Living By Faith

YOU ARE ONE STEP AWAY FROM A MIRACLE

For with God, nothing shall be impossible. (Luke 1:37)

You can never achieve the impossible if you never attempt the impossible. Mark Hankins

Some time ago, I was watching a nationally televised NCAA football game. The team was ranked in the top ten in the country, and the quarterback was one of the best in college football. The quarterback came up to the line, began to yell out the numbers, and bent over to receive the snap of the ball before realizing that he was behind the guard instead of the center. In the middle of calling the play, he took one step over right behind the center, and hollered, “Hut, hut, hut.” The ball was hiked to him, and the play was run successfully.

The Lord spoke to me using this illustration and said, “Some people need to make a small adjustment if they are going to receive from Me. Some people are only one step away from a miracle!” It isn’t difficult, but it requires humbling yourself and moving into closer agreement with God’s ways, power, and plan. Sometimes, it just takes one small step over to receive from God.

Confession: The spirit of faith will position me to possess God’s best blessings. “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” (Mark 9:23)

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FEAR NOT, ONLY BELIEVE

As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. (Mark 5:36)

I choose to fear not, only believe. Believing is a choice. Mark Hankins

The Bible tells us in Luke 21:26 that in the last days, people’s hearts will fail them because of fear. According to 2 Timothy 1:7, God did not give us a spirit of fear. If God did not give us a spirit of fear, where did it come from? Fear comes from the devil. God is a faith God.  When you have a spirit of faith, you do not have a spirit of fear.

Fear has several relatives and companions: doubt, anxiety, stress, and worry. Every one of these negative emotions stems from fear. It is impossible to have a spirit of faith and a spirit of fear at the same time.

In Mark 5, Jairus could have believed the bad report, gotten in fear, and given up on his miracle. But Jesus said, “Fear not, only believe!”  There will be a fight to keep your faith strong in the worst of your circumstances. When you choose to believe God, all things are possible!

Confession: I choose to believe God. I am not anxious or worried because the peace of God guards my heart and mind in Christ Jesus! (Philippians 4:6-7)

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CHOOSE FAITH OR FEAR

If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. (Mark 9:23)

When the devil says that it is all over, Jesus says that it is not all over; it has just been delayed a little while. Mark Hankins

There will be a moment when you must choose to either believe God or be full of fear. We read about a moment like that in Jairus’ life in Mark 5:35. Jairus was told his daughter was dead. Jesus grabbed Jairus right in the middle of his crisis and gave him a word: “Fear not, only believe.” (Mark 5:36) Jesus will give you a word right in the middle of your crisis, too. He knows what others are telling you. He knows the doubts that are flooding your mind. Jesus hears and says, “I’d like to interrupt the fear and doubt and give you a word from heaven: Fear not, only believe.”

God can take care of you. He can work in your life and undo everything the devil has done. He is able to raise the dead, heal the sick, cast out devils, and turn your whole life around. When He speaks, faith comes. When faith comes, fear goes!

Confession: I choose to speak words of faith and not fear. Jesus said that all things are possible to him who believes. If God is for me, who can be against me? (Romans 8:31)

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BELIEVE IT AND SAY IT

Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God that it shall be even as it was told me. (Acts 27:25)

The spirit of faith believes and speaks!   Mark Hankins

The spirit of faith works by believing and speaking. The spirit of faith requires your “speaker” to be hooked up to your “believer.” In other words, for faith to work properly, it must be in your heart and your mouth. (Romans 10:8-10; Mark 11:23)

The word spoken to you must be spoken through you. The Apostle Paul illustrated this in the middle of a life-threatening storm at sea. One person with the spirit of faith can change the destiny of many others. Paul said, “It shall be even as it was told me.”

The spirit of faith does not guarantee that you won’t have any storms in life.  However, the spirit of faith is what enables you to face the storms and overcome.

God’s Word is the foundation for our faith. What does the Word say? What has God spoken to you? Believe it and say it. The Word of God will take you through the storms of life and enable you to finish your course.

Confession: I will be of good cheer, “for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.” (Acts 27:25) I will believe God through every storm. I believe and speak the Word of God. I will finish my course (2 Timothy 4:7)

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BELIEVE AND SPEAK

Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4)

Jesus said to me, “My words in your mouth are just as powerful as My words in My mouth.” Reinhard Bonnke

The Word of God was spoken out of the mouth of God before it was written. God spoke it, men spoke it, and finally men penned it. It was spoken before it was written, and it was written so it might be spoken. II Timothy 3:16-17 says, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. When the Word says, given by inspiration of God, it literally means, God-breathed.

The Word of God in your mouth is tantamount to receiving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation from God! The spoken Word gives the life of God to everyone who has the spirit of faith. The spirit of faith believes, speaks, and acts on the Word of God.

Confession: I will believe and speak the Word of God. For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

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