Living By Faith

WHEN FAITH COMETH, FEAR GOETH

But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

In the midst of adversity, David was overcoming fear!
Mark Hankins

There can be no doubt that David had a spirit of faith. He killed Goliath the giant, a lion, a bear, and more than 10,000 Philistines. Case closed — the man had a spirit of faith! However, in the Psalms we see David dealing with fear. We also see that David dealt with fear by believing and speaking. The spirit of faith requires both! David penned these words in Psalm 116: “For You have delivered my soul from death, My eyes from tears…I believed, therefore I spoke…”

There are over one hundred times in the Bible where we are told, “Fear not.” Jesus said, “Fear not: believe only.” (Luke 8:50) God works by faith; He is a faith God. It pleases God when we have a spirit of faith. (Hebrews 11:6) “We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak.” (2 Corinthians 4:13) We overcome fear as we believe and speak the Word of God.

Confession: The Lord is my light and salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)

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CHOOSE FAITH OR FEAR

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

When the devil says that it is all over, Jesus says that it is not all over; it has just been delayed a little while. Mark Hankins

There will be a moment when you must choose to either believe God or be full of fear. We read about a moment like that in Jairus’ life in Mark 5:35. Jairus was told his daughter was dead. Jesus grabbed Jairus right in the middle of his crisis and gave him a word: “Fear not, only believe.” (Mark 5:36) Jesus will give you a word right in the middle of your crisis, too. He knows what others are telling you. He knows the doubts that are flooding your mind. Jesus hears and says, “I’d like to interrupt the fear and doubt and give you a word from heaven: Fear not, only believe.”

God can take care of you. He can work in your life and undo everything the devil has done. He is able to raise the dead, heal the sick, cast out devils, and turn your whole life around. When He speaks, faith comes. When faith comes, fear goes!

Confession: I choose to speak words of faith and not fear. Jesus said that all things are possible to him who believes. If God is for me, who can be against me? (Romans 8:31)

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FEAR NOT, ONLY BELIEVE

As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. (Mark 5:36)

I choose to fear not, only believe. Believing is a choice.
Mark Hankins

The Bible tells us in Luke 21:26 that in the last days, people’s hearts will fail them because of fear. According to 2 Timothy 1:7, God did not give us a spirit of fear. If God did not give us a spirit of fear, where did it come from? Fear comes from the devil. God is a faith God. When you have a spirit of faith, you do not have a spirit of fear.

Fear has several relatives and companions: doubt, anxiety, stress, and worry. Every one of these negative emotions stems from fear. It is impossible to have a spirit of faith and a spirit of fear at the same time.

In Mark 5, Jairus could have believed the bad report, gotten in fear, and given up on his miracle. But Jesus said, “Fear not, only believe!” There will be a fight to keep your faith strong in the worst of your circumstances. When you choose to believe God, all things are possible!

Confession: I choose to believe God. I am not anxious or worried because the peace of God guards my heart and mind in Christ Jesus! (Philippians 4:6-7)

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FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
(Romans 10:17)

When faith cometh, you knoweth!
Mark Hankins

Faith is the by-product of the Word of God. Notice it says that faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God. The devil would like to starve your faith. Smith Wigglesworth said, “Some people feed their bodies three hot meals a day, and their spirits one cold snack a week, and wonder why they’re weak in faith.” You must feed on the Word of God to be strong in faith. Hear it, meditate on it, speak it, and go over and over it until you feel the substance of faith rise up in your spirit.

Fear is a spirit — a supernatural problem. You cannot deal with fear naturally. You cannot reason with fear. You have to have a Word from God – the Word of faith. When faith comes, healing comes, blessing comes, joy comes, and fear goes. There is power in the Word of faith. When faith comes, substance comes, and you know you have it. Faith cometh!

Confession: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) By the blood of Jesus, I overcome all the works of the devil. Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world! (Revelation 12:11, 1 John 4:4)

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CLOSE THE DOOR ON THE DEVIL

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

If you have a spirit of fear, you did not get it from God!
Mark Hankins

Fear opens the door to the devil. Fear is connected to a lack of power, lack of love, and mental problems. There are more than 100 different kinds of fear. These fears can be irrational, but since fear is of the devil, it does not have to be rational.

For instance, one phobia that plagues mankind is Agoraphobia. This is a fear of outdoors and open spaces. Another one is Anthropophobia; this phobia is a fear of people. There is also a phobia described as Tropophobia or fear of changes. Psychologists say that Thanatophobia, the fear of death, is the root of all fears. If you have a spirit of fear, you did not get it from God.

The Word of God breaks the spirit of fear. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. When faith comes, fear goes. There is faith, power, love, and mental soundness in the Word of God! Speak the Word of God with a voice of faith and fear must go!

Confession: God has not given me the spirit of fear! I have the spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind!

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