Monthly Archives: October 2026

The Beat of a Different Drum

Posted on by

The Beat of a Different Drum

Marching to the beat of a different drum is an idiom referring to someone who lives differently than the norm. In John 15:19 Jesus declared, “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, the world hates you.” You are here to be a difference maker.

An inspiring example we can all admire is that of Dr. George Green. In 1906 He became the first medical missionary to Nigeria. While making his way up the Niger River in a small ship, the sound of war drums filled the air. The captain insisted, “I cannot allow you to continue. The villages are threatening one another with cannibalism. The drums say we will kill you and eat you. You are white and a missionary, so if I let you off this boat, your life will be in great danger.” In response Dr. Green replied, “I have hundreds of friends in America praying for me. God has called me to THIS place. I have planned and prayed for this day; therefore, I will proceed.”

Our God shielded our brother and his wife Lydia over the next four decades where he planted dozens of clinics and hospitals. By the grace of God, he trained hundreds of medical personal, including 250 surgeons. He lost track of how many souls received Jesus Christ.

In 1944, after saying goodbye to Nigeria for the last time, he heard the drums along the shore once more. They were saying, “All hail the power of Jesus’ name. Let angels prostrate fall.”

What will the drums say about you while you are leaving this earth? Never allow satan to tuck you in at night, while convincing you that all is well. It is not. We are surrounded by sinful souls condemned to hell who desperately need Jesus. Without an invitation to Christ, many will just be nice people in hell.

I Will Fear No Evil
Pastor Huck

Skeptical vs Rigid

Posted on by

Skeptical vs Rigid

“Trust in the Lord,” are words listed in thirty-two verses of the Bible. We believe those words and with that being said, we recently viewed the movie, “After Death,” in order to hear the variety of testimonies from people who have had near death experiences. Some were believers, some were atheists and others were everything in between.

I believe it is alright to be skeptical about the claims of Jesus Christ, until you come face to face with the truth, the testimonies, and the fulfilled prophecies of the Bible. It is wrong to remain rigid once you realize you have been wrong. We must choose to serve Him or ourselves.

There were atheists who expected the end of their existence when their body stopped functioning, only to discover this was not the case. Everyone remained in some form of consciousness.

People had the ability to describe their surroundings and saw their bodies as well as people nearby. Another item to remember is that none of them completely died. They eventually opened their eyes, giving descriptions of what they felt and saw. Some were being led to hell and were tormented along the way.

Jesus said to Martha in John 11:25, “I am the resurrection, and the life. He that believeth In Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?”

The average life of today’s male is a short 70 years of age. For women it is 73. This life is like a vapor that disappears fast. Does your life belong to Jesus Christ? This would include your mind and will, your body, your talents and your possessions. When we turn our lives over to God, we are to surrender it all, and when we see Him we’ll never be sorry we did. Invest what little time you have left in Him and for His kingdom. Whatever you’re going to do for God, do it now.

Redeeming the time
Pastor Huck

Rapture Airlines at the Gate

Posted on by

Rapture Airlines at the Gate

In 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 Paul declared, “I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep (die), but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.”

He also wrote in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, “The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

Some Christians believe a mid-tribulation rapture theory, where Christ will call His church up after God’s wrath has begun pouring onto the earth. This would negate 1 Thessalonians 5:9, “For God has not destined us (Christians) for wrath.” The church can be persecuted, but not suffer wrath from God who saves His church. Since the church is the Bride of Christ, that would make God guilty of domestic violence. God’s wrath was satisfied at the cross.

If there is a post-trib rapture, then who would be entering the millennial reign to repopulate the earth, after the wicked are eliminated and the righteous evacuated to receive their spiritual bodies (Isaiah 11:6-8, 65:20). That’s a yo-yo.

Daniel 9:24 reveals a 490 year prophecy determined for Israel, not the church. With God’s focus on Israel exclusively during the last seven years, the church would already be removed.“

Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left (Mat 24:41).” No believer will be holding a job after receiving the mark of the beast.

A Jewish wedding lasted seven days. The church will be celebrating as the bride of Christ for a seven year wedding celebration in heaven.

1 Thess 4:18 “Comfort one another”
Pastor Huck

Prayer and Emotional Peace

Posted on by

Prayer and Emotional Peace

There is a bridge over a quiet stream where Pastora and I run while visiting our Ohio relatives. Envision the leaves falling into the water as they float through the twists and turns which at times, become choppy and rugged. Those leaves never resist the unpredictable currents. When we are surrendered to Christ like those floating leaves, we are better prepared to handle the twists and turns of life.

Treacherous rapids are inevitable so consider God’s counsel:

1) Replace anxiety by praying. “Be anxious for nothing but pray with thanksgiving while making your requests, and God’s peace will guard your mind and heart (Phil 4:6-7).” Before Paul’s epistles Moses found relief in the counsel of Jethro. How much more when we trust the counsel of God?

2) Prayer trades worry for peace. In Jonah 2:1 Jonah finally prayed from the inside of a great fish while in the depths of despair. His story shows us that it is never too late for us to exchange our worries for God’s peace. “Is anyone suffering? Then he must pray (Jms 5:13).”

3) Manage your mind to be focused on God. We see things differently when we learn to practice God’s presence. In 2Kings 6 Gehazi went into panic mode as he saw the enemy armies approaching, until Elisha prayed that his eyes be opened to see God’s chariots of fire covering mountains. Learn to view life through the lens of God’s power and promises.

4) Make time for personal reflection. Psalm 46:10 declares, “Be still and know that I am God.” Allow God quiet space to recharge your spirit. We live in a nuthouse call planet earth. Looking up instead of around redirects our focus. “The heavens are declaring God’s glory (Psa 19:1).”

5) The role of confession. “Confess your trespasses and pray for one another (James 5:16).” Confession releases healing power by alleviating inner burdens, providing a healthier emotional wellbeing. Getting and giving forgiveness is crucial to resolving anxiety.

He is waiting
Pastor Huck

The Invitation to Repentance

Posted on by

The Invitation to Repentance

After John the Baptist was taken into custody, Matthew 4:17 declares, “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’“ Repentance refers to changing our minds in order to begin thinking more like our Savior. As we change our minds, our behavior will follow.

Repenting is always related to the issue of sinful practices. Since God hardly forces anyone to do anything, the above verse comes off as an invitation to repent because the kingdom of God is closer than we realize. It is a beckoning call as much as Philip inviting Nathanael, “Come and see (John 1:46).”

The word repent comes from the Greek word metanoeo meaning, to think differently with the feeling of compunction. Meta alone means above. Noeo refers to our thinking. There is an invitation here to grow above our lower worldly patterns of thought. God wants us to begin thinking beyond and above as we will in His kingdom which we are about to enter. We should want to align our thoughts and behaviors with the kingdom of heaven, as Jesus declares it to be near.

The pattern we can practice today is seen in Luke 19:1-10, where Jesus invited Zacchaeus to join Him for lunch at Zacchaeus’ house.

1) NOTICE: At dinner, Jesus’ words caused Zacchaeus to notice his need to change. We get Jesus’ words by reading our Bibles. As you’re cut off in traffic you may notice your need.

2) ENGAGE: Zacchaeus’ mind was changing as he began to engage with the words of Jesus, pledging himself to follow.

3) ACTION: Engaging in the words of Jesus led to a change of his actions. He gave away half his possessions and four times back to those he defrauded.

4) REINFORCE: Write down points 1-3 . Post this note on your mirror, vehicle or fridge to reflect and reinforce your daily growth. This is not a one day practice. Be blessed as a doer of God’s word.

James 1:22
Pastor Huck

Grumpy Neighbor or Gracious Father

Posted on by

Grumpy Neighbor or Gracious Father

What I am about to share is an analogy of contrasts, not a comparison. In Luke 11:5-10 Jesus told a story about a man who got a visit from an old friend at midnight, and he had no food to offer. Since Ron’s Market was closed, he went banging on his neighbor’s door asking for three loaves of bread. From inside the man yells, “Don’t bother me! We’re trying to sleep! Now the dogs are barking, and the cops are probably on their way.” Yet because of “shameless persistency,” Mr. Frumpy Grumpy will eventually get up to give his neighbor what he wants.

Let’s clear this up a bit. Our gracious Father in heaven is NOT Mr. Frumpy Grumpy, yet we are to surrender ourselves to a lifestyle of prayer. Paul encourages us to, “Pray without ceasing” (1Thes 5:17). When Jesus said, “I say to you, ask, seek and knock,” He spoke in the present active imperative. In plain English, that was a command that we should pray for everything we desire. To not have a prayer life is to be willfully disobedient in the face of our Lord’s command.

This contrast reveals that God the Father is nothing like the grouchy neighbor. Jesus said if a son asks for an egg his dad won’t give him a snake. No child has to ask for an egg twenty-five times. When Peter was drowning in the Galilee He didn’t have to call out, “Lord save me,” fifteen times. Jesus heard him the first time. The point is that our Father is gracious, and not some grumpy guy who has to be broken down by persistence before we get anything.

Persistent prayer is not a method of wearing God down till He finally says, “Ok here you go, now get outta here.” God has perfect timing and we often wait for answers while other conditions align. In those cases keep praying. “He makes all things beautiful in His time.”

Ecclesiastes 3:11
Pastor Huck

God Will Break Your Heart

Posted on by

God Will Break Your Heart

Really! Why would God do that? He would break your heart to save your soul. If you’re living on the fringe of Christianity, in a state of pride, stubbornness, rebellion or arrogance, you’re not living in obedience to Him, and He would break your heart to save your soul.

When God takes things away from us, even though we beg for it in prayer, it is because He loves us so much. God will remove anything from my life in order to replace it with what He wants. When I came to Christ, He began to shut doors I wanted open, and open doors no one else could shut. God always gets it right.

After welcoming Jesus Christ into my life, I continued insisting on my way of living. I could rationalize sin with the best of them, but then it began to happen. God led me to His woodshed to break me from the false sense of security I rested in. One by one He began to take my dream, my job, my money, my friends, and finally my car when it broke down for good in Balmorhea, Texas. He certainly got my attention and it was all for my good (Rom 8:28). Without my Balmorhea experience I doubt that I would have experienced any of the ministries that I’ve been involved with. Lonely Balmorhea is where my Savior became my Lord.

Brokenness is what causes us to run to God. Brokenness is what teaches us to rely on Him for every need. Jesus once told Peter, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will (John 13:7).” Our agonizing may prolong until we learn to submit to God’s desires, but then we’ll see clearly and understand better.

This fallen world is very dark and broken, and our life will feel dark and broken too. Just remember; some of the greatest and most memorable pictures are developed in the dark room. Jesus always gets it right.

Jeremiah 29:11
Pastor Huck

Getting Unlost

Posted on by

Getting Unlost

Have you ever gotten lost while looking for someone’s house in an unfamiliar neighborhood? Getting unlost is just a matter of following Google maps to retrace the route you came in on. Getting disoriented while hiking in a forest is another thing, especially if you traveled off the beaten path. It’s easy to lose your sense of direction when you can’t remember how many forks in the road you took.

God has designed a productive plan and purpose for our lives. His word declares, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Why would anyone wander off track for anything less than that? Well, it's easy to lose our way when we fail to seek God’s direction daily. Our spiritual enemy is pretty good at polluting our path in life with numerous forks in the road, all leading to empty promises.

Disobedience to the will of God clogs the flow of blessings in our life and leaves us feeling dry. Periodically the canals running through the Phoenix valley have to be completely stopped in order to scrape out the miles of debris and rubbish that clog the flow of life giving water for irrigation. That’s what the dregs of disobedience do to the flow of blessings into our lives.

Today’s church in general hears a ton about joy, grace, success, health, with a truck load of me, me, and more me, with little mention of obedience. Samuel scolded King Saul saying, “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed the wisdom of God (1 Sam 15:22).”

After ignoring Elisha’s counsel to wash seven times in the Jordan River, the leprous Naaman finally obeyed and was completely healed. Jehoshaphat obeyed the word of God to place the worship singers on the front lines of battle and saw victory. Obedience is powerful.

Disobedience closes doors. Obedience opens doors. Obedience gets us unlost and back on God’s path to blessings.

Psalm 128:1
Pastor Huck

Faith Kills Fretting

Posted on by

Faith Kills Fretting

In the fourth grade most of my days were all about sunny days, Willie Mays and wondering how long before I get picked to play ball with those fifth, sixth and seventh graders. They were the big kids and for all I knew they already shaved. My desire to get in the games with those sandlot giants was my biggest challenge back then. Childhood was long ago and vanished like a vapor.

Since then, I have learned that real life can be a faith fight; that prayer is bootcamp for life’s many battles, and without regular Bible reading, my faith will fade. Satan’s game is to sift all of us like wheat. Are you prepared for that? D. L. Moody said, “I open my Bible and faith comes to me (Rom 10:17).” Life can get blurry and that’s why we need to pursue the knowledge of God each day. We need to know God more than we need to know ourselves. Most people are missing who He really is.

What do you do when there is no light? Michael Phelps, winner of 28 Olympic medals, declared, “So, in 2008, when my goggles filled up with water, I was relaxed because I reverted back to my training. I swam blind for three quarters of the race, won gold, and broke the world record.” How was he so prepared to win? His coach Bob Bowman would poke holes in his goggles at practice, let them fill with water, turn out the lights, and make him count the twenty-one strokes to know when to flip at the turns. No need to fret.

It is essential to grow in the grace and knowledge of God each day. We have to increasingly know God our Father to get the “W.” When your life gets blurry you can revert back to all that regular daily training you’ve absorbed from the Bible, and apply. Jesus sees it all, and He will see you through.

Do Not Fret – Psalm 37:1, 7, 8
Pastor Huck

Closing in on Christmas

Posted on by

Closing in on Christmas

As we draw near to Christmas, God has a sincere concern for you personally, which was identified long ago by His servant Moses. As Moses was speaking with God regarding the enslavement of Israel in Egypt the LORD said, “You shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers declares I am indeed concerned about you and what has been done to you.’”

God heard the desperate cries of His enslaved people and sent Moses as His mouthpiece to deliver approximately 2.5 million people into freedom and a land of abundance. While on that journey Moses told the people, “The LORD will raise for you a prophet like me from among yourselves. It is to Him you shall listen” (Deut 18:15, Acts 3:22, 7:37). He will be a miracle working mediator, redeemer, savior, as well as God encased in a human body (Titus 3:4-6).

One thousand five hundred years later, Mary, a young teenage virgin living in the Galilee of Israel, received a visit from the angel Gabriel. She accepted her calling to birth the promised Messiah as a virgin and name Him Jeshua, or Jesus, meaning YHWH is salvation. Nine months later she gave birth to God in the flesh (called Immanuel), who came because He was, “indeed concerned about them and what had been done to them,” while under Roman rule.

Most of us don’t care to talk about our mistakes, sins, hurts and failures. We all have secrets, although not from God. On top of that, we may have been unfairly abused and hurt physically or emotionally. As we are approaching Christmas I want you to know God is, “indeed concerned about you and what has been done to you too.”

He is greatly concerned for those in need of His grace, mercy, healing touch and most of all, His salvation. In case you haven’t noticed, we’re all messed up and we all need Jesus Christ. He’s the greatest gift of all, and just a call away.

Make the call
Pastor Huck