Living By Faith

FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:26)

Faith will not move anything until it moves you. The first part of you that your faith will move is your mouth!
Mark Hankins

In my psychology class, we learned that reasoning will not change an emotion, but action will. In other words, you can’t feel your way into better behavior, but you can behave your way into better feelings. God created us so that actions are stronger than feelings. Faith is an act. By faith we access the grace of God. Just a little bit of faith can access a whole lot of grace.

God has already done everything He is going to do about our salvation, our healing, our deliverance, and our blessing. Jesus paid it all and then sat down. Now it is our move — we have to know what He’s done for us and act in faith on the Word of God.

Many churches are full of nouns, adjectives, pronouns, and prepositions but God is looking for verbs. He is looking for people who will believe and will act in faith.

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

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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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A NEW DAY OF BOLDNESS

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

The blood of Jesus has given us great boldness and confidence.
Mark Hankins

Another word that stood out to me in Hebrews was the word, “boldness.” 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.” The blood of Jesus has given us great boldness and confidence. 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.

Now we as believers can take the Word of God and speak with great boldness and confidence! When Satan comes against you, just bring up the story of the blood of Jesus.

Confession: The Lord is my Helper. I can come boldly unto the throne of grace. I am sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:10, 14)

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GOD’S DAREDEVILS

The people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. (Daniel 11:32 NKJV)

“Exploits” are defined as, “Deeds marked by daring and excellence.” Mark Hankins

When I was about 10 years old, we played neighborhood football in my backyard.  Usually as the game progressed and the smaller boys were losing, the bigger boys would announce loudly, “We’re going to run right up the middle.” And they did!  Sometimes they ran over me!

Their challenge reminds me of David, who announced to Goliath, “This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand… that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.” (I Samuel 17:46)  No devil, no man, and no circumstances can stop God’s divine plan for this generation. As God has declared it, we must prophesy and proclaim His power in the Earth.

He is Almighty God! He is a Mighty Warrior! As we hear and know His voice, new confidence and strength comes to us. We will arise with new boldness and declare His dare. It is time for a new generation of men and women to rise up and do great exploits!

Confession:I am rising with new confidence, boldness, and strength. With God all things are possible! All things are possible to him that believeth!(Matthew 19:26, Mark 9:23)

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SEE YOU AT THE TOP

This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face. (Psalm 24:6NKJV)

There are some blessings you cannot receive from God at sea level! Mark Hankins

I recently viewed a documentary about Mount Everest and those who have climbed it. Climbing a mountain is a gradual process that takes climbers from lower camps to higher camps as they make the ascent. During this process, their red blood cells actually double in number in order to carry enough oxygen to keep them alive. This kind of mountain climbing must be in your blood in order for you to survive!

In Psalm 24, God gives a challenge to those who want to move up higher in their fellowship with Him. After He gives the condition of clean hands and a pure heart, God promises that they will “receiving the blessing from the Lord.”

Climbing the Mountain of the Lord is a much higher calling than climbing Mount Everest. It is a place where satisfaction, fulfillment, and blessings flow. It is time for us to move up higher in the glory of God!

Confession: I am a part of the generation that seeks the face of God. I am climbing the Mountain of the Lord where there is satisfaction, fulfillment, and blessing!

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