Hank’s Place

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Today we are in Mark 11. We see Jesus returning to Jerusalem, passing that fig tree in full leaf, but without figs. My fig tree begins producing figs when the leaves are about half grown. And they take awhile to mature, see?

Well, Jesus speaks to the fig tree: “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” The next day when Jesus and His disciples pass by it – LO! It’s all withered up from the roots.This fact doesn’t escape our talkative Peter who comments on it.

Jesus replies, “Have faith in God.” You could speak – even to a mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ – that’s mind boggling – and if you don’t doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say is going to happen, it will be granted. So pray! Ask for things. Believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.

From the Message Bible: “Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. …I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, small and large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you’ll get God’s everything.

Think you need more faith? Think again! Luke 17:6 in the Message Bible, “You don’t need more faith. There is no ‘more’ or ‘less’ in faith. If you have a bare kernel of faith, say the size of a poppy seed, you could say to this sycamore tree, ‘Go jump in the lake,’ and it would do it.

It’s not about how MUCH faith we have. It’s about having that faith in our Heavenly Father, our Father who delights to “give good things to those who ask him” Mt 7:11, and is capable of granting ANY prayer. We are His children. He loves His children. And He’s listening to us, always.

So let’s talk with Him today – America could use our prayers, so could many people. Don’t hesitate to ask for things you may think impossible: for they are not impossible with God.

Believe you have them – you and your prayer life – will COME ALIVE!

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Do you recall Zechariah 4:6, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts”?

It’s a Good Word for today, dear friends! Zechariah was a priest who had come back with the exiles to Jerusalem, roughly 538 BC. There had been that urgent call to return and build again the temple of God. But great difficulties were encountered in the form of haters of God, haters of the Jews! 20 discouraging years had passed and still no temple.

There were mountains of difficulties you see. Like today when we think of America and how far we have strayed from God, from the Constitution, from the Bill of Rights, and how much hatred of God is parading right in the open. Discouraging.

So in chapter 4 Zechariah sees a lamp stand with 7 lamps each having 7 spouts where the wicks went – that’s 49 lights. That’s a HUGE amount of light! They are fed from a bowl with an plant on either side – the oil will never run out.

So God, in the face of all this discouragement, presents a blaze of glory, and says, “‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit.” What will happen by His Spirit? That mountain of difficulties, mountain of impossibilities, will become a plain. It will be flattened! And the top stone will be added, meaning the temple WILL be finished. God will bring about the completion – by His Spirit.

Today, don’t say America is doomed, or whatever else you might be tempted to say. Rather, thank God that by His Spirit revival will come to America. He WILL strengthen the Church. There WILL be a mighty revival. We are talking about God, and God never fails.

And for us, as 1 Cor 15:57-58 says, “thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil (to help others COME ALIVE) is NOT in vain in the Lord!

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As I was praying the other day, and aching for America, our president and the challenges we all are facing, I heard from – Jesus. He said, “I know what I am doing” – and added, “I am zealous for America.” These things are NOT judgment by God, for judgment has already fallen upon Jesus, but a huge attack by the powers of darkness to destroy America. He assured me that He will act…..at just the right time. So, dear friends, take a deep breath, and have faith in God, Who will bring about His will at the perfect time.

Read 1 Cor 11:17-34. Pause to reflect on what Paul is saying about communion. In the first 6 verses he points out there are divisions among the Corinthians. Great divisions – and today the devil is working hard to create divisions in America and among us believers. 

Paul then reminds us of…JESUS! The night He was betrayed. Can you get that: betrayed! He broke the bread – declaring His body broken for our transgressions. He gave thanks for the cup of the New Covenant in His blood. He said in taking communion we proclaim the Lord’s death until He returns for us. 

That’s getting our eyes OFF of divisions, and ON to Jesus. Jesus, Whose sacrifice HAS made us ONE. One new man, one body, without spot or wrinkle. One. No divisions. Think on that.

Paul then cautions, starting with verse :27, “whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy way will be guilty of sin against the body and blood of the Lord. So a man should examine himself.” This passage has been used to imply we all are still sinners and have got to confess our sins before we can take communion. But look at the context!

Paul is asking, are we holding ourselves in a position of favoritism, or superiority in the Body and looking down on others? Have WE been creating divisions – in the Body? Then we are not recognizing the true Body, which is ONE, because Christ HAS made us ONE, without division.

Now, Jesus gave His life for the ENTIRE WORLD, that all people may become one in Him. John 3:16. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit for opportunity to share this Good News of unity in Him and help others – COME ALIVE!

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It seems like you can’t say anything today but that some group will accuse you of being an hateful person – or something WORSE! Seems like no one has a right to expression anymore, street or media mobs and rioters excepted. Cowardly government officials fear men rather than God – OUCH.

Today, more than ever, is time to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” Heb 12:2.

Today, more than ever is time we pray in the Spirit — and listen and do what the Holy Spirit says in reply. Eph 6:18. 

Today, more than ever, is time we hold firmly to the message of life. Phil 2:16. 

Phil 3:18-21 warns, “…many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame. They are focused on earthly things, but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of His glorious body, by the power that enables Him to subject everything to Himself.” Hallelujah!

“…whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things …that the God of PEACE will be with you.” Phil 4:8-9

The real warfare, the one we are all engaged in, is not in the streets. Not in the court rooms; it is a spiritual one. Eph 6:12 reveals it is, “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.”

Today, do what’s written: let us gird ourselves with truth, righteousness, the gospel of PEACE, faith, salvation, and wield the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, staying alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. Eph 6:14-18.

Today can be the day of victory for the saints in the heavenlies – with victory for righteousness on earth to follow — enabling many — to COME ALIVE!

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There is a call for justice these days – social media, all media, are aflame with calls for change – there are demonstrations, even rioting. And the voices in social media cry out “LISTEN to our pain!” There are also those with an agenda who are using this pain to suppress any voice not aligned with – their agenda. They don’t hesitate to use poisoned arrows to destroy lives. Such are the days we live in, my friend!

There have been calls for societal change in America before. My wife and I lived through the 1950’s. And 60’s. And 70’s. And 80’s. Through marches, demonstrations, riots, suppression, assassinations of a president, assassination of his killer – and his brother. Vietnam, Vietnam Summer, Watergate, a presidential shooting — the list goes on. My precious wife was involved in demonstrations – traveling to DC from Pittsburgh in a Volkswagen Microbus (painted of course) to march on the Pentagon – the tear gas is still a vivid memory.

People seeking lasting change. But: until a man’s heart is changed, there will not be lasting change. Not for that man. And if that man is in power, then while there may be ‘accommodations’ to the voices of the demonstrators – nice words – there will not be lasting change. Only God can change the heart of unregenerate human beings.

Remember the gentle people with flowers in their hair in San Francisco of the 60’s. And the Jesus People of that same era? And how lawless people out for their own ends took things over, adding violence?

Remember the Russian Revolution – 1917 – were you alive back then? Or read about it in history books? I’m not sure if anyone demonstrating today has a clue. Anyhow, there was a revolutionary movement intending to overthrow the rule of the czars. The czars had rules for centuries. So what did the revolutionary leaders do? Using JEALOUSY and ENVY, works of the flesh, they stirred up the common people. Pointing to the great chasm of separation. The classes. Justice and equality for all, they promised. But at the root was jealousy and envy.

In Feb 1917 the Czarist gov’t was overthrown. Now there were be equality for everyone. Right? That’s what the peasants were told. But by October of the same year, the Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, took CONTROL – as planned. They had stirred up the commoners in order that they could gain power. Once in power, they suppressed and oppressed the poor even more so than the czars. Stalin killed millions – of Russians!

I’m concerned today, for there are many deceivers out there – encouraging lawlessness so THEY can rule. The people in the streets, may have noble ends in mind, but they are being played. Their noble intentions are not those of the leaders. It’s deja vue all over again.

You and I can be instruments of God’s healing – listen to what the Spirit is saying to you, then ACT on those words. You will help others — COME ALIVE!

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In Matthew 16 beginning with verse 13, we find Jesus asking His disciples who people say the Son of Man is. No one has a clue, even the disciples, until Simon receives a revelation from the Father: “Thou are the Christ the Son of the Living God.”

Then Simon is given a new name, Peter (or Rocky in today’s vernacular), and a remarkable promise of spiritual authority soon to come to believers.

But then Jesus Foretells His death in Jerusalem, and “Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.” But He (Jesus) turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” Mat 16:22-23. 

Did you get the last part, satan was a stumbling block to Jesus for he was inspiring even the disciples to SHIFT FOCUS – and look at life from man’s perspective instead of God’s!

Jesus was a stumbling block to the Jews – for in Him the Law was fulfilled. He was a GOOD stumbling block, that they might stumble into the grace of God.

But in Matthew, we have the devil – always a BAD stumbling block – using Peter’s emotions, his concern for His beloved rabbi, and his natural ideas about the coming Messiah. The devil was stirring up all these things IN PETER to try and get to Jesus. To have Jesus CHANGE perspectives: from seeing events, horrific events, from man’s viewpoint and not God’s.

Friends, IT IS THE SAME TODAY! People are being killed unjustly, oppressed, and people’s emotions are torn this way and that. The media tempts us to view the goings on from man’s perspective, then react emotionally and jump into impulsive actions. Just like Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel. Rev 2:14. That wonderful idolatrous food, those luscious Moabite women!

What can you do? PUT ON LOVE, it’s the perfect bond of unity! Check out Col 3:12-15. Now is the time more than ever to be an instrument of God’s love. Keep seeing things from God’s perspective – for you ARE a CHRISTIAN. Help others — to COME  ALIVE!

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It’s as if a huge Tsunami of strife, hatred, injustice and lies has flooded the earth; especially America. Have we moved from the Last Days and into the beginning of the End Times? Has the devil pulled out all the stops in a Blitzkrieg of evil

There is division of humongous proportions in the land. The media tells me so. What will heal our land? I suggest we focus on what brings about — UNITY.

Galatians 3:27-29 reads: For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (In Him) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; (I’ll add, neither red, green, black, white, yellow or other) for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Unity is found ONLY in Jesus Christ. We need a Tsunami of the ‘word of Christ’ as stated in Ro 10:17. That means the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ, who is the crucified and risen Savior of all who call upon Him. 

So much of what I hear in media cries out – intolerance. It seems no one can say a word in support of government, the flag, patriotism, history, or righteousness, without being condemned, silenced, and perhaps fired. Everyone wants to be ‘right.’

But without submitting to God’s righteousness, we cannot be righteous, ie, right before God. Ro 10:3. Our actions, unless in line with the Holy Spirit, will NOT accomplish the purposes and desires of Christ Jesus. The solution? People need to hear and respond to the Good News.

How about you and I help people to believe in their hearts and to confess with their mouths Jesus Christ; to call upon the Lord and be saved. Ro 10:9-10. The Father is very welcoming, unlike the world around us. As Ro. 10:13 declares, God bestows His saving riches on all, both Jews and Gentiles, any and all colors, who call on Him—for “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

I invite you to be an instrument of God’s healing by sharing the Good News. Hearts healed of hurt, of scars, of fears and hatred, are hearts that have — COME ALIVE!

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Here we continue to rejoice over our Great Salvation in JESUS! Today: “He rose again so I might experience eternal life.”

By His power, God raised our Lord from the dead, and He will raise us also. 1 Corinthians 6:14.

On that first Easter Sunday, Resurrection Day, Mary Magdalene was headed toward the the tomb with spices to anoint her Lord. The other women disciples also had risen early and were hurrying in the same direction. No doubt you are familiar with the Resurrection morning accounts. The tomb is empty and Mary runs to tell Peter and John that they have taken the Lord out of the tomb and we don’t know where they’ve put him. John 20:2.

Peter and John run to the tomb to check out what they just heard. They found it just as Mary has said. Peter returns to the city to report his findings, wondering to himself what had happened. Luke 24:12. 

But Mary stays behind, weeping. Thinking, “stolen.” The body of her Lord had been stolen. Of all the indignities and injuries heaped on their master, this final desecration seems too hard to bear. But then Mary encounters the angels. And after that there is Jesus Himself, who Mary mistook for the gardener. Then Jesus speaks her name, “Mary.” At the sound of her name, spoken by Jesus, Mary’s own resurrection story began. Jesus was NOT stolen. HE HAS RISEN! And He has risen for her. And of course He has risen for us as well!

The resurrection morning stories speak of hope, of new beginnings, of victory over tears and disappointment. The eventual triumph over death and the grave. These accounts remind us that we belong to Him and He belongs to us. We are the people of Resurrection Morning. It’s when new life in Christ prevailed over this violent and murderous God denying age and world system — and ushered in the age of Amazing Grace.

Unlike Jesus’ birth, Resurrection day began very quietly. No angelic choirs. No foreign dignitaries. No thunderous voice from heaven. Easter morning begin with peace and quiet. Resurrection Day accounts are a series of intimate conversations between Jesus and His followers. It’s family business.

The promise is for everyone, but the resurrection experience is only for those who believe. 2 Timothy 1:9–10 declares “Grace… has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”

Listen — can you hear Him calling your name? Can you hear Him calling, “It’s time to — COME ALIVE!

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It’s another episode of our Great Salvation in JESUS! Today: “He died and was buried so the grave could not hold me.”

Joseph of Arimathea was a very wealthy and notable member of the Sanhedrin. After Jesus died, he comes before Pilate to request the body.

He is a good and upright man — and a secret disciple of Jesus. John 19:38. The reason Pilate allows Joseph to leave with official permission to bury Jesus is not known. Perhaps Pilate wanted to make clear that he also thought Jesus had been wrongly accused and unjustly put to death.

It is approaching sunset and the entertainment is over at Golgotha. The crowds have left; the soldiers are gone. The three victims hang lifeless. Only a somber cluster of women keep vigil nearby. They watch as Joseph sets about the task of taking down the body. Both he and Nicodemus, another secret follower in the Sanhedrin, tenderly lower the body from the cross. They carry it to the nearby garden cemetery where Joseph places it in his own new tomb, suitable for royalty. Nicodemus has brought 75 pounds of myrrh and aloe. A huge amount. But the Sabbath is about to start so they have to leave and wait until Sunday.

Notice that the Father made sure there was clear and irrefutable physical evidence of Jesus’ death and burial. His burial was closely observed by a number of witnesses, many of them identified and named. The two men who buried Jesus were well educated, highly respected and well known in Jerusalem. The location and age of the tomb was described. The women who followed Joseph were reported as seeing the tomb and how His body was laid in it.

The priests and the Pharisees were terrified that perhaps someone would take His body and claim a resurrection so they requested Pilate to post a Roman guard around the tomb, which he did. That’s a boatload of witnesses, friend!

The second Adam was undoing the garden of Eden disaster. The second Adam was doing what the first never could, by allowing Himself to be brutally executed and buried. And it was all part of the Father’s wonderful plan.

Romans 5:17 declares, ‘For if by the transgression of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.”

Receive His grace today my friend, to reign in THIS life, and — COME ALIVE!

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Here we continue to rejoice over our Great Salvation in JESUS! Today: “He chose the shame of weakness so that we can know the hope of glory.” The hope of glory.

With Jesus you could never tell. I mean, Lazarus was raised from the dead. So were others. People were cured of the incurable, like leprosy. He stilled the violent storm. 

So Jesus died on the cross, but what if He brought himself back to life? Scary thought for His murderers. At any moment, something could happen. But nothing happened. No angelic intervention. No reply from heaven. No miracle. By the end of that fateful afternoon it appeared to doubters and believers alike that Jesus had completely and totally FAILED to prove His claims.

Jesus’ body hanging on the cross at Calvary appeared to dispute His claim to be the Son of God. No one understood that Jesus had chosen to surrender — to weakness. That surrender began with a prayer for glory. “Father, the time has come.” Jesus prayed that the Father would glorify His son. John 17:1.

Yet there was no appearance of glory that day on Golgotha. No one saw glory that day. Yet decades later Peter wrote — with eyes of faith and saw past the violence of the cross to the Glory that Christ had won there. Peter declared, “We were eyewitnesses to His majesty. 2 Peter 1:16.

To win glory for us, Jesus willingly remained on the cross, refusing to use the power at His disposal to end the shame. It was the real miracle of Calvary. Somehow, in that public defeat of Jesus on the cross, the Son of God forged our greatest victory.

In the shame of the cross Jesus proved all His claims and had won the GLORY. Can you imagine — using death to conquer death? Yet that is exactly what Jesus did! 

Colossians 1:27 “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Yes one day we will experience the redemption of our bodies, and behold Jesus in His full glory.

It’s this glorious hope we have my friend, a promise strong enough to make you — COME ALIVE!

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