Mark Hankins Ministries

The Anchor of Hope

While visiting the famous aircraft carrier, the USS Midway in San Diego, I was extremely impressed. The Midway was used as a defender of freedom during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War.  Although it is retired after fifty years of service, it still inspires thousands of tourists each year.  I was amazed at its capacity to carry over 4,000 men. As I stood on the flight deck, I saw that they could even launch and land two fighter jets at the same time.  Its catapult system could launch a jet off the deck so fast, that in less than three seconds, it would be flying at 165 MPH!

It was a fascinating tour, but what impressed me the most was the “Anchor Room.”  It is one of the larger rooms on the ship and contains a massive anchor that weighs 40,000 pounds. The chain that holds the anchor is wound around giant spools, with each chain link weighing over 130 pounds. Our tour guide informed us that when the anchor went down into deep waters, everyone on the ship could feel the vibration. While standing there in the anchor room, I thought about another anchor, the anchor of hope for our souls, mentioned in Hebrews 6:18-20. 

So it is impossible for God to lie for we know that his promise and his vow will never change! And now we have run into his heart to hide ourselves in his faithfulness. This is where we find his strength and comfort, for he empowers us to seize what has already been established ahead of time—an unshakeable hope! We have this certain hope like a strong, unbreakable anchor holding our souls to God himself. Our anchor of hope is fastened to the mercy seat which sits in the heavenly realm beyond the sacred threshold, and where Jesus, our forerunner, has gone before us. 

Hebrews 6:18-20 (Passion Translation)

When the strong winds blow, the anchor of hope reaches into Heaven and holds your soul steady. This is not a false hope, but it is certain through eternity.  Romans 5:5 assures us that it cannot fail because it is based on God’s unfailing love. “This hope will not leave us disappointed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.”  Some think of hope as simply wishing, like someone throwing a coin into a wishing well for good luck. However, the Bible’s definition of hope is “a cheerful, confident expectation of good.” Notice how faith, hope, and love work together. The anchor of hope holds your soul (mind, will, and emotions) steady, and fills you with joy and peace.   Romans 15:13 says, “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”  The AMPC says you are “overflowing and bubbling over with hope.”

In the middle of a storm, the most important conversations you will ever have are with yourself.  In Psalms 42 and 43, David said to himself, “Why are you discouraged?… Hope thou in God...I will yet praise Him who is the health of my countenance,”  David’s hope in God changed the expression on his face when he began to praise God.  He encouraged himself to have faith in God’s goodness with a positive expectation of the glory of God right in the middle of the storm. 

Here are four kinds of expectations that either bring victory or defeat in life:

1. Negative expectation is a fear of failure and expects the worst. “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4
2. Neutral expectation goes through life not expecting anything. Put your expectations in gear by recalling God’s faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; Therefore, will I hope in him.” Lamentations 3:21, 24
3. Misguided expectation looks to man alone. Naaman expected to be healed when Elijah waved his hand over him. Instead, healing came when he obeyed the prophet and dipped seven times in the muddy river (2 Kings 5). “My soul, wait thou only upon God; For my expectation is from him.” Psalm 62:5
4. Positive expectation results in positive, faith-filled action. The woman who was sick for twelve years turned her expectations only to Jesus. Her positive expectation moved her and when she touched Jesus’ clothes, she was healed (Mark 5:25-34).

Turn your expectation to God alone, even in the middle of a storm.  Expect God to act! Hope in God! The very thing Satan means for evil, God turns for your good. The anchor of hope holds you steady while your miracle is coming. 

This month for your offering of any amount, we want to offer you two messages called Unshakable Hope and the book, The Bloodline of a Champion.  Thank you for your faithful partnership with us. We have completed our Conference Center and had a ministers’ meeting last month with special guest Bro. Kenneth Copeland.  It was a dream come true night.  Thank you for your partnership that has made this possible.  Together, we are taking this message of hope around the world!  We declare to you, “My God shall supply all your need, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

In Christ, 

Mark and Trina

The North Side of the Mountain

Several years ago, I bought Trina a beautiful grand piano. One day, I heard beautiful classical music when I came into the house and knew someone other than Trina was playing our piano. I walked into the room and was ready to confront this stranger in my house.  What I didn't know was that the piano tuner had come to tune it.  He quickly introduced himself and I calmed down and began to talk to the gentleman as he finished tuning the piano. He explained to me that our piano had a particularly “sweet” sound. 

I was curious as to what makes a piano have a sweet sound?  When I asked him what he meant, he explained that piano manufacturers prefer to use the wood from the spruce trees that grow in the highest parts of the mountains. The higher altitudes and the cold north winds make it difficult for trees to grow and survive. As a result, the wood grain usually grows stronger together. He said most piano manufacturers prefer the wood that comes from the trees growing on the north side of the mountain. In fact, some will only use the wood from the north side of these particular trees because this wood produces the sweetest sounds. I found it interesting that the sweetest music comes from the trees that grow in the most brutal environment.

Many times, we face difficult things in life that threaten to destroy us. However, the Holy Spirit works in our spirits with mighty power and enables us to stand. He will cause the “wood grain” to grow finer so that the “sweet sounds” of joy and faith are heard coming from within. The very things the devil meant for destruction can result in your faith becoming stronger.  What the devil meant for evil, God has turned for good!

When the Apostle Paul and Barnabas found themselves in jail after preaching the gospel, instead of complaining, they prayed and sang praises to God. The sweet sounds of praise resulted in the earthquake that set them free!  The greatest men and women of God have all faced challenges on the “north side” of the mountain.  Refusing to quit, they acted on the Word of God and found strength to do the will of God.  Isaiah 41:10 AMPC says, “Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.” The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 3:16 (AMPC) wrote, “May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].”

What will you do when you are facing the pressures of life and you feel like you’re that spruce tree growing on the highest, coldest, north side of the mountain?  What is the secret to surviving and finishing your course?  How can you make a sweet sound instead of a broken, out-of tune noise?  Count it all joy!

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations, knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.  James 1:2-3

The joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

Rejoice in the Lord always…. Philippians 4:4

How can you rejoice in the middle of trouble?  You KNOW something other people don’t.  Paul said, “I KNOW whom I have believed,” 2 Timothy 1:12. In Job 19:25, Job said, “I KNOW that my Redeemer liveth” (Job 5:22).  1 Peter 1:8-9 says, "Yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith.”   You must know that the “wood grain” of your spirit is growing strong and fine, and you will overcome.  You will see God’s perfect and entire plan.  Get ready for the sweet sound of victory that gives glory to God!”

Our recent mission to Turkey was a powerful success that strengthened pastors and church leaders who came from Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Pakistan, Bulgaria, Europe, and the US. Thank you for your generosity to help distribute our books to these people groups.  You enabled many pastors to receive the teaching and the deluge of the Holy Spirit that fell.  Get ready for a massive harvest! 

Thank you also for your partnership on the new Conference Center.  You are invited to our first conference on November 7 – 9, 2023.  We would love for you to make plans to come and be a part of our first meeting as we teach on one of my favorite subjects, In Christ.

For a gift of any amount, we will send you the CD set, North Side of the Mountain and our book, The Holy Spirit is a Genius.  We believe these items will feed your faith.  Thank you for your faithful partnership with us and we declare that “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

In Christ,
Mark and Trina Hankins