Living By Faith

STRENGTH FOR THE BATTLE

But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things.
(John 16:7 AMP)

“The function of the Holy Spirit is to fill a man with a spirit of power and courage which would make him able triumphantly to cope with life.” – William Barclay

The word Parakalein was used in classic Greek to describe the verb form of Parakletos. The Holy Spirit helps us to translate the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ into our personal victory. The Holy Spirit is not just consolation or sympathy in sorrow or distress; He does much more than that.

The Holy Spirit is our Advocate. He is the Counselor for the defense. He is called in to speak in support of His character in order to enlist the favor of the Judge. The Advocate will present someone else’s case in the most favorable light.

Confession: The Holy Spirit fills me with a spirit of power and courage. Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:14)

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THE HOPE OF MANKIND

For the love of Christ constraineth us, because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead. (2 Corinthians 5:14)

When you see what God has done for you in Christ, the reality of redemption will swallow up your old identity.
Mark Hankins

How could Jesus Christ, one man, die on the cross and His death be for every man? It is simply a law of identification. We were all identified with one man, Adam, and affected by him. God simply took the same law that allowed one man to mess up everyone, and allowed one man, Jesus Christ, to die for everyone.

There is no hope for man outside of the blood of Jesus and His death, burial, and resurrection. A person has to be born again if he is going to get out of Adam. This changes your identity. No longer can you identify with defeat because you are identified with the triumph of Christ. No longer can you identify with failure, sickness, and bondage because you are identified with Christ. His victory is your victory! His life is your life! His blessing is your blessing! Everything that God put in Him now comes into you. You were identified with Adam before, but you are not in Adam now – you are in Christ!

Confession: I am born again! The blood of Jesus and the power of the Gospel has changed my life! I identify with the triumph and blessing of Christ!

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REPETITION: THE WATERING PROCESS

I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
(1 Corinthians 3:6)

Revelation comes by repetition.
Mark Hankins

Repetition is the watering process of the Word. We know that Paul and Apollos preached and taught the same Gospel. Paul said, “I planted and Apollos watered.” The planting would be the first time you heard the Word and received the seed of the Word. Apollos watered — he taught the same thing that Paul did over and over again.

Increase comes from the spirit of wisdom and revelation. However, the spirit of wisdom will not operate without repetition. Increase in faith, increase in fruitful- ness, and increase in blessing come from increase in revelation. Sometimes people reject the watering process because they think, “I already know that, so I am not going to pay attention. I’m not going to listen.” When people reject the watering process, there is no increase.

The Word of God is designed for increase — thirty, sixty, and a hundred fold! Where the Word is planted and watered appropriately, there is supernatural increase!

Confession: Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6 NKJV)

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ACCESS WITH CONFIDENCE

In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him. (Ephesians 3:12)

To access all that God has done for us in Christ will take the spirit of wisdom and revelation. Mark Hankins

We can approach the Father God boldly because of what Jesus did for us in His death, burial, and resurrection. God has already done everything He is going to do for us in Christ. Our redemption is a finished, complete work.

We have been permanently released and delivered from the power of the devil by the blood of Jesus. We need this redemptive revelation so we can walk in the fullness of all that God has called us to in His kingdom.

Jesus Christ Himself gave the Apostle Paul this redemptive revelation.“For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1:12) This redemptive revelation is the key for believers. If we are to access the call of God, the inheritance that is ours in Christ, and the authority of the believer, we must have a redemptive revelation of God!

Confession: I can approach the Father God boldly because of what Jesus did for me in His death, burial, and resurrection. I can come fearlessly right into God’s presence, assured of His glad welcome! (Ephesians 3:12 TLB)

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A NEW DAY OF BOLDNESS

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus. (Hebrews 10:19)

Jesus purchased our “freedom of speech” with His own blood.
Mark Hankins

Some translations of Hebrews 10:19 translate the word “boldness” as “freedom of speech or outspoken.” Jesus purchased our freedom of speech with His own blood. As a believer, we must be bold or outspoken. The devil does not care what you believe if you are quiet about it. Speak out what God’s Word says about the blood of Jesus. Speak out who you are and what you have in Christ.

Once upon a time Jesus purchased our freedom with His own blood, once for all time and eternity! Jesus paid the price once for every situation, once for all men! Boldly speak out, “Once upon a time!”

The blood of Jesus has given us great boldness and confidence. When we understand who we are and what we have in Christ, we usher in a new day of boldness in our lives! Remember these two words: once and bold. Instead of being a victim of our experiences, our experiences are a victim of us!

Confession: I have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL! I can therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace and obtain mercy, and find grace to help me in my time of need. (Hebrews 10:10; 4:16)

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