Mark Hankins Ministries

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August 2019 - God Is Working In You

   Since I had the privilege of driving my kids, Aaron and Alicia, to school when they were young, I wanted to make the most of our time together. So, I taught them these Bible verses: Philippians 1:6; 2:13; 4:13 and 4:19. We memorized them, discussed them and to this day, they remind us that God is doing an ongoing, successful work in us.  Let’s look at Philippians 2:13 in some different translations: 

 God will continually revitalize you, implanting within you the passion to do what pleases Him.  (TPT) 

it is God who is all the while supplying the impulse, giving you the power to resolve, the strength to perform, the execution of His good pleasure.  (Way)  

[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight. (AMP) 

   Notice the word “worketh” because when you understand it, your expectation and hope will be limitless!  The Greek word for “worketh” is energeo, which is where we get the English word energy.  Energeo means: “the divine energy put forth to effectually bring about a tangible, noticeable change.”  It literally means it is the will of God to put forth power constantly, in every moment, active at every second that will change our behavior permanently.   

God is the One who is constantly putting forth His energy in you. (Wuest) 

   God Himself is personally working in you.  This takes you out of the trying department and into the doing department!    When you don’t have the energy or you don’t “want to” press on, just keep saying, “God is working in me.”  In the middle of trouble, God Himself is working. He has plans, purposes and divine appointments for you. God will get you in the right place, at the right time, with the right people. 
   God has made the plans for you and He Himself is working with His energy in you to accomplish them.  For He performs what is appointed for me... Job 23:14. You are the believer and God is the performer.  Ephesians 2:10 (AMP) says,  For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live. 

YOU WORK IT OUT 

   People who are serious about their physical development or a sport will hire a trainer, stick to a schedule and will even eat a certain kind of diet.  They may have a natural talent for a sport, but they must develop their skills and strengths with certain workouts, even when there is pain.  Pain is really a sign that weakness is leaving your body.  1 Tim. 4:8 (AMP) says, Physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness (spiritual training) is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come. 
   God is working in you, but you must personally work it from the inside to the outside.  Philippians 2:12 (AMP) says, …work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ).  God’s working in you. Now you work it out.  
   You might be weak in walking in love or being patient.  However, as you begin meditating on the Word and acting on it, you will strengthen yourself in God’s love.  Love is in you – you just have to work it out.  God has a reputation for working with real losers and making them champions! 
   At age 17 I got into some trouble with my friends, so my parents sent me to Africa to work with missionaries for the summer.  That meant I no longer had those friends, TV, rock music and a car.   One night I had a powerful encounter with God - God was working in me.  I knew when I got back home, I told my friends I wasn’t going out with them because I needed to study my Bible - I had to work it out They thought my mom was making me do it, but I wasn’t doing this for mom.  Instead, God was working new desires in me. This was serious spiritual training!  These are the areas I worked out:  1) Bible Meditation 2) Prayer in the Spirit 3) Identification with Christ 4) Walking in Love and 5) Generosity. 
   I was never voted the most likely to succeed in my 1973 high school annual, but now I’m the only one in my class to fly over our town in a jet! God has done a good work in my life and I can testify it doesn’t cost to serve God; it pays!  

WORK IT OUT 

   This month we want to offer you some tools that will help you with your spiritual training.  We have a brand-new 2 CD set called, “Work It Out.” Along with that we have a wonderful set called, “North Side of the Mountain.” God can make the sweetest music out of the greatest times of adversity in your life. For your offering of $25 or more we will send you these outstanding messages.  The love of God will never fail in any situation. It’s shed abroad in your heart by the Holy Ghost and will cause you to walk in victory.   
We recently returned from Kenya in East Africa. It was a wonderful time in the presence of the Lord with pastors, ministers and Bible School students who were so hungry to receive from God. We are also anticipating outstanding meetings in Sao Paulo, Brazil September 27 - 30, 2019.    
   Thank you once again for your faithful partnership with us in World Missions as we spread this message together! We agree with you for a harvest on your seed sown. One thing my daddy said was, “With God payday isn’t always on Friday, or the first, or the fifteenth, but God’s paydays always come (Hebrews 6:10)!”  

In Christ, 
Mark and Trina 

Posted by Mark and Trina Hankins with
in Love

June 2019 - Forgiveness

   These words were spoken to me by an experienced old timer” preacher.   I felt mistreated and was complaining to this minister about some friends who had done me wrong.  I wanted to get even with these people, and I was sure this minister would understand.  As I explained my situation, this minister said these powerful words that I have never forgotten, you may be able to whip a skunk, but you might not want to.  Anytime I want to get back at someone I always remember that skunk.   
   The first step to walking in Gods love is to forgive.  Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us... Eph. 5:1-2.   Gods love nature is in you and He would not require you to do something you couldnt do. God is faithful and just to forgive our sins, so like Him we can forgive. Then we are in position to receive forgiveness, mercy and answers to our prayers.  
   Jesus said in Mark 11:25, And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any.”  An ought is any little thing.  People say,” You ought to or ought not have done this.” Instead, Jesus said to forgive so that your Father in heaven can forgive you.  I sometimes think it would be good to spray some people down with ought remover!  Jesus said you can forgive while you stand praying.  It can be that quick! Dont say its going time to get over your offense. Time doesnt enable you to get over your hurt, only choosing to forgive does.   

THE COST OF UNFORGIVENESS  

   In Luke 17:1-6, Jesus taught the disciples to forgive, even up to seventy times seven times each day.  He also talked about the sycamine tree and how they could use their authority to command the tree to be uprooted and planted in the sea.  The sycamine tree actually represents offense.  Here are five amazing facts about sycamine trees: 1) the tree grows in dry places 2) the roots grow deep 3) the fruit is very bitter and is eaten by the poor 4) the wood is used for building coffins 5) it is pollinated by the stinger of a wasp.   
   Unforgiveness puts us in a spiritually dry place where Satan can find an entrance into our lives (Matt. 12:43).  Unforgiveness and bitterness grows deep roots that not only takes over your life, but defiles others as well (Hebrews 12:15).   As believers, we have the authority to speak to challenging places of offense in our life and they have to be planted in the sea.  The wonderful thing is the sea has the capacity to dissolve any bitterness and hurt so that we cant even remember it.   

 IT PAYS TO FORGIVE  

   Dad Hagin told a story about a lady whose daughter had epilepsy.  After spending some time with her, he found out that she had bitterness toward her mother-in-law.  She actually confessed to him, I hate my mother-in-law.”  Dad Hagin explained to her 1 John 3:15 says that if you hate your brother, youre a murderer.  He asked her to say those words again, and asked her to listen down on the inside this time.  So she said them again and described that she felt a little scratch inside. Dad Hagin told her that scratcwas the Holy Spirit trying to get her attention.  He instructed her to act like she would if she did love her mother-in-law, because she did.  This lady forgave her mother-in-law and began to pray for her.  The little girl was fine until a few days later when she suffered another seizure.  This time the mother simply said, Satan, Im walking in love.  Take your hands off my child.”  The seizure stopped and the girl never again suffered another attack.   
   I remember going to one of Dad Hagins meetings expecting to hear about his visions and latest revelations from God.  Instead, he preached a message about forgiveness and walking in the God kind of love.  I thought, That is not my problem.”  As he continued preaching, I realized I did indeed have a problem with unforgiveness.  At the end of the service, he called for those who needed to repent to stand to their feet.  I was sitting in the ministers section and thought there is no way I am going to do that – that would be embarrassing.   But I knew I needed to respond so I stood up, repented and decided, Im going to walk in love whether anyone else does or not.” It was a small adjustment, but it made a big difference.  In fact, in just 30 days, I was out of debt as a direct result of my decision to forgive and to walk in the love of God.  Does it pay to forgive?  Yes, it does! Faith works by love. 

LOVE: THE SECRET TO SUCCESS  

   This month we want to offer you some tools that will help feed your faith.  We have a 4 CD set called, “Love: The Secret to Success.” We also are excited to offer you a brand-new study booklet that includes scriptures and confessions that will help you renew your mind on the love of God.  For your offering of $25 or more we will send you these wonderful resources.  The love of God will never fail in any situation. It’s shed abroad in your heart by the Holy Ghost and will cause you to walk in victory.   
   As you receive this letter, we will be ministering in Zambia and Kenya.  We are expecting a great time in the Word and in the presence of God with these churches and Bible Schools.  We are also anticipating a wonderful time at our Campmeeting in Alexandria, LA June 23 – 28, 2019.  We want to personally invite you to be a part of these special meetings as we get saturated in the Word of God and His presence.   
   Thank you once again for your faithful partnership with us in World Missions.  As you sow your seed, we believe the seed is guaranteed! It has a return address. Your harvest never gets confused (Ruth 2:12; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Hebrews 10:35)! 

In Christ, 
Mark and Trina  

Posted by Mark and Trina Hankins with

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