Author: Hank

Welcome to Hank’s Place

A decade or so ago Todd Agnew had an awesome revelation of God’s amazing grace and wrote the song, “Grace Like Rain.”

Here’s a snippet of the lyrics:
And I once was lost but now I’m found
Was blind but now I see so clearly

And Hallelujah, grace like rain
Falls down on me
And Hallelujah and all my stains
Are washed away, they’re washed away

Do you see that holy rain? Well, read John’s first chapter: we find the Word became flesh, lived among us and we saw His glory, full of GRACE and TRUTH.

Of His fullness we have all received, and GRACE upon GRACE. You may wonder what God is like—well, look at JESUS! JESUS is God revealed! And He is GRACE upon GRACE!

GRACE: when the free favors of God profusely abound. In the Jubilee Year of the Old Covenant, every 50 years Israel got to cease from their labors and enter God’s rest. But we are living in the New Covenant, where God’s GRACE is falling like rain continuously! Not in times, seasons, or portions like before, but continuously! It is a NEW DAY in the NEW Covenant.

No condemnation—ever!
Sins washed away—eternally!
God’s GRACE falling like rain—continuously!

There is never a Dry Day in Jesus—
Believe this GRACE is for you, dear friend.
It is time for you to come out of the desert of your own efforts.
It is time for you to come out of the desert of judgement and condemnation.

Receive His GRACE—it’s as easy as stepping out into the rain, and COME ALIVE!

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Mary and I recently visited Medicine Park, OK. Population 400. Having a history dating back hundreds of years, the Plains Native Americans visiting to find refreshment in the waters of Medicine Creek which they believed had healing and life giving powers.

We’ve been sharing about the New Covenant and how much BETTER it is than the Old. Jesus shared with a Samaritan women at Jacob’s well. He offered her Living Water that would quench one’s thirst forever, and for those who partook it would become a well of water springing up to eternal life.

And on the great day (eighth day) of the Feast of Booths, while the priest was pouring out an empty pitcher on dry ground (for the previous 7 days he would have poured out a pitcher filled with water from the pool at Bethesda), Jesus was shouting nearby, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” John 7:37-39

God never intended for you to live life apart from Him. Since Pentecost (Acts 2) the Holy Spirit has been ‘poured forth’ to indwell and empower us to live life to the full, in joy, the joy of Jesus. Friend, don’t delay, receive the Holy Spirit today—and COME ALIVE!

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Here is a stone: petros, or Peter to you and me. In Jn 1:42 when Andrew brings his brother Simon to Jesus, Jesus says to him, “…you shall be called Peter — a stone.” Then in Matt 16:18 we find Jesus saying to him, “…you ARE Peter…,” but remarkably Jesus never calls him by that name! Perhaps he had to grow into it.

Listen to Mt 16:13-18: Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” He *said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”

Stones: Jesus calls Peter a small stone, Petros. Then He says upon this R O C K I will build my church — the word for rock is petra, a huge stone. At this time the Nabataeans were thriving in the city of Petra in Jordan, population over 20,000 people, carved from a single huge rock! What imagery for the church!
30 years later when Peter is writing his first letter, he refers to Jesus as a Living Stone, and those who believe as living stones being built up into a house for God. This moment was cast in stone for him!

Peter was given a revelation by the Father: he heard it. Then he spoke it. Could this be the spiritual rock Jesus was referring to: the Church triumphant, comprised of those who have received a revelation of Jesus Christ, who declare it and in so doing become part of the living stones of this Church that hell cannot overcome!

My wife states she grew up in a Christian home, did all the church and Sunday school stuff, was even a theology minor in college, but it was not until, as Paul says in 
Gal 1:16, that God was pleased to reveal the Son in her, that she truly saw Jesus for who He is. She spoke it out — and CAME ALIVE!

How about you, friend? May our God reveal Jesus to you today — make that confession: Jesus Christ, God’s Son, your Savior, and Come Alive!

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Last time at Hank’s Place we asked, “How do we get close to God?” We found out there are no do’s and don’ts, for God has made a New and Living Way through the BLOOD of JESUS. Heb 10:20.

Through the blood of Jesus we have been perfected, made complete, and can enter God’s most holy presence without being burdened about “getting it right!”

Human nature enjoys the outward trappings of religion. Consider Israel who did not submit themselves to the Righteousness of God.  Ro 10:3. They clung to the Law but Christ is the END of the LAW for righteousness to everyone who believes. Like you!

The presence of the Lord was in the Ark. Under the Law. After Joshua conquered Canaan, the Ark came to rest at Shiloh. Joshua 18:1. It remained there through the times of the Judges and days of Samuel the priest; then was captured by the Philistines; and returned 7 months later, passing through Beth-Shemesh to Kiriath-Jearim, where it stayed for 20 years. Interesting, the Elvis American Diner, with a 16 foot tall statue of Elvis outside, called ‘the king,’ now resides there. Does God have a sense of humor or what?!!

1 Sam 7:2 says the people lamented after God those 20 years. But not King Saul. You didn’t find him at worship in Kiriath-Jearim. He was happy with OUTWARD RELIGION, with appearance, empty ritual — not the real deal, the actual presence of God. He never went and got the ark. But it was David – a man after God’s own heart, who got the Ark shortly after becoming king.

David brought it to Jerusalem. He placed it under a tent, 2 Chron 1:4. Then Solomon placed it in his temple. The Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem in 587 BC and the ARK has been missing ever since.

But that didn’t stop Herod from building a huge temple in Jerusalem. No ARK? No problem! We got religion where just doing the ‘best we can’ in worship and serving God should be enough, right? NO! Not for us, dear friend!

See the precious blood of Jesus making the New and Living Way directly into God’s presence! Then enter His presence — worship like you were made to —and COME ALIVE!

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How do we get close to God? What are the steps? What are the Do’s and the Don’ts? Human nature if you think about, simply LOVES RULES. Lots of rules. Rules keep others out. Rules keep you and your friends IN, if your the one making the rules. Ha-Ha. Some people just like to keep rules; it gives them a sense of accomplishment. Others like to BREAK RULES – it gives THEM a sense of accomplishment. Go figure.

Back to approaching God. Under the Old Covenant there was the blood of bulls and goats Heb 10:4. Animal blood could not take away sin, but God allowed that it to cover sin. It was all the Old Covenant people had! Once a year, on the Day of Atonement the high priest would enter the holy of holies and sprinkle that blood, hopeful it would be accepted and the nation’s sins would be covered for another year. He was the only one who could enter God’s presence. Talk about exclusive!

Thankfully, oh hallelujah, Heb 10:9-10 says He, GOD, “takes AWAY the first covenant to establish the second.” By His will (not our efforts) we have been sanctified — through the offering of the body of Jesus, once, for all. Then Jesus sat down – IT IS FINISHED. By one offering He has perfected (made complete) those who ARE sanctified. That’s Heb 10:14, and that’s you and me, dear believer.

Now, as Heb 10:19-20 state, “We have confidence to enter the holy places (ESV plural) BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS. His blood is the NEW and LIVING WAY. So, by the sacrifice of Jesus, the way is open for us to be instantly in God’s most holy presence. Without becoming a cinder, toast or charcoal!

Most Christians still think the ‘old way.’ They believe that God will not show up until they ‘get it right.’ What is “it?” Is it worship? 3 fast songs and then 3 slow songs? Is it prayer through the night? Fasting? Soaking? Sending out the praisers first like Jehoshaphat?

NO! It is not through the perfection of our performance. Not us at all. His love. His grace. His BLOOD at Calvary. Consider this New and Living Way, my friend. Don’t delay, come as you are. Enter God’s presence —and COME ALIVE!

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Where we are receiving and becoming ROOTED and GROUNDED in the amazing love of Christ. Dear friend, may YOU become rooted and grounded in God’s love.

Everywhere I go it seems Christians, precious saints, who are unconditionally accepted in the Beloved, are struggling with conditional acceptance; they are rooted and grounded in performance based religion rather than the UNCONDITIONAL love of God. And why not? The entire world, and all other religions, base a person’s approval, acceptance, honor, blessings, upon their performance.

In Christianity it’s often disguised as ‘obedience’ – if you obey God you will be rewarded. But you never know if you have fully obeyed, or if you could have done more, given more and so on – you live under a cloud of uncertainty – are you approved, accepted? You feel God has a bit of a disapproving frown, when He considers you.

There’s nothing wrong with obedience – but FIRST: receive the LOVE OF GOD which is UNCONDITIONAL – and walk in it. Obedience to the Holy Spirit will follow.

Remember Col 1:27— the mystery hidden for long ages but now revealed, “how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Obedience? Did they obey? Obey what? Jesus Christ came to live in Gentiles, that means anyone, who believed in Him. That’s all they did: believed in Him. They did not obey the rules. They did not know the rules. They did not have the RULE BOOK. They were excluded from such knowledge by those who had the rule book; the Jews.
Yet, when they believed on Jesus Christ, Jesus, the Anointed One, the Savior of the World, came to live in them. Unholy vessels? Not any longer! The Holy One had sanctified them, transformed them in an instant of time! Hallelujah!

Friend, Christianity is not about obeying the rules – that was Old Covenant at Mt Sinai through Moses. At Calvary it was replaced by the New Covenant. Who says so? God says so – read Hebrews!

Yes, dear friend, open up your heart, be afraid no longer. Receive His love, His favor, and His blessings that are contained in being accepted in the Beloved —and COME ALIVE!

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We are so excited how Paul in Eph 3:17 prayed that the Ephesians become ROOTED and GROUNDED in love, that amazing love of Christ. We ALL have this inherent need: to comprehend, to experience, the love of GOD, and to become rooted and grounded in it.

When we believed on Jesus we were immediately ‘accepted in the beloved’ – Eph 1:6 KJV. That is NOT conditional acceptance my friend! Jesus did not say, “I did My personal best, what you get from God now is up to you, try hard, real hard!”

“Acceptance” here in the Greek means “to make graceful, charming, lovely, agreeable, to surround with favor and to honor with blessings.” Oh  My  God – He is so wonderful! You believed, and it is His good pleasure, His grace, to make you grace-full, charming and lovely. Agreeable in every way, surrounded with His FAVOR and honoring you with His blessings! That’s the REAL Gospel.

You might want to rewind this video and hear that again! It’s true! ALL OF IT! Dear friend, I pray you become rooted and grounded in the love of God and come to really grasp it. After more than 20 years of performance based Christianity, I began to discover that God’s love, God’s acceptance, is based on Jesus and Calvary, not me. I began to receive His love — and you know what? I had enough love to give some away! I couldn’t begin to give it all away! My dear wife began telling me she felt loved and was experiencing love through me like never before. And you know what? I wasn’t even thinking about it, about purposing to love her – Mary was experiencing the love of God through me – and it was just spilling out from me effortlessly. 

Cool, very cool, and all God’s doing. Friend, begin receiving the love of God today – and DO NOT STOP receiving! It’s past the time to let go of performance based religion. Let go of rejection, and unworthiness, too. We HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED in the Beloved, in Jesus. STOP focusing on your performance; receive His love and become that graceful, charming, lovely, agreeable, surrounded with favor and honored with blessings person Jesus has made you.

Yes, let go of the lies, receive His love, and COME ALIVE!

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Last time I pointed out in Eph 3:16-21 that Paul prayed the Ephesians would become ROOTED and GROUNDED in love; able to understand and to know the amazing love of Christ. My friend, we ALL have this inherent need: to KNOW, to UNDERSTAND, the love of GOD, to become rooted and grounded in it. I recommend you pray this for yourself – and everyone you know!

When I first stepped out of the pew of the little church in Oakmont PA in 1976, I was immediately FLOODED with the LOVE OF GOD – the unconditional love of GOD! My years of struggle (and failure) to measure up to other people’s standards, even my own, was swept away by this OCEAN of God’s love! I knew He loved me! I knew I was accepted in the beloved! I cried tears of joy for hours.

While I had experienced the love of God, I was certainly not rooted and grounded in it. I did not understand it at all! Well meaning but misdirected church people pointed me back to CONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE! I experienced the love of God they said, because I was obedient to walk down that aisle declaring Jesus my Savior. And IF I continued to do everything God wanted me to do I would continue to experience His love. 

Friend, they meant well, but they were off base! They missed the glory of Calvary! So the next 20 or so years of my Christian life I spent still rooted and grounded, not in the love of God, but in conditional acceptance, in performance – I believed if I did right in God’s sight, if I performed well, He would bless me; if not, I would miss His best. THIS WAS A TERRIBLE WAY TO LIVE – and it’s the way MOST Christians are living today – perhaps even yourself!

I was also rooted in rejection and unworthiness. Since I wasn’t measuring up to God’s standards, I lived a life of Christian rejection and hung my head down as an unworthy son of God. Dear friend, there are NO UNWORTHY SONS OF GOD! There is hope for all of us, for God’s love is unconditional!

More next time; for we want everyone — to COME ALIVE!

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Where we LOVE the GOOD NEWS! The word today is RENEW “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is.” Ro 12:2. You ARE a Christian, complete in Him already. Col 2:10. You look and act more and more like who you really are, as you renew your mind: replacing the world’s thought patterns with heavenly, faith in God thinking, which leads to speaking and doing that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Paul tells us to put off the old and put on the new. Not just put off the old – there is a new that is waiting to be put on; so put it on! It’s the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”

“You have received Christ Jesus the Lord, He’s already dwelling within you, so walk in Him.” Col 2:6.

Some people struggle with the truth. They say, “I guess God is far away, and doesn’t care for me.” They are not seeing Calvary! So they focus upon their performance, doing the best they can. Friend, can you see that’s an affront to God and His mercies?

So how can we help such people to walk in Him? How can we help people put off the old man and put on the new man? How can we help people grow in Jesus and say NO to the thoughts from the dark side, when they think God does not care and their focus is — themselves? 

They need to know the love of God! So, LOVE THEM. And let God do the impossible – How? By praying for them as Paul did in  Eph 3:16-21 that the Holy Spirit would strengthen their inner man, that Christ would dwell in their hearts through faith; that they become rooted and grounded in love, and able to understand and to know the amazing love of Christ — which surpasses knowledge.

Friend, we are asking God to help someone — COME ALIVE!

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Where there is never any bad news in the GOOD NEWS! “Gospel” means GOOD NEWS. Matthew says of Jesus in Mt 4:23, that He “was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming THE GOOD NEWS of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.” The next verse says “The news about Him spread throughout all Syria (those are Gentiles, like you and me, outside the covenant, outcasts, dogs); and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics;   and   He   healed   them.”

Dear friend, anybody, everybody, who came or was brought to Jesus was getting healed. That’s GOOD NEWS, right? No one is ill in the Kingdom of Jesus, then – or now – or ever! Understand?! Good! 

Heb 1:3 says Jesus is the exact representation of the nature of God – all He said, all He did: exactly what God is like. He is God and He has revealed Him. So how many people did Jesus hurt? Break their legs? Put sickness on? Refuse to cast out demons? Give leprosy? Leave them in their distress?

Acts 10:38 tells us, “You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”

True, there are Old Testament verses that would appear to say otherwise. But God appeared dimly in the Old Testament, and prophets saw only in part and their understanding was affected by the Old Covenant Law. NOW, it is Jesus who is the revelation of God to us. 

Job said in 1:21, “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away.” Later on he admitted he didn’t know what he was talking about. Hannah in 1 Sam 2:6 states, “The Lord kills and makes alive.” He has absolute power it’s true, BUT Jesus, our Jesus, came that we might have LIFE and that life abundantly. Jn 10:10. Not mostly life but kill a few people here and there.

Yes friend, God IS Good, and the news about Him is all GOOD. So be encouraged, believe in Jesus, the God who is GOOD, and COME ALIVE!

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