Category: Hank’s Place

It’s all GOOD NEWS — no bad news in the GOOD NEWS — and it’s all about JESUS!

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It’s His Grace – 531

https://youtu.be/CSvOfkl3ltw

 

Welcome to Hank’s Place — 

In Paul’s very emotional closing words to the elders of the church at Ephesus in Acts 20:24 he says, “…I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of God’s grace.” This Good News is seriously GOOD NEWS, for it declares GOD’S GRACE to whosoever. It’s the grace of God that makes the Good News, GOOD NEWS!

Paul dedicated his life to the gospel of God’s grace. This message was so important, he said, that anyone who preached a different gospel should be cursed. Galatians 1:9.

The gospel of grace is far from a license to sin; in fact, it offers God’s power dwelling within us, for us to resist sin!

It is the grace of God that saves us, sanctifies us, and keeps us secure to the end. It’s the love of God that comes to us through his Son and empowers us to be who God made us to be. It is so incredibly awesome – can you imagine that Almighty God, who reigns supreme, sits upon a throne of grace towards us! And wants to share His life with us. This life is found in His Son, JESUS!

Here are some truths from the Bible that are true because of God’s grace; they are not dependent upon our efforts or achievements:
God loves us unconditionally
God accepts us just the way we are
God has forgiven all our sins
God holds nothing against us
God justifies us and makes us righteous
God makes us a brand new creation
God adopts us into His family making us co-heirs with Christ
It is God’s grace by which we are saved and kept
Through God’s grace He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ

God’s grace is better than anything we can dream or imagine. Being justified by His grace, no enemy can condemn us. If by grace His has given us His son, what is there that He won’t give us? Romans 8:31-39.

As 2025 unfolds, let’s take to heart Paul’s warnings not to listen to those who preach something other than the gospel of grace.
How do we tell the difference? In short a grace-based message will leave you praising God and thanking Jesus. A graceless message on the other hand, will place a burden upon you, have you making promises you can’t keep and then condemn you for not keeping them.

Give God the glory today for His amazing grace — you’ll COME ALIVE!

 

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Be Fully Persuaded – 530

https://youtu.be/ReApKLj2EQw


Welcome to Hank’s Place for 2025 —

Who is a Christian? Are you? Paul said in Romans 10:13 it was anyone who confesses or calls upon the name of the Lord. The apostle John in 1 John 4:15 says, “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.” Have you?

We are not saved because we spoke some magic words of a prayer; we are saved because we called to a Savior and He heard us. How can we be sure this Savior can save? Because He is the Son of God sent by God for the purpose of saving us.

When John says “God abides in him,” he was speaking of the Holy Spirit taking up residence in our hearts. “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you FOREVER.” John 14:16. The Holy Spirit does not come and go. He will never forsake us or abandon us. Hebrews 13:5. When God moves in, it’s for eternity. Eternal life is more than just living forever. It is knowing God and living out of our union with him.

Now listen to1 John 4:16, “We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”

We can know something in our head without believing it in our heart. And we can believe in our heart without knowing why. But when we both know and believe, we are what the bible says is “fully persuaded.” Because the Son of God was sent to save us, we can be fully persuaded that God loves us.

Under the old law-keeping covenant, we were commanded to love the Lord our God with all our heart. Deuteronomy 6:5, 10:12. It was up to us to manufacture that love. But in the new covenant, where grace abounds, we love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19.

Many people struggle because they do not know the love of God. Others struggle because they have heard that God loves them but they don’t believe it. But when you know and believe that God loves you with a love that never gives up, you find rest. To abide or dwell in God is to be settled in this matter of His love for you.

In this new covenant where grace abounds, God takes all the initiative. And as we receive from the abundance of His love, we are able to love, forgive, and accept others.

Don’t wait! Receive God’s love today — you’ll COME ALIVE!

 

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Abide in 2025 — 529

 

https://youtu.be/qFRK38xs8Yc

Welcome to Hank’s Place for 2025 —

1 John 2:24 gives us believers wonderful guidance for the new year: “let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.” What’s John saying?

We began our journey at the feet of Jesus; so let us stay there says John — and let nothing move us. When Jesus saved us we ‘naturally’ understood we were saved by grace, but then for most of us we heard messages that urged us to pray more, read more, give more, work more. Perform. Produce for Jesus. Receiving those messages will result in falling from grace, Galatians 5:4. Still saved, but the joy of our salvation is nowhere to be found. Still got that joy?

Not only that, being distracted from Jesus can result in being tossed and turned by every wind of teaching. Ephesians 4:14. So John tells us to stick with what we heard at the beginning, the message of God’s grace. And love.

God IS love. John, the disciple Jesus loved, especially declares it. When I stepped out of that church pew January 18, 1976 to give my life to Jesus and declare Him my Savior, I was immediately, instantly, overwhelmed by my Heavenly Father’s love. He was real! And He was LOVE. And He immersed me in a tidal wave of love, love never ending.

Let’s stay at the feet of Jesus where we first began. OK? Where grace and love reside. Do this and our hearts will be at rest and our minds will be at peace.

What happens to us if we should stray? Just look at the next verse, “This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life.” We still have eternal life. We cannot fall out or lose our salvation. It’s a promise of God. Remember John 3:16 “Whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

Are you straying already in the new year? Turn and run, dear friend! Run back to Jesus! Run into the arms of your Heavenly Father. They will never shut you out or stop loving you. Confess your fears, anxieties, struggles, false steps, selfishness, whatever, and sit again at Jesus’ feet.

Their plans for you are wonderful — beyond what you could ask or even think!
Plans to will cause you — to COME ALIVE!

 

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Come Alive in ’25! – 527

https://youtu.be/FJcQ-hvGADs

 

Welcome to Hank’s Place 

2025 is here. Couple days. It’s the year for all of us, His Body, to Come Alive! I believe that! By God’s grace, expect a fresh vision, a fresh clarity, a fresh view – of Jesus. And since Jesus is the radiance of the Father’s glory — the exact representation of His nature, Hebrews 1:3, we will see the Father more clearly as well!

This fresh view will cause us to thrive in 25; it will cause us to Come Alive in 25. This new year get out those rejoicing garments and shout out to God His praises!

On this matter of SEEING, there are some things that, when we see them, they will change the way we see everything else. As we SEE Jesus with more clarity than ever before, we’ll be recognizing GOD as OUR Father, and receiving His love. And that will change EVERYTHING.

Not sure? Let’s dig into 1 John 3:1. It says, “SEE how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called CHILDREN OF GOD; and such we are.” SEEING. That revelation view of the Father answers the question, “Who is my father?”

We are more than what we do, what we accomplish. We are our father’s child. And who is our father? “God is our Father,” declares John.

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus identifies God as our Father no less than 16 times. Before Jesus, almost no one called God “Father.” But after Jesus, every New Testament writer did.

Jesus came to reveal God the Father to us. He came so that we might know who we truly are. He came that we might experience the abundant life of living as the apple of our Father’s eye.

See “how GREAT a love the Father has bestowed on us.” The love of God is the kind that seeks the lost, raises the dead, and welcomes outcasts into his family. It is a divine kind of love such as the world does not know.

“And such we are.” There is no better confirmation of our salvation than that of knowing God is our Father and we are his dearly-loved children. “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith” declares Galatians 3:26. Not servants but sons with all the rights and privileges that entails.“NOW we are children of God.” 1 John 3:2. For the believer, adoption is not some future event but a present reality. Our future is secure and blessed. Romans 8:17 and Galatians 4:7.

In 2025 you will see Jesus as never before. You’ll have a revelation of the Father, and – oh boy — will you COME ALIVE!

 

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The Christmas Gift – 526

https://youtu.be/uO5CjIFoZe0

 

Welcome to Hank’s Place — 

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulders.
And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.
Isaiah 9:6-7a.
God has gifted us with His BEST: His Son, to redeem us from bondage and certain death and give us eternal life in His presence.  We celebrate Jesus’ birth.
Here’s the first two verses from Matthew 2: “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
These wise men, having been made aware of Jesus’ birth — sought Him out. They — went to Him. Why? To be in His presence. And to worship Him. That’s wisdom then; that’s wisdom NOW.
For them it was Jesus the baby, but for us it is Jesus King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Receiving THIS Jesus is the key to Eternal Life — JESUS, is the WAY to God, the TRUTH of God, and the LIFE, life eternal with God.  John 14:6. He is the LIGHT that shines in the darkness of today’s world.
And it is His Presence in our heart that is far more precious than any present under a tree!
In Genesis the first book of the bible we find the Lord God visiting Adam and Eve daily. Then sin came and God’s presence with man became rare.  Several thousand years later there was the promise given mankind through Isaiah, of Immanuel. God with us. Isaiah 7:14.
In the last book of the bible, Revelation, chapter 21, we find a new heavens and earth, and, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.”
Isn’t that fantastic? Genesis begins and Revelation ends with God’s Presence among His people! Hallelujah! What about in between – us today? If you are born again you have His Presence in you NOW – dwell on this amazing truth! It’s found in John 14:16-24. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All of God.
And now today, regardless of if you are with family, without family, alone, incarcerated, may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope, in the reality of Immanuel, and COME ALIVE!

 

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Christmas Presence – A Classic! – 525

https://youtu.be/7ynoT1IrifU

 

Welcome to Hank’s Place — 

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2.

These wise men, magi, when made aware of Jesus’ birth — what did they do? They — sought Him out. They — went to Him. Why? To be in His presence. To worship Him. That’s wisdom then; that’s wisdom NOW.

A couple of days ago, a friend of mine, Mike, suggested that the most important presents this Advent season were — His Presence! Now – that’s a powerful truth! 

At the beginning of Scripture we find Adam and Eve being visited by the Lord God, likely daily. His Presence coming to them; in their midst. 

Then sin came around. The presence of God that Adam and Eve once knew freely — was no longer free.

Except for some visitations to a person here and there, a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night for wandering Israel, and some temple visitations, God’s Presence was not to be found.

Until Jesus the Christ. Immanuel. God with us. Isaiah 7:14. To overcome mankind’s sin and ensure His purposes, the Creator became our Redeemer. And brought His presence back to His people.

If you look in the book of Revelation, you will find in a sense, that the first place of God with man, the Garden of Eden, has expanded. We find a new heavens, and a new earth, and, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.” Revelation 21:3.

Isn’t that fantastic? Genesis begins with God’s Presence with man, and Revelation ends the same way, but better!

In His grace, God in Christ entered human history, became a man, walked among humanity, and died for us to reconcile us back to Himself. Do you get it dear friend? God wants to be with you EVEN MORE than you want to be with Him!

When we were born again, Christ came to dwell with us. His presence actually IN us! Colossians 1:27. But we want more, don’t we? I mean, to be more aware of Him. To EXPERIENCE Him with every aspect of our being, right? How can we?

Why not ask Him for that? Start talking with Him as if He were right there, because HE IS! Meditate on Him, there WITH YOU! He’s not far away! Ask Him to speak with you and then LISTEN! Listen as you worship. Listen as you give Him praise for who He is, what He has done. EXPECT to experience His presence.

You will! You’ll COME ALIVE! What a Merry Christmas!

 

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The Gift — 524

https://youtu.be/MoFYOJBaj5c

 

Welcome to Hank’s Place — 

We are in the Advent season. Originally it was a time of prayer, fasting and repentance during the 40 days before the feast of the Epiphany, held in January, commemorating the first manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, represented by the Magi, and the manifestation of His divinity, as it occurred at His baptism in the Jordan River and at His first miracle, at Cana in Galilee. 

Centuries later it became associated with the time leading up to Christmas. We celebrate Advent today as a season of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the Birth of Christ at Christmas and the return of Christ at His Second Coming.

Oh, and the buying, giving and receiving Christmas presents. Hmmm. I could use a hammer drill…. Oh, wait –

Let’s get back to God’s greatest gift: Jesus. Something you may not realize is that because God so loved the world, Jesus bore every sin of every person that has ever or will ever live in the world. Jesus died upon the Cross that everyone could be saved – for salvation is offered to whosoever believes. Believes upon the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a matter of each person believing and receiving God’s gift, hallelujah!

This Advent look for opportunities where you might share news of this great gift, this Good News, this Gospel, with others. You might begin by saying you have a startling announcement to make! Then plunge into the Good News that God holds nothing against your audience, or anyone, and that ALL may freely come to His throne of grace – to receive grace. This is Good News for the Jew and Gentile alike. Not everyone is saved, but everyone CAN be saved because Jesus has broken the prison of sin.

Tell them forgiveness is not a reward to strive for, but a gift that has been given and in Christ they will have it.

Unconditional love and forgiveness are the two great pillars of the gospel of grace. “God loves you! God holds nothing against you!” This message offends those who think we must do things like confess sins to earn forgiveness. But that’s not faith. Faith is receiving the gift that has been given. Faith is thanking Jesus who carried all our sin. 

So, my dear friend, this Advent season, may your faith arise concerning this greatest of all gifts — and may you share the Good News with others — a gift that will cause them to COME ALIVE!

 

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Let’s Hear More From God – 523

https://youtu.be/xWDFTOX7Gw8

 

Welcome to Hank’s Place — 

My readings from The Passion Translation Bible last week brought many encouraging responses from you, Hank’s Place viewers.

Those verses from Ephesians are POWERFUL! Here’s a little review and a few more to encourage our faith.

Our wonderful heavenly Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus — sees us wrapped into Christ. In love He CHOSE US even before He laid the foundation of the universe!

His tremendous love cascades over us to the glory of His grace —the same love He has for Jesus, He has for us. the same love.

Through our union with Christ we have been CLAIMED BY GOD as His own inheritance.

We have been stamped with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit. He is the first installment of what’s coming — all for the supreme glory and honor of God!

He has raised us up with Christ and we are now co-seated as ONE WITH CHRIST!

We have become His POETRY, a re-created people!

Once we were without God, but now we have been brought delightfully close to Him through the sacred blood of Jesus — we have actually been UNITED to Christ!

And because we are united to Christ, we both have equal and direct access to the Father! We are connected to the Anointed One, Jesus Christ himself!

And now from EPHESIANS 3 thru 5 –

A divine mystery has been kept secret until this generation. God is revealing it and here it is: The gospel of grace has made us, non-Jewish believers, into co-heirs of His promise through our UNION with Jesus. We have now become members of His body— one with the Anointed One!

We now have boldness through Him, and free access as kings before the Father because of our complete confidence in Christ’s faithfulness.

Paul prays for us, that God would unveil within us the unlimited riches of His glory and favor until supernatural strength floods our innermost being with His divine might and explosive power. That the life of Christ will be released deep inside us.

And that we would discover the great magnitude of the astonishing love of Christ in all its dimensions. That His extravagant love would pour into us until we are filled to overflowing with the fullness of God!

He has generously given each one of us supernatural grace, according to the size of the gift of Christ. My friend, that is infinite grace!

Our mission is to live as children flooded with His revelation-light, taking full advantage of every day as we spend our lives for His purposes, helping many COME ALIVE!

 

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Hear From God – 522

https://youtu.be/8q-QVoZuKXY


Welcome to Hank’s Place – 

Here at Hank’s Place we have been blessed so much in reading from The Passion Translation Bible. The additional depth of meaning it provides is absolutely delightful.

Here are a few verses from Ephesians from that bible that to me help reveal the great love and matchless grace of the Father towards us, His children. Give a listen – let your spirit soar!

From Ephesians 1 we find in the Father’s Plan every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm has already been lavished upon us as a love gift from our wonderful heavenly Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus—all because He sees us wrapped into Christ.

In love He chose us even before He laid the foundation of the universe!

Because of His great love, He ordained us, so that we would be seen as holy in His eyes – with an unstained innocence, for it was always in His perfect plan to adopt us as His delightful children, through our union with Jesus, the Anointed One – so that His tremendous love that cascades over us would glorify His grace —for the same love He has for the Beloved, Jesus, He has for us. And this unfolding plan brings Him great pleasure!

Did you hear that? for the same love He has for the Beloved, Jesus, He has for us. And this unfolding plan brings Him great pleasure!

And since we are now joined to Christ, we have been given the treasures of redemption by His blood—the total cancellation of our sins—all because of the cascading riches of His grace.

Through our union with Christ we too have been claimed by God as His own inheritance. Imagine, Almighty God placing His hand upon you and saying, “You are mine – I love you, and you belong to Me – eternally!”

As believers, we have been stamped with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit. He is given to us like an engagement ring, as the first installment of what’s coming! He is our hope-promise of a future inheritance which seals us until we have all of redemption’s promises and experience complete freedom—all for the supreme glory and honor of God!

From EPHESIANS 2 we find He is so rich in compassion and mercy that He has united us into the very life of Christ and saved us by His wonderful grace!

He has raised us up with Christ the exalted One, and we are ascended with Him into the glorious perfection and authority of the heavenly realm, for we are now co-seated as one with Christ!

We have become His poetry, a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny He has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it!

Dear friend, allow these words from God to enter your spirit today – you’ll COME ALIVE!

 

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