Living By Faith

FAITH WORKS BY LOVE

For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. (Galatians 5:6)

Your faith will not work properly if you are not walking in love! Mark Hankins

If your mountain keeps standing in the same old place, you’re not receiving what you’ve been praying for, and your faith is not working, the first thing you need to do is check your love walk.

What does it take to deal with offense or unforgiveness? It’s as simple as making a choice. When another person is involved and knows about the problem, you need to say, “Please forgive me.”  However, if the other person doesn’t know about the problem — if it’s something you did or something you’ve been holding against an individual — there’s no reason to get him or her involved, because you’ll stir up more devils than you can cast out! Just forgive that person and be friendly again. Get rid of that grudge!

The problem is not with God. Check your love walk. Evaluate the way you’re talking, acting and conducting your relationships. Walk in love, because faith works by love.

Confession: My mountain will move when I choose to walk in love in the way I talk, act, and conduct my relationships. I will walk in love because faith works by love!

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UNFORGIVENESS: THE BIGGEST ENEMY TO FAITH

And when ye stand praying forgive, if ye have ought against any; that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. (Mark 11:25-26)

Faith works by love. A step out of love is a step out of God. Kenneth E. Hagin

The biggest enemy to faith is unforgiveness. In Mark 11, Jesus was talking about moving mountains. He said all things are possible in prayer. However, He pointed out that if you don’t deal with unforgiveness, none of your praying, your saying, or your faith would work!

If someone really did you wrong, you must forgive that person by releasing him or her of any unforgiveness on your part. You must not speak against that person or attack that individual. You must let go of your unforgiveness. When you release that person, forgive. And when you forgive, something positive will happen inside of you!

Confession: I must forgive others in order for God to forgive me. A step out of love is a step out of God. I choose to release any unforgiveness and offense to the Lord. I realize that for my faith to work, I must forgive and walk in love!

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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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MOUNTAIN CLIMBING

Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? OrWho shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord… (Psalm 24:3-5)

The spirit of faith always chooses the Glory Road. Mark Hankins

The Knox translation of Psalm 24:3 says, “Who dares climb the mountain of the Lord?”  The ones who will climb God’s mountain are the ones with the spirit of faith! The spirit of faith always chooses the Glory Road! Climbing this mountain represents obedience to the will of God. 

The road on the mountain of God is the Glory Road. Those who choose to travel the Glory Road see the glory of God! The Glory Road is like a spiritual Mount Everest.  On this road there is much sacrifice and it is extremely challenging, but when you get to the top and see what is on the other side, you will be glad you chose that road. It requires training and discipline to make it to the top. However, the rewards at the top make the journey worthwhile. Choose the Glory Road and experience the glory of God!

Confession: I will dare to climb the mountain of God and obey His will for my life! I choose the Glory Road! I will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of my salvation. (Psalm 24:5)

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PIONEERS IN THE GOSPEL

Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:18-19)

It takes faith to forsake, follow, and forget! Mark Hankins

The spirit of faith is not afraid to leave things behind. It can be difficult to lay aside treasured items and traditional ways of thinking, but the rewards of obeying God should keep you moving forward. 

Hebrews 11:27 says that by faith, Moses forsook Egypt. Abraham forsook Ur of the Chaldees to go to Canaan. (Genesis 11:31-12:9) Peter, James, and John forsook their boats and followed Jesus. (Mark 1:17-18)

God is always looking for pioneers — people who will not settle for less than God’s best. The spirit of faith will keep them moving, and those pioneers will keep expecting miracles.

Confession: I will forget those things which are behind, and reach forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus! (Philippians 3:13-14)

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