GRIPPED BY
By Pastor Mark Anderson
God’s Waiting Room
Psalm 27:14 (NKJV)
“Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!”
Few places test our patience like a waiting room. Whether it’s a doctor’s office, an airport terminal, or sitting in traffic, waiting often feels like wasted time. We naturally want movement, answers, and resolution.
Spiritually, however, God often accomplishes His deepest work in His waiting room.
David wrote Psalm 27 while surrounded by uncertainty. Enemies threatened him, false witnesses opposed him, and his future was unclear. Yet instead of ending the psalm with a quick solution, he closes with a command he first gave to himself: “Wait on the Lord.”
Biblical waiting is not passive resignation. It is active trust. It is choosing to believe that God is working even when we cannot see Him working. Waiting says, “Lord, I trust Your timing more than my own.”
Notice the beautiful promise attached to the command: “He shall strengthen your heart.” We often ask God to change our circumstances, but sometimes He first changes our hearts. While we wait for Him to open the door, He is building courage, faith, endurance, humility, and deeper dependence upon Himself.
Someone wisely said, “God is rarely early, never late, and always on time.” His delays are not His denials. The waiting room is often the classroom where faith grows strongest.
If you find yourself waiting today—for healing, direction, reconciliation, provision, or an answer to prayer—don’t assume God has forgotten you. He is preparing you for what He has prepared for you.
Grace reminds us that our hope is never in the outcome but in the God who holds the outcome.
Prayer:
Lord, teach me to wait with confidence rather than anxiety. Strengthen my heart while I trust Your perfect timing. Help me remember that You are always working, even when I cannot see it. Thank You that Your grace sustains me in every season of waiting. Amen.
When you find yourself in God’s Waiting Room it’s good to remember that as you wait you are still…
…Gripped by Grace!
Pastor Mark
Anchor Church
"And He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul." — Psalm 106:15 (NKJV)
One of the most sobering verses in all of Scripture is Psalm 106:15. Israel desperately wanted meat in the wilderness. God had faithfully provided manna every morning, but His provision was no longer enough for them. They craved something else, insisted on having their own way, and eventually God gave them exactly what they demanded. Yet along with their request came an unexpected consequence: "He... sent leanness into their soul."
It is possible to have full hands and an empty heart.
The Israelites got what they wanted but lost something far more valuable in the process. Their appetites were satisfied, but their souls became thin, weak, and spiritually unhealthy.
A lean soul doesn't happen overnight. It develops little by little.
A soul becomes lean when we become so busy that we neglect time with God. It grows thin when entertainment replaces worship, when social media crowds out Scripture, when prayer becomes occasional rather than continual, or when we pursue comfort more passionately than Christ. A lean soul can also result from cherished sin, an unforgiving spirit, constant complaining, or simply trying to live on yesterday's spiritual experiences instead of seeking fresh fellowship with the Lord today.
The tragedy is that we can look successful on the outside while becoming impoverished on the inside.
So how do we cultivate a healthy soul?
David gives us the answer: "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God" (Psalm 42:1). A healthy soul hungers more for God's presence than for God's presents. It feeds daily on His Word, lingers in prayer, worships with gratitude, walks in obedience, and stays connected to the body of Christ. Above all, it learns to delight in God Himself rather than merely the gifts He gives.
Jesus reminds us, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). Bread nourishes the body, but only God's Word nourishes the soul.
Today, ask yourself a simple but searching question:
Is my soul growing stronger—or merely my schedule?
May we never become so consumed with getting what we want that we lose what we need most: a rich, vibrant, Christ-centered soul.
Prayer:
Lord, protect me from pursuing my own desires at the expense of my soul. Forgive me for the times I've been more eager for Your blessings than for Your presence. Create in me a deeper hunger for Your Word, a greater delight in prayer, and a heart that finds its satisfaction in You alone. Feed my soul until it overflows with Your grace. Amen.
It is comforting to remember that lean or not if we are a child of God we are always...
Gripped by Grace!
Pastor Mark
Anchor Church
When "I Will" Becomes "I Can't"
David begins Psalm 39 with great determination:
"I said to myself, 'I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue...'" (Psalm 39:1, NLT)
Notice the repeated phrase: "I will." David sincerely wanted to control his words. He made a commitment. He exercised self-discipline. He tried harder.
But it didn't work.
The more he held everything inside, the more pressure built until he finally burst (vv. 2-3). His best intentions were not enough. His "I will" eventually became "I can't."
Isn't that where so many of us live?
We say, "I'll be more patient."
"I'll stop worrying."
"I'll control my temper."
"I'll stop that habit."
Then we discover something humbling: our willpower has limits.
The turning point of the psalm comes when David stops talking to himself and starts talking to God.
"LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be..." (Psalm 39:4, NLT)
The focus shifts from his strength to God's presence.
I experienced something similar recently. I found myself wasting too much time scrolling on my phone. I kept saying, "I'm going to stop." I'd do well for a while, only to slip back into the same habit. My "I will" became "I can't."
Finally, I admitted it to the Lord.
Instead of promising to do better, I confessed my weakness and asked for His help. Something changed. God began giving me strength where my own resolve had repeatedly failed. The temptation didn't disappear overnight, but His grace became greater than my weakness.
Paul learned the same lesson when the Lord told him,
"My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9, NLT)
Or, as many of us learned it in the NKJV:
"My strength is made perfect in weakness."
God's strength reaches its full expression not when we pretend we're strong, but when we finally admit we're not.
Perhaps today your "I will" has become "I can't."
If so, don't despair—that may be the very place where God wants to meet you. The Christian life was never meant to be lived on self-effort. It is lived by daily dependence upon the Lord.
When "I can't" meets "You can," grace begins to do what determination never could.
Prayer:
Lord, I've discovered again that my own strength isn't enough. Thank You that You never asked me to live the Christian life on my own. Where I am weak, be strong. Where I fail, let Your grace sustain me. Help me stop striving and start trusting, so that Your strength may be made complete in my weakness. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Remember, whether you're doing good or slipping in your own weakness, there is never a time we are not...
Gripped by Grace,
Pastor Mark
It's amazing how quickly our minds can become filled with what we lack, what's hurting, or what we're still waiting on. Yet David gives us a beautiful reminder in Psalm 103:1-5 (NLT):
"Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me."
David doesn't simply tell himself to praise God—he tells himself not to forget. Why? Because we are prone to remember our problems while forgetting God's faithfulness.
Then David begins to list just a few of God's blessings:
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He forgives all our sins.
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He heals our diseases.
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He redeems our lives from destruction.
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He crowns us with love and tender mercies.
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He fills our lives with good things and renews our strength.
What a list! And for each one David mentions, we could each add dozens more. God's answered prayers. His daily provision. His protection in unseen ways. His comfort in sorrow. His peace in the middle of life's storms. The family He's given us. The church He's placed us in. Above all, the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, and the promise of eternal life.
Today, before you rush into the next task or dwell on the next concern, pause for just a few moments. Make your own list of "the good things" God has done for you. Gratitude has a way of lifting our eyes from our circumstances to our Savior.
As we remember His goodness, our hearts are strengthened, our faith is renewed, and praise begins to rise naturally from within us.
May we never forget His benefits. Looking forward to seeing you this Sunday at Anchor!
Gripped by Grace!
Pastor Mark
Anchor Church
“Oh, brethren, be great believers! Little faith will bring your souls to heaven, but great faith will bring heaven to your souls!” — Charles Spurgeon
One of the greatest tragedies in the Christian life is not a lack of salvation, but a lack of expectation. Many believers trust Christ enough to get them to heaven someday, but struggle to trust Him for today. They believe God forgives sins, yet doubt His power to provide, guide, strengthen, or intervene in the challenges they face.
Spurgeon reminds us that while even a small faith in Christ saves, a growing faith transforms. Little faith clings to God in emergencies. Great faith walks with Him every day. Little faith sees obstacles; great faith sees a God who is greater than every obstacle.
The Bible tells us that Abraham “never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger” (Romans 4:20, NLT). Notice that faith is not static. It can grow. As Abraham fixed his eyes on God's character rather than his circumstances, his confidence increased.
What would happen if we became great believers? We would pray with greater expectancy. We would worry less and trust more. We would step out in obedience even when the path ahead is unclear. We would experience more of God's peace, joy, and power in our daily lives. In Spurgeon’s words, we would begin to experience “heaven” in our souls—not because life is easy, but because Christ is near.
Anchor Church, let's ask the Lord to enlarge our faith. The same God who saved us is the God who sustains us. The same Savior who promised heaven is present with us today. Don't settle for merely believing enough to get to heaven. Trust Him so fully that His presence, peace, and power fill your heart right now.
Prayer:
Lord, forgive me for the times I have trusted You for eternity but doubted You in the present. Strengthen my faith. Help me to look beyond my circumstances and fix my eyes on Your greatness. Fill my heart with the reality of Your presence and teach me to walk as a great believer. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Gripped by Grace!
Pastor Mark
Anchor Church
Grace for Today: The size of your problems does not determine your peace—the greatness of your God does. Trust Him fully today.
Fully Committed
“The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” — 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NLT)
King Asa knew what it was like to experience the power of God. Earlier in his reign, a massive Ethiopian army marched against Judah. Faced with impossible odds, Asa cried out to the Lord, confessing that only God could save them. God answered with a miraculous victory and proved Himself faithful.
But later in life, Asa faced another threat and made a different choice. Instead of seeking the Lord, he relied on a political alliance with a foreign king. He trusted human resources rather than God’s power. In response, God sent the prophet Hanani with a loving but firm rebuke.
At the center of that rebuke is one of the most encouraging promises in all of Scripture:
“The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
What a remarkable thought! God is actively looking throughout the earth for men and women whose hearts belong completely to Him. He isn’t searching for the most talented, the most educated, or the most successful. He is searching for those who trust Him completely.
Notice what God promises to do: He promises to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. God never intended us to live the Christian life in our own strength. He delights in pouring out His power on those who depend upon Him.
The tragedy of Asa’s story is not that he faced difficulties. We all face difficulties. The tragedy is that he stopped trusting the God who had faithfully delivered him before. He looked to human solutions instead of God’s sufficiency.
How easy it is for us to do the same. We trust God when there is no other option, but when earthly solutions seem available, we are tempted to lean on our own wisdom, our finances, our abilities, or our connections.
Yet God’s invitation remains the same today: Be fully committed to Me.
A fully committed heart seeks God’s direction before making decisions. A fully committed heart rests in God’s promises rather than human solutions. A fully committed heart believes that God’s strength is greater than any challenge it faces.
Today, God’s eyes are still searching the earth. He is looking for people who will trust Him wholeheartedly. May He find in us hearts that are fully committed to Him, so that He can display His strength through our lives for His glory.
Prayer
Father, forgive me for the times I have trusted in my own understanding instead of trusting You. Thank You for Your faithfulness and for the many ways You have proven Yourself strong in my life. Help me to surrender every area of my heart to You. Make me fully committed to Your will, Your ways, and Your purposes. Strengthen me by Your power as I learn to trust You more completely. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Today’s Challenge
Ask yourself: Is there an area of my life where I am relying more on my own resources than on God’s power? Bring that area before the Lord today and recommit it to Him. Trust Him to do what only He can do.
And remember, no matter what we remain…
Gripped by Grace!
Pastor Mark
Anchor Church
I have been thinking this week about these powerful words from Isaiah:
"The High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.'" (Isaiah 57:15, NKJV)
What an amazing truth! The God who created the universe, who reigns over heaven and earth, who dwells in unapproachable holiness, has chosen to draw near to humble, needy people like us.
Notice what God says His desire is: to revive and refresh His people.
Many of us know what it feels like to become weary. Life can drain us. Trials can discourage us. Disappointments can steal our joy. The pressures of work, family, health concerns, and the constant noise of our culture can leave our souls exhausted.
But God is not looking for people who have it all together. He is looking for people who know they need Him.
Revival does not begin with strength—it begins with surrender. It begins when God's people humble themselves, seek His face, confess their need, and open their hearts to His presence.
The Lord delights in breathing fresh life into tired hearts. He delights in restoring hope to the discouraged, strength to the weary, and joy to the brokenhearted.
As we gather together this week, come expecting God to meet with us. Come hungry for His Word. Come ready to worship. Come prepared to pray. Come believing that the Lord still revives His people.
Our community does not need another religious gathering. The Rogue Valley needs men and women who have been refreshed by the presence of God and filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.
Let's seek Him together.
"Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength." (Isaiah 40:31)
I love you all and thank God for each of you. Let's press into the Lord and trust Him to do what only He can do—revive our hearts and renew our spirits.
In Christ,
Pastor Mark
Anchor Church
Isaiah 26:3-4 says:
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.”
What a needed word for the days we are living in.
Our world is filled with noise, fear, anger, distractions, and endless bad news. If we fix our thoughts on politics, finances, the future, or even our own struggles, we will quickly become anxious and discouraged. But God promises something remarkable to those who “stay” their minds on Him — perfect peace.
That phrase “stayed on You” speaks of leaning fully upon the Lord, fixing our thoughts intentionally on Jesus, and refusing to let our minds be consumed by lesser things. Peace is not found in pretending life is easy. Peace is found in the presence of Jesus.
Church family, let’s be people who continually turn our minds back to Christ:
• Think about His goodness.
• Think about His promises.
• Think about His cross and resurrection.
• Think about His faithfulness in your past.
• Think about His coming kingdom.
The battle is often won or lost in the mind. The enemy would love to keep us fearful, distracted, offended, or spiritually sleepy. But the Holy Spirit continually points us back to Jesus.
As a church, let’s make it our aim to “fix our thoughts” on Him daily through worship, prayer, fellowship, and the study of His Word. The Rogue Valley does not need another distracted church. It needs a people anchored in Christ, filled with His peace, and overflowing with His presence.
Keep showing up. Keep seeking the Lord. Keep opening your Bible. Keep praying. Keep loving one another. And above all, keep your eyes on Jesus.
He is still faithful.
He is still reigning.
He is still our everlasting strength.
Love you all very much,
Pastor Mark
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