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FAITH AIN’T PRETTY

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart. (Jeremiah 15:16)

Hello, neighbor! Faith ain’t pretty, but everyone needs faith! Mark Hankins

A local tire store advertises in the newspaper and on television with this ad: “Hello, neighbor! Tires ain’t pretty, but everyone needs tires, so you might as well get them from us at the best price.” That TV ad caught my attention. Sometime later I was in a radical church service where people were laughing, rejoicing, shouting, and praising God. Some were even leaping for joy, running, and dancing! During all of this, the Lord spoke to me in this way: “Hello, neighbor! Faith ain’t pretty, but everyone needs faith! So get your faith from God and learn how to release your faith and respond to the Word and to the power of God.” Sometimes you have to get “ugly” for Jesus. You must act like the Bible is true if you want the anointing and the power of God! Rejoice in the face of adversity! The spirit of faith will cause you to see the victorious end of the challenge you are facing!

Confession: I rejoice in the face of adversity! I am not ashamed to get “ugly” for Jesus! I rejoice at thy word as one that findeth great spoil! (Psalm 119:162)

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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)

Instead of being a victim of our experiences, our experiences are a victim of us. Mark Hankins

The word boldness is an important word in the book of Hebrews. The blood of Jesus has given us great boldness and confidence.

“Let us therefore come BOLDLY unto the throne of grace.” (Hebrews 4:16)
“That we may BOLDLY say, ‘The Lord is my helper.’” (Hebrews 13:6)

Some other translations of Hebrews 10:19 translate boldness as freedom of speech or outspoken. As believers, we need to exercise our freedom of speech and be outspoken about the blood of Jesus and who we are in Christ. Instead of being a victim of our experiences, our experiences are a victim of us!

Confession: I have boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus. I can come boldly unto the throne of grace and I can boldly say the Lord is my helper! I am not a victim of my experiences. My experiences are a victim of me because the blood of Jesus has given me great boldness and confidence!

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THE STORY OF THE BLOOD

So Christ was ONCE offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
(Hebrews 9:28)

As believers, we can take the Word of God and tell the devil a bedtime story! Mark Hankins

Whenever you face any challenge, remember this story and tell it again: “Once Upon a Time!” As believers, we can take the Word of God and tell the devil a bedtime story. Say, “Devil, ONCE upon a time Jesus defeated you for all eternity.” Speak the Word of God with boldness and rock the devil to sleep!

“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE for all…For by ONE offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:10,14) By looking at these scriptures we see that Jesus cancelled and abolished sin ONCE for all time and for all men. The Holy Spirit continues to emphasize the word “ONCE.” We must know this story well. It is the story of Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, Heaven, and Earth. This story is well known by angels and demons. The story of the blood of Jesus is an established fact throughout eternity!

Confession: I am sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ! By one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:10,14)

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STAND IN YOUR FAITH

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

The devil cannot destroy you anytime he wants — he needs your cooperation.
Mark Hankins

Many times people self-destruct. I do not believe the devil can kill you anytime he wants. If so, you would already be dead because he does not like you, and he would like to destroy you. 1 Peter 5:8 says the devil goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. That means he cannot devour everyone. The next verse says, “Whom resist steadfast in the faith.” Another translation says, “Stand rock-like, immovable in your faith.”

Stand in your faith in what God has done for you in Christ, in who you are, and in what you have in Christ. You resist the devil. The devil cannot destroy you anytime he wants — he needs your cooperation.

You have to get up each morning acknowledging every good thing that is in you in Christ! Resist the devil! Stand strong in your faith by recognizing who you are in Christ!

Confession: In Him I am strong! In Him I am blessed! In Him I have boldness and access to the presence of God!

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REDEMPTION REALITY

For as many as were the promises of God in Christ is the yes that fulfills them; therefore through Christ again let the Amen rise through us to the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 1:20 Twentieth Century)

It is up to you to say, “Amen!”
Mark Hankins

When we talk about your redemption and who you are in Christ, we are not talking about some figment of your imagination or some religious thing. We are talking about an absolute reality of redemption and righteousness. We are talking about living in the reality that you are redeemed, righteous, victorious, and blessed. You need to live in the reality that old things are passed away, everything has become new, and now you are a new creation.

Jesus is the “Amen.” He brought the reality of redemption into the realm of human experience and into your life. The Twentieth Century version of 2 Corinthians 1:20 says, “…so let the Amen rise through us to the glory of God.” You need to respond to Him by saying, “Amen, so be it.”

Confession: I am in Christ, and I boldly declare and acknowledge right now the good things that are in me in Christ. I am who God says I am today! Yes, affirmative, so be it; it is so, Amen!

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