Living By Faith

BELIEVE IS A VERB

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. (James 2:17)

Reasoning will not change an emotion, but action will!
Mark Hankins

I recently watched a man on television who said that he had written the first novel that had no verbs in it. He said it was full of nouns, adjectives, pronouns, and prepositions, but no verbs. They asked him how well the book was selling and he said, “not very well.” When asked why, he said, “Because it has no action.”

James 2:26 says, “For as the body without the spirit is dead so faith without works is dead also.” The Amplified Version says, “For as the human body apart from the spirit is lifeless, so faith apart from (its) works of obedience is also dead.”

The word, believe is a verb and verbs always denote action. Faith, on the other hand, is a noun. However, effective faith (faith that gets results) must be translated into action.

Confession: I am a doer of the Word of God, not just a hearer only (James 1:22). My faith is in action! So also faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power [inoperative, dead]. (James 2:17 AMP)

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GENETIC CONNECTION

Lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities…
Behold your God! (Isaiah 40:9)

When you speak, there is an identical voice of faith.
It sounds like the voice of God.
Mark Hankins

A number of years ago I called my brother’s church. The secretary mistook my voice for his voice because we’re brothers and there is a genetic similarity. She immediately said, “Pastor Mike.” When she said that, I thought I would take advantage of the situation and said, “You know, I really love my brother Mark a lot and would like to express my appreciation to him in a more tangible way. I want you to send my brother Mark a check for $10,000.” The secretary got real quiet on the other end of the phone because she thought I was Mike. Then I said, “I’m just kidding, this is Mark.”

I realized my voice, because of the genetic connection, gave me access to his checking account. That’s why God says, “Lift up your voice and speak.” There is a genetic connection between you and Jesus Christ. There is authority, healing, deliverance, victory, and blessing in your voice.

Confession: I lift up my voice in faith and victory! Mountains have to move! I have authority, healing, deliverance, victory, and blessing in my voice!

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PREPARE FOR GLORY: LIFT YOUR VOICE

Then the Lord put forth his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. (Jeremiah 1:9)

The spoken word builds the road for the glory to come.
Mark Hankins

In Mark 11:23, Jesus said, “Whosoever shall say…he shall have whatsoever he saith.” Anytime God wants to change someone’s life, He always touches his or her mouth. He changes families, churches, cities, and nations the same way.

The move of God is voice activated. We must speak the Word of God. Your voice is your address in the realm of the spirit.

Today, God is touching your mouth. God wants you to lift your voice as a believer; as you do, you will move mountains and prepare for the glory of the Lord. We must exercise our faith to prepare for the glory of God.

Confession: 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)

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BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18)

If you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then you are filled with God.
Mark Hankins

When Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit, He said that He is not just coming to visit, but He is going to move in and dwell in you permanently. That means the Holy Spirit is not just coming to visit, He is moving in. He is going to have a change of address. If you are just going to visit someone, you only bring some of your stuff. However, if you are moving in, you bring ALL of your stuff!

The Holy Spirit takes things that belong to the Father and Jesus, and transmits them to you. If you are filled with the Holy Spirit then you are filled with God. The Holy Spirit will expand you to make room for all He has for you.

When the Holy Spirit moves in, He is glad to be there. However, He needs room to bring all of His stuff. He can’t get His stuff in until you get some of your stuff out. We are commanded to be filled with the Spirit.

Confession: I am filled with the Holy Spirit; therefore, I am filled with God. I am making room for the Holy Spirit to move into my life and bring all of His stuff!

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WIN THE CASE

Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 14:17)

When you are filled with the Spirit, then you will know the voice of God. – Smith Wigglesworth

P.C. Nelson wrote the book of fundamental Bible Doctrines for the Assemblies of God denomination. He was a Greek and Hebrew scholar, fluent in 32 different languages. He described the Comforter with the Greek word Parakletos. He is our Advocate, Counselor, and Intercessor. When the Holy Spirit is working on our case, we have a tremendous advantage. He has a reputation for winning cases!

The “Advocate/Counselor” is called in for His exceptional knowledge, expertise in protocol, procedure, and persuasive speaking ability. I’m glad we have the Holy Spirit helping us today!

Confession: The Spirit of truth dwells in me. He is my Advocate, Counselor, and Intercessor. He strengthens me with mighty power, fills me with the fullness of God, and opens the supernatural for exceeding abundant blessing! (Ephesians 3:14-21)

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