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