Living By Faith

HEAVEN ON EARTH

But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord. (Numbers 14:21)

Jesus came to restore the glory that God intended for us to have!

Mark Hankins

We are living in days of great glory when the glory and the goodness of God break into our lives on a scale that is unprecedented. This is the time of the restoration of glory in the church around the world!

In Deuteronomy 11:21, the phrase, “as the days of heaven upon the earth” is used to describe the special time of blessing the children of God would enjoy in the Promised Land. God gave them instructions on how to act to possess the land. He used the word “possess” seven times in this chapter. Over and over He told them they must possess this land of promise.

We know that God is a faith God and He is pleased by faith. I like to say, “Faith cranks God’s tractor.” For us to enter into all that He has provided for us, we must believe God. We must maintain a spirit of faith to go forward in this time. According to Philippians 3:12-14, we press forward and never look back. Smith Wigglesworth said, “Never look back if you want the power of God in your life.”

Confession: I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14)

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GIVING ACCESSES THE GLORY

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

Your giving will tap into God’s riches in glory.

Mark Hankins

Paul said to the Philippian believers, “Because you gave, and gave again, I have all and abound.”  Their giving tapped into God’s riches in glory.

Some of God’s paydays are better than money! You can see the same principle with Cornelius in Acts 10. He was a devout man that feared God. He gave “much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.” (Acts 10:2)  His prayers and his giving came up as a memorial before God and the glory of God came to his family. Cornelius and his whole house were filled with the Holy Spirit.  

We are living in days of great glory when the glory and the goodness of God break into our lives on a scale that is unprecedented. Whenever we say, “Glory!” we are including all of the goodness of God. One commentary defined the glory as including wealth, numbers, commerce, power, wisdom, promotion, superiority, dignity, authority, nobility, splendor, valor, magnificence, extraordinary privileges, and advantages. Jesus came to restore the glory that God intended for us to have!

Confession: My giving taps into God’s riches in glory! Praise God! His paydays are better than money!

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FAITH UNDER TRIAL

Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, when ever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.

(James 1:2  AMP)

God is interested in your character and your whole person, not just your immediate comfort.

Mark Hankins

I was watching a documentary on how people make pottery. Pottery is baked in extreme heat to make it durable and hard, so it is usable. I thought it was interesting that they know a pot is done by the sound it makes. Many times trouble will hit you and get you into serious oven situations. If you stay silent while in the oven, then you are going to be in the oven a long time. But if you will just go ahead and shout for joy, you will make it through!

God wants you to hold steady and stop squirming out of your problems and difficulties prematurely. The natural human tendency is to try to find a way to get out from under the pressure. You have to realize that your faith is on trial, and the devil is trying to knock that faith right out of you. Mix patience with your faith and it will take you through the pressure. Let God build character in you and make you strong enough to receive blessings that you may not have been able to receive before.

Confession:I refuse to give up! I am going to allow my faith to be on trial, and I will not lose!

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JOY NEUTRALIZES PRESSURE

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God.

 (Acts16:25)

If you allow pressure to push you out of position, you’ll miss your miracle.

Mark Hankins

The Apostle Paul had the Jews, the Gentiles, and the Romans putting pressure on him. During one of the most difficult hours of his life, he began singing praises to God.

The devil can put pressure on you and get you into a corner, but as long as he can’t shut your mouth, you can overcome. Oral Roberts said,“Everyday there’s a miracle coming to you or passing you by.”  That means if you allow pressure to push you out of your position, you’ll miss your miracle.

When you start counting it all joy, it neutralizes the pressure. That is a challenge, but rejoicing is a choice you make that will strengthen you so that your faith and patience will hold you steady. “Is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow and don’t try to squirm out of your problems.” (James 1:2-4 TLB)

Confession:When my patience is in full bloom, I will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete. (James 1:4  TLB)

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MAXIMUM JOY

Consider it maximum joy, my brothers, when you get involved in all sorts of trials. (James 1:2  Berkeley)

The reason the devil is putting pressure on you is because God’s got a blessing for you!

Mark Hankins

I played on the championship football team in high school. We were undefeated, so we always went out fully expecting to win. One day the coach told me, “Now Hankins,” as he grabbed me by my shoulder pads, “you might be able to go around the tackle, but by the time you go around him, what you’re looking for already went by.”

Then he said, “The only way you can play defense is not to avoid the pressure the tackle is putting on you. You can’t go around him–if you do, you will miss what you’re after. You’ve got to fight through the pressure.”

The reason the devil is putting pressure on you is because God’s got a blessing coming for you! So when pressure comes from every side, face it and get happy right in the middle of it! The devil is saying, “Hey, give up and just go around.” You say, “No. I am not going around. I am going through this tackle!”

Confession: The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet ,and he will make me walk upon my high places. (Habakkuk 3:19)

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