Mark Hankins Ministries

April 2018 - Get Out of the Ruts You've Been Stuck In

GET OUT OF THE RUTS YOU’VE BEEN STUCK IN

Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.
-Isaiah 43:18-19 (Message)

There was a warning sign on a remote and muddy road marked by deep ruts that said, “Be careful of the ruts you get in because you could be stuck in them for the next 60 miles.” That is a long time to be stuck!  It has been proven that we have similar ruts in our brains from repeated ways of thinking. But there is a way to get out of those ruts we have been stuck in. And that is through sanctification.

Sanctification happens when we daily “reckon” on the reality of our union with Christ. The word reckon is an accounting term meaning to record the facts.  It is daily and continually offering every faculty—including our minds—continually to the dominion of the Holy Spirit. We are transformed by the renewing of our minds (Eph. 4:23).

The Jerusalem Bible says in Ephesians 4:23 our mind must undergo a spiritual revolution. The first thing that takes place in a revolution is a complete takeover of communication. Philemon 6 says when we acknowledge every good thing which is in us in Christ, our faith will become effective and contagious.  People around us will see a difference. They will catch our faith.

YOU CAN HAVE A FRESH MENTAL ATTITUDE

God wants to do a work in your mind and imagination. Ephesians 4:24 (AMP) says, “Be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude].” Hebrews 10:16 follows this thought: “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, said the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them.” The Amplified Bible says, “on their mind will I inscribe them (producing an inward change).”

This new life in Christ comes with a new way of thinking which brings a totally new lifestyle. What you struggled with in your past will be no more. 

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.  But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies...he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.
-Nahum 1:8–9

Sin and affliction have come to an end! That enemy will never come back.

So if anyone becomes united to Christ, he is a fresh Creation; the original conditions have passed away; mark! they have been replaced by new conditions.
-2 Corinthians 5:17 (Wade)

...he becomes a new person altogether—the past is finished and gone, everything has become fresh and new.
-Phillips

The power of the cross brings old things to an end. God has a new plan for your life! It is a dawning of a new day! The accuser must be silent. The enemies of fear, anxiety, shame, and guilt will never rise and come back to haunt you. You’ve put your trust in the blood of Jesus, you’re sanctifying yourself, and God is making a way where there was no way. Get ready for the new!

THE MESSAGE AND WORLD MISSIONS

In March, we concluded our annual Supernatural Leadership Conference. This year’s theme was “The New: Experiencing Breakthrough on Every Level.” It was a tremendous time of practical Bible-based instruction and a time of refreshing through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. There were hundreds of ministers in attendance (pastors, evangelists, teachers, missionaries and leaders) who were strengthened and equipped.

This month’s offer features our BRAND NEW booklet and 3 CD set called, “The New: Experiencing Breakthrough on Every Level.” We believe these materials will encourage you to expect a breakthrough as you obey God’s call in 2018.

We are anticipating a powerful impact being made in our three upcoming mission trips.  In April, we’ll return to Mexico City.  Then in May we are excited to be in Kiev, Ukraine and Nairobi, Kenya!  Your partnership in prayer and financial support will enable us to effectively teach pastors and leaders who come from all these regions. Believe with us for an outpouring from Heaven.

Most of all, we bless you, our partners, with these words from Philippians 4:18,19 (GW):  "Your gifts are a soothing aroma, a sacrifice that God accepts and with which he is pleased.  My God will richly fill your every need in a glorious way through Christ Jesus."

In Christ,
Mark and Trina

September 2017 - Paul's System of Truth!

THE POWER OF TRUTH

The Gospel is multi-faceted and meets every need. The four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—are a proclamation of the Gospel. The book of Acts is a demonstration of the Gospel. Paul’s letters are an explanation of the Gospel. The four Gospels are like a photograph of redemption. Paul’s epistles are like an X-ray. An X-ray shows things that cannot be seen in a photograph. In a photo you see the external, but an x-ray shows the internal. Both of these pictures are necessary to see the picture of redemption in its entirety.

Paul’s revelation explains the necessity of the crucifixion of Christ and what happened in the spirit realm. The four Gospels show us what man saw. Paul’s epistles tell what God saw. He explains what happened when Jesus ascended into Heaven and secured our redemption with His blood. Paul’s epistles are the words of Jesus, the head of the church, talking to us from the right hand of God. James Stalker said this about Paul’s epistles:

The right way to look at them is to regard them as the continuation of Christ’s own teaching. They contain the thoughts that Christ carried away from the world unuttered....There was one great subject especially that Christ had to leave unexplained — His own death. He could not explain it before it had taken place. This became the leading topic of Paul’s thinking — to show why it was needed and what were its blessed results…. 

A BETTER SYSTEM

The writer of Hebrews explained that the old laws and good works cannot compare to the work of redemption God has done for us in Christ.  

The sacrifices under the old system were repeated again and again, year after year, but even so they could never save those who lived under their rules...He cancels the first system in favor of a far better one. Under this new plan we have been forgiven and made clean by Christ’s dying for us once and for all. Hebrews 10:1-2,10 (TLB)

The first system had to be replaced by a new and better system which provided righteousness, ordained by God and sealed by the blood of Christ.  This System of Truth is found in Paul's letters and enables believers to understand and grow in the reality of what Jesus has done and is doing for us.

James Stalker said, “Paul’s letters contain the thoughts that Jesus carried away from this world unuttered.” Jesus had much more to tell His disciples than He could while He was on earth (John 16:12-15).  The Holy Spirit, through Paul, explains this powerful, liberating revelation of truth!

Romans 6:17 says, “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.” Way’s translation says, “new teaching.” Rotherham’s translation says, “mold of teaching.” My favorite is Weymouth’s translation: “...that system of truth in which you were instructed.” Paul’s “system of truth” can be found throughout his epistles.  Since Satan is a liar, the truth does great damage to him and gives tremendous power to believers. You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32,33).  “Being then made free from sin, you became the servants of righteousness,” Romans 6:18.

THE NEW SYSTEM OF TRUTH

One of the simplest illustrations of a system is a chain.  A chain is a group of links that are inter-dependent upon each other for the strength of the whole.  Not any one link can be a chain; all the links are dependent upon the others.  The Apostle Paul’s letters contain an inter-dependent group of revelation realities centering on what God has done for us in Christ.

In Paul’s System of Truth, these eight points are the eight links, which have their center in redemption:

1. Paul’s Pneuma Concept: Spirit, Soul, and Body
2. Identification with Adam
3. Man’s Condition in Adam
4. What Happened to Jesus from the Cross to the Throne
5. Identification with Christ
6. Who we are and What we have Now in Christ
7. What Jesus is Doing for us Now
8. How to Grow Up in Christ

Satan's works can only succeed in the dark, but the light of the Gospel stops anything that only works in the dark.  With an understanding of these principles, you will walk in the freedom God has provided in redemption.

SPECIAL OFFER: PAUL’S SYSTEM OF TRUTH 2.0

This month we would like to offer you our brand new 4 CD series called, Paul’s System of Truth 2.0. These messages will give you further insight on what happened from the cross to the throne and how to live victoriously, empowered by these truths.  We would also like to offer you our book, Paul’s System of Truth.  For your offering of $25 we will send you both of these resources to feed your faith. 

MISSIONS: PAPUA NEW GUINEA

There is a mighty move of the Holy Spirit in Papua New Guinea!  Help us, through partnering in prayer and financial support, to bring in pastors and leaders and to feed them both naturally and spiritually.  The Holy Spirit said, "Bless a pastor, bless a church.  Bless a church, bless a city.  Bless a city, bless a nation!"  Because of your partnership, we declare, "My God shall supply all your need!"  We thank God for YOU! 

In Christ,
Mark and Trina Hankins