Search Menu Toggle navigation
Living By Faith
Search Menu Toggle navigation

GOING WHERE YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN

And they commanded the people, saying,When ye see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way here to fore. (Joshua 3:3-4)

If God told us everything, we would not have to walk by faith.

Mark Hankins

Joshua needed to have a spirit of faith to lead the nation of Israel out of the wilderness into the Promised Land of Canaan. The people were commanded to move from their place, keep their eyes on the ark, and follow it at a certain distance. They were going into new territory. They had never passed that way before.

It seems that God led them in increments of 2,000 cubits (or about 3/5 of a mile). God often gives us only one or two steps at a time. He tells us enough so that we can obey by faith. He doesn’t always tell us everything, but He tells us enough so that we can obey and walk by faith!

Confession:  The Lord orders my steps. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delighteth in his way.(Psalm 37:23) A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.  (Proverbs 16:9 NKJV)

  • 0

PIONEERS, SETTLERS, AND MUSEUM KEEPERS

By faith. Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. (Hebrews 11:24-25)

The spirit of faith will make you leave your comfort zone. Mark Hankins

There are three kinds of people: pioneers, settlers, and museum keepers.  

  • Museum keepers are content to dust off the memories of previous generations and talk about the exploits of the past. They live off of the experiences of others and never see God’s power operate in their own lives.  
  • Settlers travel for a while, but become weary of the journey and stop too soon. They get comfortable and never press on to the possibilities ahead.  Some of the tribes of Israel settled too soon and never crossed the Jordan with Joshua. 
  • Pioneers are those who venture into unknown or unclaimed territory. They are the ones who open up new areas; they prepare the way! 

We should qualify as pioneers because the spirit of faith never stops pressing on!  With God all things are possible! (Matthew 19:26)

Confession:The spirit of faith is a pioneer spirit. The spirit of faith in me will push out from the shore and launch into the deep at God’s Word. (Luke 5:4-5)

  • 0

JOURNEYS IN JOY AND FAITH

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. (Hebrews 11:8)

The spirit of faith is a pioneer spirit. Mark Hankins

             The Apostle Paul had a spirit of faith. He was a happy man, even in the worst circumstances.  He thanked the believers in Philippi for their partnership with him in the Gospel, and he blessed them with a Word from God. The Word He spoke guaranteed that every need of theirs would be met as a result of their giving. (Philippians 4:19)

Paul wrote in Philippians 1:25, And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith.  The word furtherance could be translated the pioneer advance of the Gospel and of joy and faith. 

God want us to make progress in the Gospel and go where we have never gone before in expectation, joy, and faith. Now is the time for ever-increasing faith!

Confession: I have a pioneer spirit! The joy of the Lord is my strength! I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Nehemiah 8:10; Philippians 3:14)

  • 0

SHOUTING, DANCING, AND RUNNING

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God… everyone’s bands (chains) were loosed. (Acts 16:25-26)

When the glory of God manifests, it brings the supernatural power of God! Mark Hankins

The spirit of faith will cause you to shout while the walls are still standing, like God’s people did at Jericho before the walls came down (Joshua 6:20). The spirit of faith will cause you to dance like David did when the Ark of the Covenant was returned to Jerusalem and the glory returned (II Samuel 6:14-15). The spirit of faith may cause you to run like Elijah did when the hand of the Lord came upon him (I Kings 18:46). The rain he had prayed and contended for was coming, and he outran the king’s chariot. The spirit of faith will cause you to sing and praise God loudly, as Paul and Silas did at midnight when they were imprisoned in chains! (Acts 16:25).

All of these demonstrations of the power of God were connected to the expressions of faith made by God’s people! God watches as we demonstrate faith and act on the Word!

Confession:I lift my voice with a shout of victory! My faith acts on the Word of God! I will rejoice in the Lord always! (Philippians 4:4)

  • 0

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 ashamedtoget “ugly” for Jesus! I rejoice at thy word as one that findeth great spoil! (Psalm 119:162)

  • 0

Sign up for Living By Faith Blog Subscribers

* = required field

Recent Posts

Categories