GRIPPED BY
By Pastor Mark Anderson
Strengthened in Faith
Consistency is always a byproduct of conviction. From time to time, we’ve all thought, “I’m just not feeling it,” or “I’m not really getting much out of church.” But when feelings become the main measure of our faith, we’re building on shaky ground. Feelings are real, but they are never meant to be our final authority.
Abraham’s life is such a powerful reminder. Romans 4:20 tells us, “He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.” Abraham didn’t lean on how he felt—his circumstances were overwhelming—but his convictions anchored his consistency. He knew God was faithful.
That’s my prayer for us as well. I’m asking God to strengthen my faith, and I encourage you to examine yours. What does your behavior say about your beliefs? Strong convictions in the power and faithfulness of our great God will always produce consistent, steadfast obedience.
Our feelings rise and fall like the tide, but God’s promises never change. Our salvation rests securely on Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice on the cross. Our future is secure, and His Holy Presence is unfailing. When feelings threaten to take the wheel, we must set them aside and stand firm in faith.
I’m praying for a fresh outpouring of God’s renewing and refreshing Spirit—that His Church would once again be filled with passionate worshippers and seekers of His heart.
So, this week, when emotions begin to interfere with faithfulness, remember that you are held fast—not by feelings, but by God’s unchanging grace.
Let’s keep walking strengthened in faith, always…
Gripped by Grace
Pastor Mark
Anchor Church
Not My Way, but Yahweh!
I’ve been thinking a lot about prayer in my own life and in the church I lead. Most believers would agree that developing a consistent, passionate prayer life is one of the hardest disciplines to maintain. The Lord’s disciples never asked Him how to walk on water, but they did ask Him how to pray. Can you imagine listening as Jesus spoke to His Father?
Among the many lessons Jesus gave, He taught His disciples to pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:9–13). Yet so often my prayers are simply telling God my will—what I think should happen. And when those requests don’t come to pass, I sometimes grow reluctant to pray. But since God already knows my needs, why does He still call me to pray?
I believe it’s because prayer brings our hearts and minds into alignment with His Kingdom purposes. When we pray for His will to be done and persist until our hearts are warmed by His presence, we participate in God’s powerful work being carried out on earth.
Psalm 106:15 says, “He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul.” The children of Israel were consumed with their wants and desires, but when God granted some of those requests, the result was spiritual decline. I don’t want that for us. Instead, let’s press into God’s heart, His Word, and His Spirit’s leading.
That’s why every Sunday morning at 9:45 we circle up to ask God to manifest His power and presence among us. Once a month, on the third Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., we gather again to declare His glory and agree together in prayer. I would love for you to join us.
Let’s not seek our own way, but Yahweh’s way—knowing we are always…
Gripped by Grace!
Pastor Mark
Anchor Church
A Freight Train of Trouble
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV
Recently, the rodeo in Sisters, Oregon, made the national news when a bucking bull leapt out of the arena and into the audience. A bystander caught the scary scene on his cell phone as the bull crashed through the concession stands and approached the unsuspecting crowd. The woman that was standing there visiting with a couple of cowboys didn’t even know what hit her as the bull slammed into her like a runaway locomotive. The bull tossed her into the air and then tossed her once again on the tips of his horns, spinning her around like a limp rag doll before sending her crashing to the ground in a crumpled heap on the asphalt. Everyone gasped with horror as the tragic scene played out. For that poor lady, everything changed in a split second.
In the verse above, Christ promised us, “In this world, you will have trouble.” Tragedy can strike at a moment’s notice. Maybe it’s a death in the family, bad news from the doctor, divorce, injury, or the loss of a job. At some point, tragedy will charge into us like a 2000-pound bull. Not one of us is immune to trouble.
But we don’t stop there, because the Lord tells us to “take heart” because he has “overcome the world.” Yes, we will have troubles here, but there is coming a day when there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain; every tear will be wiped away because Christ overcame the world (Revelations 21:4). However, it requires each of us to put our trust in Him to save us. When we find ourselves being tossed on the horns of the bull, or when we find ourselves in the midst of the storm, we can still find peace knowing that God has a purpose and a better day is coming. Oh, and one more thing…amazingly, the woman at the rodeo was released from the hospital the following day with only minor injuries!
Thank you, Mike Boren (one of his devotional) for those encouraging words. It's time to "Take Heart" always...
...gripped by Grace!
Pastor Mark
Anchor Church
Overcoming Isolation and Division
I noticed it seemed to get worse after Covid. I'm referring to isolation and division in the body of Christ. As an introvert, I naturally find plenty of excuses to pull away from crowds, and since I alone have the correct opinions, it's easy for my blame everyone else for divisiveness (please know that I'm kidding, sort of).
I read through the Proverbs each month. Proverbs 18:1 declares, "A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire. He rages against all wise judgment."
I had to acknowledge my culpability in isolation and division. Warren Wiersbe once wrote, "As long as believers submit to someone other than the Lord, division and dessension will exist among God's people. Unity comes, not because we have a common enemy, but because we obey a common King!"
The health of the body of Christ, then, depends on Spirit-filled believers learning to submit to King Jesus. He enables us by His power to love the unlovely, bear with the difficult and keep our opinions on a leash. Why not take a minute to pray for that hard to love believer in your family or church. As you pray for God to bless them, He will supernaturally take your hatred and replace it with love, if you let Him of course.
I hope you are having a great summer. I hope to see you in church this Sunday.
Let's not forget in the everyday craziness of life that we are always...
Gripped by Grace!
Pastor Mark
Anchor Church
Strengthening ourselves in the Lord
One of my favorite stories in the Bible happened during a low point in the life of David. Tired of running from Saul, David had taken refuge in a city of the Philistines. He pretended to be the enemy of Saul so the Philistines would allow him to hide out. One day while David and his men were out, a group of bandits came into Ziklag and took all of their belongings, their families and burned all their tents. When David's men saw what had happened, they were so overtaken by grief that they turned on David and considered stoning him to death. Grief often causes us to lash out in an unwise way. Anyway, instead of giving into grief or fear 1 Samuel 30:6 says, "...But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God." Interestingly, the word "strengthen" can mean "to wrap oneself around". David wisely wrapped himself around the Lord and found strength. As a consequence, David and his men were able to get all their belongings and families back.
I don't know what threatens to weaken you and your faith. I do know that all of us face challenges that are too big, too overwhelming that cause us to lose hope and strength. When that happens God longs for us to "wrap ourselves around the Lord". We will discover that He wraps Himself around us and brings a deep sense of strength and hope, knowing that whatever we face, we do not face alone.
Paul told the Philippians, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything with prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6
Let's not forget when we're weak or afraid we are always...
Gripped by Grace!
Pastor Mark
On Good Friday our thoughts migrate to the cry of the people, "Crucify Him!" Not even a week before the people cried out, "Hosanna!" How could the tables turn so fast? The short answer is, Jesus disappointed them. They were looking for a Jesus who would make their live easier here on earth. They wanted a Jesus who would protect them from pain, but He didn't even protect Himself from pain. They wanted a Jesus who would force submission on their enemies, but instead He humbly submitted to monstrous treatment by those very enemies. They wanted a Jesus who would pray down God's wrath on others, but instead He prayed down God's forgiveness on everyone.
What "kind of Jesus" are you looking for? Has He disappointed you yet? Has He allowed your heart to be broken? If God chose to change the world through the broken heart of His Son, why does it surprise us when He allows our heart to be broken. The world we live in does not understand or celebrate sacrificial love, but it is the way God chose to save us from our sin and from ourselves. Jesus was not a martyr but a willing sacrifice. The Apostle Paul declared that Jesus "gave Himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world..." (Galatians 1:4)
Let's take some time to reflect and rejoice in the sacrifice Jesus gave to set us free from sin. Be baptized and publicly declare your faith in Christ's death and resurrection.
It's good to be gripped by Grace!
Pastor Mark
Anchor Church
It Really is All Good
Life can be challenging, but God is always good. We are certainly living in "perilous times" (2 Timothy 3:1)—natural disasters, fires, global financial struggles, and political instability create an ongoing sense of uncertainty about what the future holds. Yet, as Christians, our hope is anchored in God and the blessed promise that this world is not our permanent home, but a brief stop on the way to a glorious Heaven.
In moments like these, it's reassuring to remember God's promise in Romans 8:28: "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
Indeed, it really is "all good!" Our hope is not found in the stock market, our jobs, or our government. Our strength and confidence come from Jesus Christ, who has promised, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).
So, take heart, and remember we are...
Gripped by Grace!
How is God’s grace sustaining you today?
Pastor Mark
Anchor Church