep 5)

Today we talk about being prepared for anything that comes your way.  In 1 Peter 3:15 we are told to be ready to explain to anyone on why we chose to live a life in Christ. Are you prepared to explain your faith to a non-believer?
 
Please visit our ministry websites:
For a copy of a First Responders Bible | https://firstrespondersbible.org/
Submit Your Prayer Requests Here: https://prayforfirstresponders.org/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstRespondersBible/
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstRespondersBible
Email: joey@FirstRespondersBible.org

Victory: Committed to the Fight! (Ep 4)

Coach Tony Dungy has never been shy about his faith. In his One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge he shares a scripture and message that has special meaning to him in hopes it will touch someone's personal journey with Christ. For more visit www.uncommonchallenge.com
 
Please visit our ministry websites:
For a copy of a First Responders Bible | https://firstrespondersbible.org/
Submit Your Prayer Requests Here: https://prayforfirstresponders.org/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstRespondersBible/
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstRespondersBible
Email: joey@FirstRespondersBible.org

The Best, Worst Friday (Ep 3)

Paul David Trip wrote in one of his bible studies "At the center of a biblical worldview is this radical recognition: the most horrible thing that ever happened was the most wonderful thing that ever happened."
Yes, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was a horrible day, but aren't we glad it happened because it changed our lives for eternity.
Please visit our ministry websites:
For a copy of a First Responders Bible | https://firstrespondersbible.org/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstRespondersBible/
 
To Request Prayer for yourself or a fellow First Responder | https://prayforfirstresponders.org/
Join us in prayer on Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/prayforfirstresponder/
 
To contact us | https://firstrespondersbible.org/contact-us/
 
For more of Paul David Tripp's ministry visit his website: https://www.paultripp.com/
 

The Christmas Question: Why did Jesus come back to earth? (Ep 2)

As we enter the week of Christmas, life can get pretty hectic. With all the shopping, decorating, cooking, and socializing, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Remember, the holiday season is meant to be enjoyed, not stressed over. 
Yes, when we think about Christmas, many of us associate it with gift-giving, festive decorations, and delicious food. But at its core, Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
According to the Bible, Jesus was born in a manger in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago. His birth was announced by angels and witnessed by shepherds who were tending their flocks nearby. The arrival of the baby Jesus was a miraculous event, and it marked the beginning of a new era in human history.
As mentioned in this inaugural episode of BOLO:Jesus is Coming teaching Pastor Chip Ingraham has a great two-part series asking "Why Did HE Come?"  It's a great Bible study and we encourage you to visit Living On The Edge for the entire series.   Also, please visit our website FirstRepondersBible.org for other resources and for a copy of our FREE Bible just for First Responders. Please "subscribe" to our podcast and share a copy with a friend.

BOLO: Jesus Is Coming (Trailer)

I am excited to announce a new podcast devoted to the encouragement and spiritual growth of First Responders. It's my hope that this podcast, as well as the First Responder Bible, strengthens the spiritual fitness needed to cope with the stress you face when responding to emergencies in your community.
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