Living By Faith

LIVE BY FAITH

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

You are justified by faith in what Christ has done, not in how you feel.
Mark Hankins

What does it mean to have been cleansed from all unrighteousness? It means you have been made righteous again. It has nothing to do with what you feel. You may say, “I still do not feel righteous.” It has nothing to do with your feelings. You are justified by faith in what Christ has done, not by how you feel. Do you feel saved when you get up in the morning? Most people don’t get up and say, “I feel saved.” Most people don’t get up and say, “I feel righteous today. I really feel redeemed. I feel victorious.” It has nothing to do with feelings.

Romans 1:17 tells us, “The just shall live by faith.” Righteousness is a part of your faith walk when you acknowledge everything that is in you in Christ. Get up in the morning and say, “I have been made righteous today.” When the devil comes against your mind, he brings a picture of failure or weakness. Will the devil bring you a picture? Yes, but you tell him, “That is all right devil. I know you have a picture, but that does not exist anymore.”

Confession: I have been made righteous by the blood of Jesus. I am the righteousness of God in Christ. I have been forgiven, and I am redeemed by faith.

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PATIENCE IN CHRIST

Through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6:12)

You can outlast the devil! Mark Hankins

God is patient — He has the time and space for things to happen. The devil is not only stupid but also impatient. The devil will hang around and try to whip you. Eventually, he will get impatient and say, “I guess this is not going to work,” and take off! You can outlast the devil!

Some time ago when I visited someone in the hospital, I needed to ride the elevator. I pushed the button and the light came on, but nothing seemed to happen. I waited and waited for the doors to open. Finally, I punched the button again even though the light was still on. I thought, “I guess I don’t need to punch it again. The light is on. It is on the way.” I could have been impatient and taken the stairs if I wanted, but I held steady.

When you exercise your faith, you have punched the button and the light is on. The devil will say, “It’s not going to come. It will never happen.” Keep the switch of faith turned on. Keep that light on! The elevator is on the way!

Confession: Through faith and patience I am inheriting the promises. My faith is working. Miracles are coming to me. The light is on. The elevator is on the way!

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CONTEND FOR THE GLORY

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. (1 Peter 1:8)

Unspeakable joy is a container of the glory of God.
Mark Hankins

The glory of God will increase for those who believe. The glory of the Lord is God’s manifested presence. In His presence is fullness of joy so there must be some extraordinary joy in the glory.

The first thing we should do is believe it and declare it. Expect it and it shall come to pass! We are living in the last days. The promises and prophecies are being fulfilled faster and faster. The atmosphere of Heaven and the aroma of praise are filling the church. Be strengthened in your faith and position yourself for “Heaven on Earth!”

Jesus said if you believed, you would see the glory of God. Jesus was not talking about someday far into the future –He was speaking of a manifestation of God’s goodness and power, now! This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it! Go ahead and rejoice as if your dream is coming to pass! Let the good times roll!

Confession: The glory of God is manifesting in my life because I believe. (John 11:40) God’s promises are being fulfilled in my life and my dreams are coming to pass!

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EXPERIENCE THE GLORY

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Keep your confidence; there is a great payday that is certain.
Mark Hankins

Keep believing and obeying God and His Word. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. When God rewards, He rewards well! God is not cheap, nor does He withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly! (Psalm 84:11)

God is called the “God of Glory” in Acts 7:2. In Ephesians 1:17, God is the “Father of Glory.” His glory includes wealth, numbers, commerce, power, wisdom, promotion, superiority, dignity, authority, nobility, splendor, valor, magnificence, extraordinary privileges, and advantages. Jesus came that we might enjoy the same glory. (John 17:22-24)

Your payday is coming; when it arrives, it will come with everything that the glory of God denotes. We have great confidence and expectation in the Lord. God’s reward system is unlimited!

Confession: God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that I ask or think, according to the power that works in me! (Ephesians 3:20)

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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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