Living By Faith

THE ATTITUDE OF FAITH

We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak.   (2 Corinthians 4:13)

The last of all human freedoms is the ability to choose one’s own attitude regardless of circumstances. Viktor Frankl

I once read a book about a man named Viktor Frankl. Viktor was a Jew in a Nazi concentration camp in Word War II. He was constantly badgered harassed, beaten, and made to carry burdens. Viktor said that he could look into people’s eyes and see when they were ready to give up and die.

Viktor Frankl determined that there was one thing the Nazis could not control in his life; they could not control his attitude. He said, “The last of all human freedoms is the ability to choose one’s own attitude regardless of circumstances.”  In other words, he couldn’t control everything, but he could control himself and his attitude.

You may not be able to control what has happened to you in life, but you can control your attitude. God will get you to your destination if you maintain a spirit of faith.

Confession: I have an attitude of faith. I will not allow hopelessness to dominate my life. I believed, and therefore have I spoken. (2 Corinthians 4:13)

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THE LANGUAGE OF FAITH

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. (Mark 11:23)

Many people would like to see different scenery in their lives. God says to make a different sound first. Mark Hankins

God wants us to learn the language of faith. Language includes understanding and speaking. God communicates to us through His Word. He wants us to see the same thing He sees and say the same thing He says. The spirit of wisdom and revelation and the spirit of faith work together for the will of God to be accomplished in us and through us.

In other words, it does not matter what the devil has done in your life. Through the cross of Jesus Christ, there is another language God wants to teach you — the language of redemption, restoration, and freedom. If you can dare to speak this new language, He will restore your dominion.

Confession: Christ has redeemed me from the curse of the law. I know I have eternal life. I am a child of God because of what Jesus has done. I have joy. I know the hope of His calling. I know I have an inheritance in Christ. Jesus has given me authority over the devil!

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PURSUING YOUR POSITION IN CHRIST

For He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

A breakthrough in revelation enables us to see what God sees. Mark Hankins

Once you have seen the scenery from your seat next to Jesus at the right hand of God, you won’t ever want to go back to life as it used to be. Other people may listen to a sermon on their identity in Christ and say, “Praise the Lord.  That was a good point,” but you will be thinking, “That wasn’t just a good point, that’s the way I live! I am who Jesus says I am! I have what He says I have! He lives in me, and I ALWAYS triumph in Him!”

Believers must have a deep revelation of their position in Christ. Even in the worst situations in life, you can laugh at the devil. Your mind may be going crazy with stress and pressure as you try to think about what you are going to do. You need to stop and begin to meditate on what God’s Word says about who you are in Christ. You need to see things from God’s perspective. God sees you seated with Christ in heavenly places.

Confession: I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus! By the blood of Jesus, I overcome all the works of the devil! (2 Corinthians 5:21, Revelation 12:11)

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THE SOUND OF FAITH

That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. (Philemon 6)

We have many “wounded rabbits” in the church who need to change their sound. Mark Hankins

Several years ago, I went hunting for coyote in Arizona with a friend who was an avid hunter. We got up early in the morning, while it was still dark, and put on camouflage outfits — pants, shirt, hat, and boots. We went out on a mountainside and sat on the ground under a big bush, with camouflage netting wrapped around us. My friend began to call the coyotes with a little wooden call that made a loud, squealing noise that mimicked the sound of a wounded rabbit. When the coyotes heard the squeal of the hurt rabbit, they would come for what they thought was a nice meal.

We have many wounded rabbits in the church calling up the coyotes of failure.  Their wounded rabbit call attracts the devil, and he comes to devour them for lunch! By changing your sound to a bold declaration of who you are in Christ Jesus, you will begin to attract the blessings of God in a greater measure.

Confession: I am who God says I am. I have what God says I have. I can do what God says I can do. I boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. (Hebrews 13:6)

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FORGIVENESS IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. (Ephesians 4:26-27)

I realize that God can never bless us on the lines of being hardhearted, critical, or unforgiving. Smith Wigglesworth

Ephesians 4:26 says you shouldn’t let the sun go down on your wrath. One translation says, “Don’t let the sun go down finding you nursing a grudge.”  This is where the devil has his greatest opportunity to hinder your faith from working.  Ephesians 4:27 continues, “Neither give place to the devil.”

If the devil has any place in your life, you gave it to him. You might have given it to him through negligence or disobedience. Negligence means you refused to exercise your authority as a believer. Disobedience means you knew what the Word said yet you refused to do it.

Choose blessing; choose forgiveness. God wants you to live a life of peace.  Refuse to give the devil any opportunity to rob you of your faith!

Confession: Forgiveness is my responsibility. I refuse to give any place to the devil! (Ephesians 4:27) I choose to exercise my authority as a believer and obey God’s Word!

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