Category: Hank’s Place

Welcome to Hank’s Place —                  

This world seems always to seek for ‘the qualified.’ And ignore those who in their mind are ‘unqualified.’ God’s wisdom however, is far beyond earthly wisdom. 

Paul in 2 Corinthians 3:1-6 addresses the Corinthian believers as letters of Christ, written on tablets of human hearts – hearts, remember that. Paul then speaks of his adequacy as a servant of a NEW covenant – of the Spirit, for while the letter kills, the Spirit gives LIFE. Remember that too! Hearts. Spirit. Life.

Last week I’d shared about my dear friend Ernie, former alcoholic truck driver who had ruined his marriage, family, and life before finding Jesus and receiving His love and His mercies and marvelous grace. He went about preaching itinerantly, doing various mission trips and rescuing people in distress, such as I was. I want to share one of his experiences, since he’s gone on to Jesus and I know he wouldn’t mind.

Ernie was living at the time in the Toledo Ohio area. He preached on street corners, coffee houses, recovery houses, and some churches. One time he felt he should ask the pastor of a larger church if he could speak to his congregation. 

He visited the pastor, described the man he’d been and what Jesus had done for him and asked to speak. The pastor replied, “Absolutely not! You are totally unqualified! Your life has been a mess! You have no education. You have no theological training or seminary experience. You are unqualified to share the Gospel. You will never, ever, speak in my church. Get out of here.”

Talk about opportunity to become physically violent – and the old Ernie had been a barroom fighter. Opportunity to succumb to condemnation or anger, vengeance, retaliation, a root of bitterness, or all of the above!

Ernie left quietly. I won’t tell you his thoughts at that time, but some months later he was with a pastor and some men at another church when the church phone rang and the person on the line said pastor so-and-so (the man who’d condemned Ernie) had suffered a massive heart attack and he might be dead, and could some people go to that church and pray for him. Ernie said to the men, “Who has faith for this? Who will go with me?” Two or three men said they would.

When they got to the church, the EMS team was wrapping up. The pastor lay dead on the floor. They documented it. Ernie and the others began with the name of Jesus – who raises the dead – before whom nothing is impossible. The pastor’s spirit returned — the man revived. The head EMS person gave out a shriek and fainted! The team attended to the pastor and to her. She and the entire EMS team became believers! Hallelujah!

Once the commotion settled, that pastor told Ernie the pulpit was open to Ernie to speak anytime he wanted…!

Could you have prayed in faith for the life of someone who had declared you incompetent to minister?

Friend if you are in Christ Jesus, then that same Spirit that raised up Christ from the dead, and that pastor, dwells in you, and qualifies you, to share the treasures of the New Covenant, in word and in power, as happened here. 

So, today, walk in the New Covenant. You know Jesus, the Impossible Working God. You are qualified by the Spirit. So GO, help others, even if they are dead — to COME ALIVE!

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Welcome to Hank’s Place —                              

Some 30 odd years ago, I was far from understanding the grace of God that came to us at Calvary. And remains with us. Calvary is all Good News, my friend!

I was working hard to keep all the laws I found in the Bible. I was a perfect example of Galatians 3:2-3 and 5:1-4. Having received the Spirit by faith, I was trying to become justified and perfected by following the Law. Like most of us – wanting to please Jesus and ‘do the right thing’ I had switched back to working to accomplish this by self-effort; I had fallen from grace.

And of course, it wasn’t working. I labored under a cloud of failure, accusation and condemnation. Ministry, what ministry there was, was empty, hollow, ineffective. Maybe you have been there, Maybe you are there right now?

BUT GOD, who knows the thoughts and intentions of the heart, had mercy upon that young man, Hank, and his wife and children. What did God do? He sent us – a man.

What was this man like? Did he have a Phd in Theology? A seminary professor? Other credentials? No, God sent a former alcoholic truck driver who had destroyed his marriage and family – but who then met Jesus, and was transformed. His name was Ernie, and he loved people, having experienced the love of God personally. He was full of mercy, having experienced the mercies of God for himself.

In a hard hard place? Cry to your Father. He’ll send help, likely a person. I’d met Ernie on a mission trip, some months prior, and one day he felt the need to visit us — that was the Holy Spirit. His favorite expression, directed toward me, was, “Hank, you gotta change.” He had experienced the devastation to his own life from his being a stubborn drunk and now his heart went out to help others.

For 2 weeks he lived with us – again and again saying, “Hank, you gotta change.” I couldn’t stand it. My facade that all was well – crumbled. I saw I needed to change, but I had no idea of WHAT to change – or HOW to change. Prayer? Fasting? Mission trips? Bible study? What? What? WHAT????

Ernie didn’t know; the Holy Spirit had not revealed it to him. In desperation, my heart being wrenched open, I fell to my knees and pleaded with the Lord to show me what it was, what had to change, what hidden evil there was within me, what selfish ‘thing’ was hurting me and my family.

This is what Jesus said, “Son, you have given me all your achievements, your life, all the good things you have done. But there is yet more. You have held on to your failures, your defeats, the ugly incidents. The things you are ashamed of. Son, I died for those — especially for those. Will you let me have them?”

I had been keeping from Jesus what He wanted most! At that moment I surrendered all my failures to Jesus – He didn’t tell me I should have been a better Christian. No, He took them from me. And that mantle of failure and condemnation lifted and has never returned. 

Perhaps you have been trying to be the best Christian you can possibly be. Give it up, friend. And give Jesus your failures. The uglies. The nasties. HE DIED for those things. Let Him take them. You will be transformed. You will — COME ALIVE!  I know I did!

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Welcome to Hank’s Place —                  

Ever been the subject of a demonic attack? Yes, demons. Don’t know? Well, they have been present on earth since the fall of man – share a common goal with the devil: to kill, to steal, and to destroy – our lives. John 10:10.

Steal our peace, our finances, our family, our future – and more.
Kill our hopes and dreams, our loved ones, ourselves – literally, and more.
Destroy our lives and the lives of those we love – and more.

Ever had those odd, “that’s not me, why am I thinking – or saying – or doing – these things” experiences? That, my friend, is a demonic attack. Doubt demons are not real? Jesus treated them as real. So should we!

In Matthew 16:19 and 18:18, Jesus declares His disciples have authority in the spirit realm – whatsoever we bind or loose on earth shall have been bound or loosed in the heavenlies. As we are declaring something here on earth, it is simultaneously being done in the spirit realm. Demons must obey us – Luke 10:17, so why let them cause us misery? Let’s ruin their efforts, tear down their strongholds, using the name of Jesus.

Have you ever bound a demon? Cast one out of a person? Out of yourself? I’m not advocating a new career as a demon caster outer – but better to cast them out than to let them ruin a life!

In Ephesians 6:10-18, Paul says we are wrestling against evil forces and need the armor of God. ‘Wrestling’ — that explains how demons work against us: applying pressure. Twisting things, words especially. Squeezing the life out of us. Exhausting us to the point of tapping out. But they don’t stop then – they want us dead. Think of 2020. The covid farce. The illegalities surrounding the election. Then tell me demons aren’t real — ha!

I suggest you ask Jesus for the Charisma, the grace gifts, especially discernment of spirits, 1 Corinthians 12:10 and then bind those devils tormenting you and others in Jesus’ name and command people be loosed in the name of Jesus. Demons try to operate under the cover of darkness, assuring you they are not there and all your problems in life are your fault. Liars!

There are behavioral signs that point to a likelihood of demons messing with our lives. PM me or use our website to write, and I’ll send you a PDF, “Signs of a Need for Deliverance” from Frank and Ida Mae Hammond’s classic book, “Pigs in the Parlor.” I believe it may help you understand the working of demons in people’s lives, and help you help them — COME ALIVE!

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Welcome to Hank’s Place —                  

A number of years ago there was Come Alive Radio – we broadcast on the world’s most powerful privately owned short wave radio station and covered all of Africa – and other continents, too, with twice daily messages encouraging people to COME ALIVE. We received lots of mail from many countries, and some would cite Galatians 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ,” and then demanded our support for their projects, churches or themselves – or else we were not being true Christians.

Perhaps something similar has happened to you. Is that what Paul meant? Of course not! Check out those first 5 verses in Galatians 6. Keep them in their context. If a person stumbles into error, is overtaken in a trespass, not intentional, repetitive sinning, more of a sense of “Oops! That’s wrong!” — then a spiritual person – that’s someone well acquainted with their own weaknesses — and God’s mercies – should help that person.

The Greek words paint a picture of a person sagging under a heavy load, and someone helping restore that person to what they were before, like fishermen mending their nets.

So, when you look for or happen to see a brother or sister with such a burden, if you too are aware of your own weaknesses, simply help them. Not complicated. Not needing a big church program. In bearing another’s burden we are fulfilling the Law of Christ.

The Law of Christ is simply to love one another, as Christ has loved us. The passage goes on with a caution about falling into pride, because it can sure be tempting to think what a great Christian we are when we stoop down to bail someone out of their troubles. Remember Philippians 2:3-4, to esteem others better than ourselves, to look out not only for our own interests, but also for the interests of others? Good to live that way.

What about verse 5, “For each one will bear his own load?” There Paul is speaking of our personal accountability before God. Earlier in verse 2 he is speaking of our need to care for others in the Body of Christ and he uses the word ‘heavy burden’ – something more than a man should carry. ‘Bear his own load’ in verse 5 is a different word, a common term for a man’s backpack. That load is something intended for us alone.

So – while we are all responsible for our own work, we can and should help bear the overwhelming burdens of our brethren caught up in a trespass. And as conduits of God’s grace — we’ll COME ALIVE!

So – Let’s let Him lift our head today — we’ll COME ALIVE!

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Welcome to Hank’s Place —                  

Jesus is on our side. FOR US, never against us. Not IF we perform, not IF we get it right, not IF we obey His commands. He is FOR us. Do you understand? John 3:16 begins, “For God so loved the world, He gave.… Before the world got itself together. Before the world got it right. Well, the world still hasn’t gotten it right. Before the world even existed, Jesus went to bat for us: totally, completely. Encouraging, isn’t it? 

Psalms 3:3 expresses this truth: ‘Jesus is forever the Lifter of our head.’ Never run from Jesus, dear friend, even if you’ve just committed the worst mess-up ever. Run TO Him. He will lift you up, lift your head. He dispenses fresh hope. Catch His promise in Psalm 94:19, “When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your comfort delights my soul.” 

But what if we have been diagnosed as having a mental illness? Such individuals have seldom found help within the Church – society  shuns them – and the church most times. Isn’t Bible reading, prayer church attendance and fellowship supposed to be cure-alls? Not for those of us battling mental illness. And what about Jesus? Does He say, “Just suck it up, stop with your excuses and live life like you are supposed to?”NO, that’s not OUR Jesus! 

Consider the leper of Matthew 8:2-4. In Jesus’ day, only “whole” people were allowed to participate in temple life. Those with diseases such as leprosy had to stay away. They weren’t welcome. They were considered infectious and untouchable. But Jesus was not afraid to touch the untouchables.

As Paul Ellis of New Zealand has said, “When we cultivate the attitude that church is a place for perfect people with perfect hair and perfect smiles, we inevitably marginalize those who are going through hard times. “You’ve got to be walking in victory every day.” But what if you’re not? What if you can’t get out of bed because you’re bound with anxiety and fear? What then? People suffering with mental illness and emotional instability can be made to feel like the lepers of old.”

If we are mentally unwell does NOT mean we are sinners. ALL of us were probably in a mentally unwell place throughout 2020. Think about it! In that place it’s hard to grab ahold of truths such as Christ IS in us, Jesus has died FOR US and His love is unconditional toward us. Overcomer in Christ? What’s that?!

Well, Jesus had a thing for lepers. He healed so many! It shows His heart is always FOR the broken and hurting — for those outside the camp — for those who can’t get out of bed — for those whose medicine cabinets are full of Zoloft and Prozac. He is FOR you and FOR me dear friend. You and I may not have had a diagnosis of mental illness, but all of us have struggles with anxiety, depression, stress and a whole bunch of life issues.

So – Let’s let Him lift our head today — we’ll COME ALIVE!

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Welcome to Hank’s Place —                  

In case you haven’t noticed, fear is still running amok in our streets. People are asking one another: “Did you get a vaccine yet? Which one? Effectiveness? 2nd dose?” Boosters? The New York Mets and Yankees stadiums will have separate sections for those vaccinated and those who are not. The vaccinated section can be fully seated, the other will be 6 foot separations. You’ll have to wear a mask in both, regardless. Outdoors. In the breeze. 

It is one thing to pray, to listen to the Spirit, to think things through, but this is the other thing.

The fear of death, that great weapon of the devil, Hebrews 2:14-15, is parading itself across all media — does it cause fear to arise in you? Are you one of those folks wearing a mask inside your car on the freeway? While swimming? Skydiving?

Well here at Hank’s Place we love the Gospel — and we don’t love the Chinese virus, any plague, ANY FEAR. Living in fear and obeying media commands is not OUR future my friend, this is not OUR portion today — or ever. You are a believer, not an unbeliever, correct? I urge you, take a moment and reaffirm your believing in Jesus Christ, who reigns as LORD over ALL.

Peter believed the word of the Lord and walked out on the water, Matthew 14:28. Storms of life caused him to take his eyes off of Jesus and he faltered a bit — but there was Jesus. And Jesus is here today in the storms of our life, too. Peter cried out as he went down and Jesus was there. Be assured dear friend, if we cry out, Jesus is there. 

And keep this in mind: in Luke 10:17-20 it says Jesus gave His followers AUTHORITY in the spirit realm. To mash the enemy — without fear of being harmed. It’s true, it’s God’s word, but for it to be true for us — we should believe it. Say NO to demons, to all the power of the enemy — including FEAR.

Remember the word of God found in Psalm 91 — and believe it! He IS our refuge. He DOES rescue us from hidden traps. From night terrors. Violence by day. Disease at night. From disaster. Others may succumb, drop like flies right and left — but we who place our trust in the Lord will be untouched.

GOD says so. Let’s believe it. Let’s hold onto God for dear life. As The Message says, “Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times; I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.” Psalm 91:15.

He won’t reprimand us if we have a moment of fear: He will rescue us, throw a party and we’ll — COME ALIVE!

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Welcome to Hank’s Place

Here at Hank’s Place we love the Gospel — this Good News that Jesus Christ, Son of God, was crucified for us, died for us, and rose again in triumph, for us — in order to save us from our sins, taking the punishment for those sins, transforming us from unworthy creatures deserving eternal wrath — into sons and daughters of the Living God, destined to live with God the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and with our brothers and sisters in Christ, eternally! 

That’s a message worth sharing, isn’t it. Whether they believe it or not, receive it or not, we have been “commissioned” it says in Matthew 28:19, to share this message with the world.

Listen to Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:17 “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made of no effect.” Paul forewarns us that the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. Indeed, he adds, “has God not made foolish the wisdom of the world? …and God was pleased through the foolishness of this message preached, to save those who believe.” 

Although Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; we preach Christ crucified to – everyone. “We preach Christ crucified.” That reminds me of a story…. There once was a church. With adjectives. Vibrant. Alive. Dynamic. Thriving. Countless decisions for Christ, baptisms, ministries, outreaches – the envy of many other churches. Over the doorway of the church, carved in stone, was 1 Corinthians 1:23: “We Preach Christ Crucified.” And they did. 

But over the years their fervor began to wane – ivy grew up the church walls and obscured a word of the inscription. It now said, “We Preach Christ” – indeed, they spoke well of Jesus, the good things He’d done, the healings, the words, the inspirational example, but no longer crucified – for US. More time went by and the ivy grew and the fire of life in the church further waned. Those marvelous words over the doorway now read, “We Preach” – and they did, but it was about this and about that and no longer Christ, the crucified Messiah – for US. 

More time, more ivy, less fire. Visitors to the church saw a message over the door. It now read, “We” – for the church had become a social club, a fine gathering place for friendships, connections and such, but no word concerning the Christ, crucified – for US.

Although this story is about a church my friend, but it could easily be about you and me. Let’s not forget our Great Commission, to let the world know about Jesus, the Cross, His death and resurrection – and the eternal benefit. It’s Good News. And it will cause others — to COME ALIVE!

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Welcome to Hank’s Place –

Here at Hank’s Place we keep the Gospel simple — for a simple reason: because it is!

For God so loved the world – that HE gave – His only Son – that whoever – believes in Him – should not perish – but have eternal LIFE. John 3:16. Simple. Revealing. Incredibly profound.

The preceding 2 verses add to this. In them John tells us that the Son had to be, “must be” he says, crucified (shudder) – that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.

Believe in Him? Believe in Him just what, exactly? Well, Jesus IS the Son of God for one thing. Paul in 1 Corinthians 15 explains that Christ died for us, was buried, raised up on the 3rd day – all in accordance with the Biblical prophecies.

In 1 Corinthians 15:20-26 Paul declares Christ was raised – the first fruits of ALL who will be raised from the dead. We too shall rise from the dead, you see. Good News! And there will be a final judgment when even death and hell will come to an end in the Lake of Fire – wait – I’m getting ahead of myself in the Gospel’s simplicity, sorry, but it so encouraging to know that the end of wickedness is foretold – by God – so it is a sure thing.

The Gospel – the Good News – has a focus: JESUS CHRIST. The Gospel is not about us — it is all about Him. Religion has a different focus: us. What we must do to make ourselves acceptable to God. Religion says, “Clean up your act in order to be accepted.” NOT Good News. 

I believe the Philippian jailer in Acts 16:30 was thinking along these lines when he fell before Paul and Silas and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Paul got him straightened out quickly. “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Good News.

Don’t be fooled my friend. The Gospel is about Jesus. Pilgrimage? No. Your ‘paying the price?’ No. Jesus did. Your life reformation? No. Baptism? No. Convert to Judaism first? No. The mystery of the Gospel is that it is for everyone. Without reservation. Without pedigree. Believe in Jesus Christ – and He will come to dwell within you and make all things NEW.

Way back when I was a young Christian, during what was called the Charismatic Movement (“Charis” means GRACE by the way), we would sing a simple little song, “There is Power in the Blood” – referring to Jesus’ life given up as a sacrifice for us. It went, “Would you be free from your burden of sin? There’s power in the blood, power in the blood.” Jesus’ life given for us. “Would you o’re evil a victory win? There’s wonderful power in the blood. There is power, power, wonder working power in blood, of the Lamb. Repeat. Simple. True. Like the Gospel. 

Today, consider the precious blood of the Lamb – and its power. You’ll — COME ALIVE!

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Welcome to Hank’s Place –

Last Hank’s Place I was sharing with you from Ephesians 3 on the wonderful, beyond measure, love of God leading to being filled up with ALL the fullness of God. THAT — is a mouthful!

May we be strengthened with power by the Holy Spirit in the inner man, Paul prayers, so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith….

The Amplified says, may God, out of the riches of His glory, strengthen and spiritually energize us with power through His Spirit in our innermost being and personality!

What’s that tell you? It tells me Jesus is totally awesome and mighty and beyond our capacity — and we have no chance of inviting Him into our hearts — until the Holy Spirit strengthens us – oh thanks be to God….

Then Paul prays that we become rooted and grounded in LOVE. Well, that sounds like enough, but from Paul’s perspective it’s just the beginning! Becoming rooted and grounded in love enables us to comprehend the infinite scope of God’s love. Comprehend?

The Message Bible says that with both feet planted firmly on love, we’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. So reach out and experience its breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. I want that — how about you?

The Amplified adds, may we come to know practically, through personal experience, the love of Christ which far surpasses mere knowledge without experience, that we may be filled up throughout our being to all the fullness of God, so that we may have the richest experience of God’s presence in our lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself.

Being flooded with God Himself – O happy day!

Now, knowing His love in this way leaves no room in our hearts and minds for other things. Things like: resentment. Unforgiveness. Hatred. Bitterness. Rejection. Fear of rejection. Inferiority. Pride. LOVE NEVER FAILS. All these other things are swept away by the unfailing love of God. The enemy may have placed many obstacles to His love in our lives, but look: here comes that tidal wave of LOVE — immeasurably high and wide and long — and sweeping every obstacle into oblivion.

Today, if you are struggling with resentment, unforgiveness, rejection — whatever — stop struggling, but pray like Paul did. Soon that tidal wave of God’s love, and His Fullness, will sweep away all that junk — and Y O U will — COME ALIVE!

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Welcome to Hank’s Place –

I have a confession to make. I believe the Word of God — is true. I believe He stands behind His Word — and with Him having all authority and all power — His Word WILL come to pass.

Here in America, many of us, likely you, groan as we see our beloved country heading toward ruin in the hands of the wicked. We cry to God, “How much longer,” don’t we?

Well, God does not approve of wickedness in places of authority. He has said, Proverbs 14:34, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” God has said, Proverbs 16:12, “It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, because a throne is established on righteousness.” God has also said, Proverbs 11:5, “the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.” And He has said, Proverbs 11:19, “the one who pursues evil attains his own death.”

These are TRUE words from God. So be encouraged friend, for righteous vindication is on its way.

Let’s look at Jesus a moment. In John 1:17 John says the Law was given through Moses; but grace and truth were realized (found their full expression) through Jesus Christ. The new covenant, thanks to Jesus, has an inexhaustible supply of grace — “grace upon grace” says verse 16, and truth. This is in total contrast to the old order of rigid laws and regulations as given through Moses.

Grace upon grace, or grace for grace — literally, it’s ‘grace instead of grace.’ You could think of it this way: as one piece of divine grace, so to speak, begins to recede, it is replaced by another, and another…. It is never exhausted. Like ocean waves. The harsh unyielding law as the focus of divine revelation has been replaced by Christ Jesus, Who has become OUR WAY OF LIFE. I’m ‘feeling’ better already as I consider our Jesus – aren’t you?

Here’s another ‘feeling better’ passage. It’s Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21. It’s a great prayer for all of us to pray. Paul’s asking that we truly know the love of God – which is beyond knowing. And, now get this — and, that we may then be filled to ALL the fullness of God. 

Think about that. The bible commentator Adam Clarke states, “to be filled with God is great. To be filled with the fullness of God is greater still. But to be filled with ALL the fullness of God – Him who fills all in all – is utterly bewildering to our senses and confounds our understanding.”

So ask Him my friend, and God will pour His love into you, and fill you with ALL the fullness of Himself. Yes, ask Him today — and COME ALIVE!

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