Category: Hank’s Place

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I’ve been sharing chapter titles for Michael Card’s wonderful book, “A Violent Grace.” 

Our chapter title today is “He was wounded so I could be healed.” John records that Pilate handed Jesus over to be flogged. Matthew and Mark, to be crucified. Totally barbaric. The Romans had no limit to the number of strokes – people might died before they could be crucified; or died within hours, like Jesus.

Jesus, an innocent man. 1 Peter 2:24 says it well, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. Were healed. 

Virus? You were healed. Cancer? You were healed. Head cold? Hangnail? Healed. I urge you dear friend, to look beyond the doctor or medical report or the symptoms – However real they may be at the moment, but look beyond – and see Jesus on the Cross. With His back brutally laid open – those cords likely tore around the front of His body as well. Horrific torture, endured for our healing. See Jesus. Then confess your healing. Declare it IS yours. And you shall have it. Keep seeing the price ALREADY paid in FULL.

The pain Jesus endured was the prelude to the outpouring of God’s favor. By enduring the violence in that circle of hate, Jesus accomplished a costly exchange. With each blow, he carried away our grief and our brokenness and brought back for us, for that howling mob, for every person since, the treasures of grace. Healing through wounding; wholeness through brokenness. That is the way of the cross, the way of Jesus. It is the method of an upside down kingdom, whose king dies for his subjects.

“He endured mockery so I could know dignity and joy.” Jesus guards made fun of him. Herod and his men ridiculed him. The Roman centurions who flogged him jeered at him. Jesus endured their scorning for OUR sake. The religious leaders scorned him in theological fashion. The crowds of passersby shook their heads and hurled insults at him. And this was the Passover so Jerusalem was packed with people. Many passersby.

Yet Hebrews 12:2 declares, Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith, who for the JOY set before Him endured the cross, despising its shame.

See Jesus bearing your shame my friend – and COME ALIVE!

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Welcome to Hank’s Place

I’ve been sharing chapter titles from Michael Card’s wonderful book, “A Violent Grace.” 

Our chapter title today is, “He stood trial alone so I might have an advocate.” After Jesus’ arrest He faces a hastily convened council of Jewish leaders.

His religious enemies want to hear Jesus claim to be the Messiah and the Son of God for that claim was heresy, punishable by death. Well, He said it my friend, it was true, and in a moment those Jews brought Jesus before Ponticus Pilate, the Roman governor.

Pilate had no interest in Jewish laws – they knew that, so they tell Pilate, “We found this man subverting our nation and stating that He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be a king. Well that’s hardly any different from most of the Jews who hated their Roman oppressors!

So in all these proceedings we have the enemies of Jesus making their accusations, but where was the council for the defense? There was none. In those days the sole responsibility for fairness in a trial fell to the magistrate – who in this case was Pilate. Scripture records that Pilate 3 times declared he found no fault in Jesus and desired to set Him free.

Pilate knew Jesus was not guilty. He knew it was out of envy that they handed Jesus over to him. Matthew 27:18. 

BUT — Pilate’s political position was very tenuous at this time. His concern had nothing to do with governing justly, or fairness, or truth — and everything to do with using his position to stay in power. Sound familiar?

Someone shouted, “If you let this man go you are “no friend of Caesar.”” “A friend of Caesar” was a formal title for a Roman governor. Whoever shouted this knew that Pilate was standing on a slippery political slope. When Pilate heard this he abandoned his defense of Jesus and readily handed over a man – he knew to be innocent – to the murderous mob.

So Jesus had no legal counsel and stood alone before His enemies. For us. And now today He is in our Father’s presence as OUR eternal advocate. 1 John 2:1. Because of Jesus we never will stand alone before our accusers. There is Jesus, always standing alongside. Not to protest our innocence, but to offer Himself as the One who has already stood trial for our sins.

Share this perfect defense with a needy believer today friend. Help them COME ALIVE!

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Welcome to Hank’s Place

I’ve been sharing chapter titles for Michael Card’s wonderful book, “A Violent Grace.”

“Jesus was born to die, so we could be born again to new life.”
“Jesus suffered temptation, so we could experience victory.”
“Jesus was betrayed, so we might know His Faithfulness.”

For today, “He was arrested and bound, so I could be rescued from bondage.”
It was a torch illuminated nightmare. John uses the Greek technical term “spera,” in Jn 18:3, which indicated 1/10 of a legion. That’s 600 men.

In the soldiers faces, you would see serious attention, discipline, brutality, prejudice, and perhaps hatred. And then there were the faces of the priests and Pharisees and temple guards, all fellow Jews — who in the name of God wanted Jesus dead.

In the garden the one who measured the oceans in the hollow of his hands, Isaiah 40:12, chooses to be powerless and have His hands bound. The one who has 12 legions of angels at His command, Matt 26:53, chooses to go with His captors.

He refuses to cling to power – or protest His innocence. Instead, He takes OUR guilt, and purchases OUR innocence.

If someone asked where are you taking Him, the soldiers would reply, to the authorities to make sure He gets the punishment He deserves. But Jesus would say He was going into captivity, to make certain you and I would be set free.

If the Son has set you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:33, 36. Now we are set free from sin – and self – and every kind of human bondage — the kind of slavery that so enchains our being that the price of freedom had to be Jesus tied up like a common thief and led away under arrest.

Remember Gal 5:1? “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” There are many yokes of slavery today. The yoke of dead religion is one. Bondage to fear is another. Fear of death, of sickness, of a virus. Of unemployment. Of a crashed economy. A ruined nation? MANY fears, and the news media is NOT helping us.

Fear NOT my friend. God will see you through, and He will see America through as well. Today, see Jesus arrested and in chains – for OUR freedom – and COME ALIVE!

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Welcome to Hank’s Place

Last message I began sharing chapter titles for Michael Card’s wonderful book, “A Violent Grace.” 

I began: “Jesus was born to die, so we could be born again to new life.” Jesus violent, horrible death was purposed before Creation – so we could receive eternal life.

Here’s another: “Jesus suffered temptation, so we could experience victory.” 

His ministry began with 40 days of temptation in the wilderness by the devil himself. In His full course of ministry Jesus faced temptation daily in one form or another. Tempted in every way as we are, but not succumbing. 

It ended in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus’ earthly body desired anything but death upon a cross. He agonized to the point of sweating blood. Yet Jesus spoke “Not my will but yours be done, Father.” He was willing to lose it all — so that we could win all. What a great love He has for you, my friend. Never doubt that.

Now victory is ours — through and in Christ Jesus! And He freely gives us the fruits of His victory.

In that Garden “Jesus was betrayed, so we might know His Faithfulness!” His betrayer sealed that deal — with a kiss. What deceit! Jesus’ disciples deserted Him. His staunchest supporter, at least the loudest, Peter, denied even knowing Him — and did so with curses & oaths. Mk 14:71.

Judas, a man Jesus trusted (that’s Ps 41:9), after walking with Jesus for years, seeing the demonstrations of power and healing and the power of repentance, and mercy, and grace — refused to let his heart be touched and changed. Yet somehow it remained unchanged. Afterward Judas turned to despair – and then to death.

Peter, such a passionate supporter, denied Jesus’ 3 times. But instead of death, chose life. Peter’s life, his restoration and not rejection, is proof that because of Jesus’ undying loyalty to us, we have the power today to become His faithful friends, disciples, servants, and joyful ministers of His limitless grace. By His grace, not our strength, or ability.

Doesn’t that fill your heart with a fresh hope, my dear friend? No matter how wimpy your Christian life feels, there is nevertheless that mighty power of God within you, (it’s the Holy Spirit) that will bring you the victory — not because you have it all together, but because of Jesus Christ, who faithfully keeps YOU together.

 Share this good news today, and — COME  ALIVE!

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Welcome to Hank’s Place

We have just celebrated Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

No matter what our situation or circumstance, this FACT, with its promise of eternal life for ANYONE who believes, gives cause for great rejoicing! And I trust that you found ways to rejoice Sunday, dear Christian.

The death and resurrection of our Savior Jesus meant an end to a Covenant, from God, that was CONDITIONAL upon OUR PERFORMANCE. IF we would do thus and such, God would bless us in various ways. However, if we tripped up, wandered away, bad things would happen. Daily life was fraught with worries about one’s performance.

No matter how good that performance, in the end it was sin that won: we deserved death and punishment. The righteous were held in Paradise. It wasn’t hell, but it wasn’t heaven and it wasn’t with our Lord. 

Then came our Savior! At Calvary He took our place, and with His blood ushered in a New Covenant. Yes, that should have been us on the cross, but Jesus took our place. Jesus took the punishment for our sins, for sin MUST be punished. The debt had to be paid in full – and – it – was! 

And what about that list of accusations against us, ALL of which were true? They were nailed to that cross. Think of this: double jeopardy. Being tried again for the same crimes. What Jesus paid for, you and I cannot be charged with a second time. No double jeopardy. Ever. Eternally! Those sins of ours? FOREVER under the BLOOD!

The Cross proves we are loved beyond our wildest imagines. So much so that we were died for! The Cross, with all its horror, is also our source of limitless grace.

Michael Card has written a fascinating little book entitled “A Violent Grace.” I’ll be sharing some chapter titles with you to think about and rejoice over. Here’s the first one: “Jesus was born to die, so we could be born again to new life.” 

Think about it: Jesus left His kingdom to enter our lives for a time — so we could forever live in His!”

Share this kingdom truth with others today, friend; help them — COME ALIVE!

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Welcome to Hank’s Place – Easter 2020

Christ our Lord is RISEN TODAY – Hallelujah! Although fear mongers may be parading with loud voices throughout the earth, We know the TRUTH. We rejoice for the Lamb of God HAS triumphed. The Lamb of God IS alive forevermore. The Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, HAS conquered death – and hell – and sin. Hallelujah!

Jesus, the sacrifice lamb, has taken the punishment for our sins, and died, for the wages of sin is death. Our sins have been nailed to Calvary’s cross in Christ Jesus.

His blood was shed for us, and the blood has never lost its power!

Check out these excerpts from Ephesians 1 – Message Bible.

How blessed is God! And what a blessing He is! He…takes us to the high places of blessing in Him. Long before He laid down earth’s foundations, He had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of His love, to be made whole and holy by His love. Long, long ago He decided to adopt us into His family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure He took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of His lavish gift-giving by the hand of His beloved Son.

Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, His blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. …Abundantly free! He thought of everything, (and) provided for everything we could possibly need.…

It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, He had His eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living.…

It’s in Christ that …(we have) found ourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what’s coming, a reminder that we’ll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life….

It all comes from Christ: God raised Him from death and set Him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from His rule… forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center … Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church.

 Share the good news with others this Easter, dear friends and see them –– COME ALIVE!

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Welcome to Hank’s Place –

There’s a 7:14 prayer movement going on now, and I understand over 2,000 churches are participating. Based on 2 Chron 7:14, they are asking their members to pray at 7:14am and pm daily concerning the pandemic.

It’s always great to pray! But let me ask you, which side of Calvary is 2 Chron 7:14? That’s right, the Old Covenant side. Her 8:13 says, “When He said, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. OBSOLETE, dear friends. Why use as a basis for your prayers, a passage of scripture (although perfect in its time) that gains its strength from a now obsolete covenant?

Remember – a new and living way has been opened, declares Heb 10:20-22. Now we have a Great High Priest over us. Now let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith – (for) our hearts (are) sprinkled clean from an evil conscience.… 

We have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to the confession. Hebrews 4:14-16. And what might that confession be? That Jesus has taken away our sin. That Jesus has made us righteous new creations. How else would vs 16 make any sense? That reads, “Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with BOLDNESS, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.”

Make BOLD prayers, my friend, in FULL ASSURANCE OF FAITH.

And one more thing. Look at the context of 2 Chron 7:14. It was not written to people; it was a word from the Lord to King Solomon after 7 days of dedications and 7 days of feasting, to be mindful of the ways in which he walked and how he guided God’s people. If they wandered from God and bad things began happening, Solomon was given instruction how to get back on track, beginning with himself.

Isn’t it wonderful thing President Trump declared early on a day of prayer for the nation? And we prayed! So now, boldly approach the throne of grace, thanking God that He HAS heard our prayers and thanking Him for His mercy and grace already pouring down from heaven.

Yes, thank God today – and COME ALIVE!

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Welcome to Hank’s Place 

1 John 3 starts out so – amazingly (1 Jn 3:1-10). From the Message Bible: “What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are. But that’s also why the world doesn’t recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he’s up to.

But friends, that’s exactly who we are: children of God. And that’s only the beginning. Who knows how we’ll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we’ll see him—and in seeing him, become like him. All of us who look forward to His Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus’ life as a model for our own.

All who indulge in a sinful life are dangerously lawless, for sin is a major disruption of God’s order. Surely you know that Christ showed up in order to get rid of sin. There is no sin in him, and sin is not part of his program. No one who lives deeply in Christ makes a practice of sin. None of those who do practice sin have taken a good look at Christ. They’ve got him all backward.

So, my dear children, don’t let anyone divert you from the truth. It’s the person who acts right who is right, just as we see it lived out in our righteous Messiah. Those who make a practice of sin are straight from the Devil, the pioneer in the practice of sin. The Son of God entered the scene to abolish the Devil’s ways.

People conceived and brought into life by God don’t make a practice of sin. How could they? God’s seed is deep within them, making them who they are. It’s not in the nature of the God-begotten to practice and parade sin. Here’s how you tell the difference between God’s children and the Devil’s children: The one who won’t practice righteous ways isn’t from God, nor is the one who won’t love brother or sister. A simple test.”

Have you become one of God’s children by believing upon Jesus? Great! Take notice of the 2 reasons given for Jesus appearance on earth: vs 5: He appeared in order to take away sins, and vs 8: The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.

Be encouraged for Jesus has taken away your sin. Now by the power of the Holy Spirit you can set captives free, binding the enemy, loosing the prisoner. You have nothing to lose; they have everything to gain. 

Help others today, to — COME ALIVE!

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Welcome to Hank’s Place 

Last episode I pointed out that 43 times in the Gospels we find instances of demons being cast OUT by Jesus, by the apostles, the disciples, and regular believers – like you and me.

The regular believers are found in Luke 10 – picking up with vs 17, “The 70 returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” And He said to them, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.”

If something is mentioned 43 times in the Gospels alone, might it be – important? And when the disciples reported on their use of the authority imparted them by Jesus—that Jesus said He saw Satan falling from heaven like lightning and then He twirled about in a kind of happy dance (that’s Lu 10:21 in the Greek) – well – don’t you think setting people free from devils might yet be of some value in our daily living? I do.

Could the answer to many a person’s afflictions be hiding in plain sight in the Gospels? Sure, there are diseases, afflictions, and all sorts of things in this world due to sin. But there are also afflictions whose sources – are demons. Whatever the afflictions, Acts 10:38 states Jesus went about healing all those bound by the devil.

If crazy thoughts are running through your head right now, like “Hank is crazy” or fearful thoughts “Turn this off!” Or your pulse is pounding — then I suggest you likely are experiencing a demon trying to keep the truth away from you!

God has given us authority over evil spirits. The takeaway for today is this: why not use your God given authority – to cast them out of your life or that of a loved one, or the needy and hurting around you? Most people don’t use their authority. If you have not, don’t ask why, don’t condemn yourself, but thank God for that authority – and ask His help in applying it! 

You are about to embark on an exciting adventure in the Holy Spirit. Make the devil sick today  – with a good case of rejection! Do it — COME ALIVE!

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Welcome to Hank’s Place 

Have you been guarding that fine mind of yours – by putting on that helmet – the hope of Salvation? Great.

Now, do you remember Ro 14:17, the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost? If you are living under clouds of heaviness, weariness, discouragement, failure, frustration, and fears – you get the picture – well, that’s not kingdom of God living, is it?

Assuming you are a believer, Jesus has given you His totally awesome righteousness. You stand approved in God’s eyes, no matter how you may feel: hold onto this truth. Maybe look in the mirror and tell that person there that they are righteous. Get this marvelous truth down into your believing heart! Paul calls it the breastplate of righteousness. Eph 6:14.

Now, how about that sword of the Spirit in Eph 6:17, which is the Word of God.
Most preachers will refer us to Luke 4 or Matt 4 where Jesus, in the wilderness being tempted by the devil, chose to STAND and quote Scripture to that foul being. And the devil left Him.

Paul in the following verse says it’s good advice for us: “with all perseverance and with all prayer and petition to pray at all times in the Spirit.” Yes, let’s all use that sword of the Spirit!

And there is more! The Gospels record Jesus casting spirits OUT from multitudes of people – always the word OUT is used. Maybe you thought they were superstitious back then? That there is no such thing as an evil spirit?

My dear friend: today’s enlightened society is blind to the truth! I did a little counting and in the 4 Gospels I found 43 times – 43 – sound like it might be important? Where Jesus is recorded as casting OUT a demon, demons, a spirit or several spirits – like 2,000 in the demoniac! And I found 5 references to Jesus giving authority to cast out evil spirits to His apostles, then His disciples, then to every believer! To you and me! Count them up for yourself and be ENCOURAGED.

Why be encouraged? Because maybe, just maybe, there may be a demon or two (or more) troubling you, wrestling with you or a loved one. Paul says they do. And that’s good news. Really! Because YOU can cast them out with a word, and — COME ALIVE!

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