Paul’s letter to the Ephesians begins with a mile long sentence that rolls on like a cascading waterfall. He declares that a born again Christian is chosen, redeemed, predestined, privy to the will of God, has obtained an inheritance and is sealed with the Holy Spirit. So, in context, what does the word predestined mean here? Paul wrote, “We are predestined to adoption through Jesus Christ (Eph 1:5).”

In our family we have adopted children. They were chosen, paid for, trained by parents, included in an inheritance, and sealed with our name, Kusner. There is a waiting period before adoptions are finalized. In that time period our children were predestined to become members of our family. That day finally arrived.

We who have received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior have been bought and paid for at the cross of Christ, or in other words, we have been redeemed. We are currently living with a view to the finality of our adoption when our eyes will see Jesus. Therefore, as the letter to the Ephesians declares in context, born again believers are currently living a life on earth predestined to be adopted into the family of God our Father.

I believe that God is sovereign, but not that He chose you or anyone, to fuel the flames of hell from before the foundations of the world, as though you would never have a freewill to repent of sin and confess your desire for Jesus Christ. 2Peter 3:9 declares, “God is not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 1John 2:2 tells us, “He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” 2Corinthians 5:20 says, “We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” Begging to “be reconciled” infers a choice.

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So choose wisely and choose Jesus Christ

Pastor Huck

Please excuse me? At the moment, self-discipline doesn’t matter at all; but it will, and it won’t be long before it does. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:27, “I discipline my body and bring it under subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.” This should get our attention. Living a life according to the actual leading of God the Holy Spirit is of utmost importance. If you really believe that our short stay on this planet is going to be eternally rewarded, then it will matter greatly to you. Determinations concerning our level of eternal rewards are being made as we walk by the Spirit, and not according to the flesh.

Our fallen flesh is wired to seek pleasure before anything requiring pain or discomfort. Some professing Christians avoid any form of discomfort like a plague. They just don’t feel like saying yes to God’s Holy Spirit. You know when most people are going to feel like it? When it’s too late. Following God’s leadership in my life always brings a sense of discomfort to my flesh. I don’t always feel like, going, doing or saying what God wants, but when the sands of time run out, I’ll be so glad I obeyed. Jesus said, “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done” (Rev 22:12).

Many a man or woman have been disqualified from service by their lack of self-discipline. Eternal rewards that could have been theirs, have been passed on to another for the neglect of self-discipline.

1) Don’t neglect the consideration of your “check out date.” It’s on God’s calendar.  

    You’re going to pass away. Start using your God given time, talents and resources for

    God’s glory immediately.

2) Honestly Identify your priorities and rearrange according to God’s will for your life.

3) Eliminate your temptations. It’s not always a demon’s fault.

Start Small but Start Somewhere

Pastor Huck

Before Common Era (BCE) and Common Era (CE) are alternatives describing the years BC, which represents the years before Christ, and AD which stands for Anno Domini. In its fullness, AD reads more like, “Anno Domini nostri Jesu Christi,” which translates, “in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Therefore, the year 2024 CE and 2024 AD each describe the same current year. Well big, fat, enormous deal. This Common Era nonsense is simply another attempt to eliminate Jesus Christ from our vernacular. There are always some intellectual knuckleheads afraid that Jesus may offend somebody. So what? He’s been offending people for a long time.

Jesus did not come to change the calendar. He came to change people. In case you haven’t noticed, we’re a mess. All have sinned and plenty of Christians have yet to die to self. That’s bad news. All of humanity should be terrified of hell, while a few non-believing eggheads are afraid we’re going to call this year, “2024 in the year of Our Lord.” Try as they may, they will never get rid of Jesus, and that’s the good news.

I remember the western musical called, “Paint Your Wagon,” when Lee Marvin sang, “God made the mountains. God made the sky. God made the people. God knows why.” Did you see that? A Hollywood movie giant declared that God made the people. God did make the people because He really loves the people, and He loves us enough to change us, not the calendar. 

As another Christmas approaches, with all the decorations, parades, light displays, shopping, eggnog, tree lightings, parties and a fair amount of drunkenness on our highways, let’s make a special effort to include Christ in our homes as well as any family gatherings. I love how Pastor Al Cicolelo of Calvary Dayspring in Prescott Valley has his family gather to read the Christmas story together after a great Christmas dinner. The calendar of current events reveals, He cometh soon.

Keep Looking Up

Pastor Huck 

Inside every one of us there is a contest going on for the right to dominate. Is it going to be Jesus Christ, or will it be me who rules the day? In Luke 9:23 Jesus said, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” The word “deny” in this context means to say no to oneself.

Many years back when I was a very new Christian, I went to our church retreat and had some great one on one time with my pastor. We were out on the deck on a beautiful sunny day in Page Springs, Az when I said something regarding my rights. In an instant he shot back saying, “But Huck, you don’t have any rights. You gave them up when you came to Christ.”

Paul introduced himself as a bondservant and back in the day, these servants possessed no will of their own. Today our rebellious flesh wants to superimpose its will over God’s will. Choosing my will over God’s only slows down the growing up process. When we Christians ignore the will of God, a sense of conviction will set in until we surrender. This feels like being stuck in a spiritual mud hole. Have you ever seen these truck or tractor pulls where the sled slowly grinds these powerful vehicles to a stop? That’s what disobedience will do to a believer’s progress.

Until we’re brought to the place of total dependence on Jesus Christ, allowing Him to be the supreme authority in our lives, it is impossible to be an authentic disciple of Christ. The Holy Spirit looks deeply into our lives. When He puts a finger on known disobedience, a true disciple will address that sled that is slowing him or her down with repentance.

We do ourselves a big favor by walking in obedience, and keeping ourselves under the spout where God’s blessings are pouring out. For serious disciples, read Psalms 32 and 51, then follow David’s lead.

The World is Watching

Pastor Huck