Mark Hankins Ministries

July 2020 - The North Side of the Mountain

July 2020 

Dear Partner,

THE NORTH SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN

…for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.   2 Timothy 1:12

Several years ago, I bought Trina a beautiful baby grand piano.  I enjoy hearing her play and sing many of the old hymns we sang in church growing up.  We have a piano tuner come to our house and tune the piano regularly.  One day when I came home I heard beautiful classical music coming from our den.  As I entered the room I began to talk to the gentleman as he tuned the piano.  He said that our piano has a particularly “sweet” sound.  I asked him what he meant by that and he said that some pianos just have a sweeter sound than others.  He also said that piano manufacturers prefer to use the wood from 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 and finer together. He said most piano manufacturers actually prefer the wood that comes from the trees on the north side of the mountain.  The finest piano manufacturers will only use the wood from the north side of these trees.  This wood produces the sweetest sounds.  I found it interesting that the sweetest music comes from the trees that have the most difficult environment.

THE SWEETEST SOUND ON EARTH 

Many times, we face difficult situations in life that threaten to destroy us.  However, if we will believe God and feed on His Word, He will strengthen us in every situation.  The Holy Spirit will strengthen our inner man with mighty power and will enable us to stand.  He will cause the “wood grain” to grow finer so that the “sweet sound” of grace and faith come from within.  What the devil intended for destruction can actually cause you to turn to God with such faith that His grace is imparted unto your spirit and soul.  God specializes in turning even the most difficult situations around.  

The Apostle Paul went through great adversity and yet played the “sweetest music” in Ephesians and his other letters.  Many of the greatest men and women of God have faced all the challenges that come from the “north side” of the mountain.  Yet refusing to quit, they have acted on the Word of God and found strength to do the will of God.  Today, we play a part in determining the sound that comes from our lives.  What will we do when we are facing the pressures of life?  What is the secret of surviving and finishing your course?  The answer is in the Word of God.

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 1:2-4

 GOD’S PERFECT AND ENTIRE PLAN 

When you are facing different kinds of adversity, don’t lose your joy.  The joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10).  The joy of the Lord will strengthen your inner man and fortify your faith.   In Philippians 4:4 Paul said, “Rejoice in the Lord always….”  How can you rejoice in the middle of trouble?  Because you KNOW that the trying of your faith works patience and brings you into God’s perfect and entire plan (James 1:2-4).  You must 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 declared his faith in the midst of adversity (Job 5:22).  Many miss the importance of the joy aspect of faith.  1 Peter 1:8-9 says, "Yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith.”  Once you know and understand this, you will no longer get angry or depressed in times of adversity.  Instead, you will act on the Word of God.  The wood grain will grow strong and fine in your spirit and YOU WILL OVERCOME.  Get ready for the sweet sound of victory that gives glory to God!

SUMMER JOY PACKAGE

To help sustain your strength, we have a tremendous offer for you!  For your gift of $30 or more we will send this Summer Joy Package, which includes 12 CD messages, including The North Side of the Mountain, Faith Laughs at Impossibilities, Joy the Serious Business of Heaven, and the book, The Secret Power of Joy for a gift of just $30. 

LOOK WHAT THE LORD IS DOING

When the world is in turmoil and upside down, Jesus is leading us forward! Here are some things that are happening at MHM because of your partnership:  We are conducting daily online Bible School and have given away over $60,000 worth of free books! The 2020 MHM Campmeeting in Alexandria, LA was well attended and power-packed!  The Korean translation of our books is now in progress!  The Holy Spirit has given us the green light to begin plans for constructing a Conference Center!  We will soon share these plans with you.  It’s time for increase!  “God bless you and keep you, God smile on you and gift you, God look you full in the face and make you prosper.”

In Christ,

Mark and Trina

May 2020 - Hope the Anchor for your Soul

HOLDING STEADY IN THE STORMS OF LIFE 

Trina and I want to encourage you with this message of hope!   Years ago we visited the USS Midway in San Diego.  We were very impressed with this great battleship.  This aircraft carrier, which is now retired and visited by thousands of tourists each year.  It was used as a defender of freedom during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War.  Having served for almost 50 years, it is still inspiring visitors.  We were amazed at its capacity to carry over 4,000 men and the flight deck that could launch or land two fighter jets at the same time.  Its catapult system could launch a jet off its deck so fast that in less than 3 seconds it would be flying at 165 MPH.  It was a fascinating tour.  

I was especially impressed as we entered the anchor room where the massive 40,000-pound anchor was stored. The chain that holds the anchor is wound around giant spools.  Each chain link weighs over 130 pounds.  The tour guide said that when the anchor went down to secure the ship, everyone on the ship could feel the vibration as it reached the depths of the ocean to grip a solid rock.  Likewise, in the storms of life, the Apostle Paul said that we have an anchor for our soul, which is hope that grips the Solid Rock, Christ Jesus. 

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.  - Hebrews 6:18-19 Passion

When my mama prayed, I could always tell when her anchor of hope was taking hold of Jesus, at the mercy seat.  That’s when her praise got loud, and she began to take God’s faithful promises as her expectation!  Everyone in the house knew everything was going to be alright!

God’s hope is different than simply wishing, like someone throwing a coin into a wishing well for good luck. The Bible definition of “hope” is a cheerful, confident expectation of good.  It is an anchor for our soul and gives us a constant, cheerful, confident expectation of His goodness.  We can expect miracles in every situation.  What Satan means for evil, God turns for our good.  This anchor holds us steady while miracles are coming.   

Abraham’s faith became strong after he took his eyes off his body and looked to God who could quicken the dead.  He began to call things that were not as though they were.  He believed in hope. When it looked impossible, he believed it was possible.  Hope is as supernatural as faith and love.  These three abide forever: faith, hope, and love.  Hope is eternal.  This hope reaches beyond the seen into the unseen realm of God.  We lay hold upon this anchor of hope.  This gives us a tremendous inner strength that the world does not understand and we have a positive expectation in every situation in life.  Christ is the source of hope in us - He is the “hope of Glory” that causes us to win in life.

Sometimes you have to look in the mirror and talk to yourself like David did in Psalms 42 and 43 when he said, “Why are you downcast, oh my soul?  Hope thou in God…I will yet praise Him who is the health of my countenance.”  Encourage yourself. The most important conversations you will ever have are with yourself.  Turn your expectation to God.  One translation says, “EXPECT GOD TO ACT.”  Hope holds you steady and changes your countenance.  Faith gives substance to our hope.  Right now begin to praise God and cheer up! 

“We have access by faith into this grace in which we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God,” Romans 5:2. Rejoice in hope!  Begin expecting, experiencing, and enjoying the goodness of God. This hope will not disappoint because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost (Romans 5:5).  This is not a false hope or disillusion but is certain through all time and eternity. Notice FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE working together.  The anchor of hope holds your soul (mind, will, and emotions) steady.  “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost,” Romans 15:13.  The Amplified Bible says it overflows and bubbles over. Let your anchor go down into God’s Word and His presence now! 

The Gospel is going to new territory! Our offer this month is the messages I ministered, Hope: The Anchor for your Soul and our book, The Bloodline of a Champion which contains a chapter concerning hope.  For your offering of $25 or more, we will send you both of these.  We trust they will be a great blessing and encouragement to your faith.  

This year has been a very unusual year for all of us.  But right in the middle of a pandemic disease and financial downturn we can and must overflow with cheerful, confident expectation.  We must believe that the goodness of God prevails over every other circumstance.  We are going forward into new territory even in this time of challenge.  We believe you are doing the same.  Now, we are broadcasting the Word through television and social media to more people than ever before with the message of faith, hope and love.  We thank you for your partnership with us that makes all this possible.  Trina and I are constantly pressing forward for the plan and purpose of God.  Jesus is Lord and the body of Christ will prevail. 

In Christ,
Mark and Trina