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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)

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YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE PERFECT

According to your faith be it unto you. (Matthew 9:29)

We need to acknowledge every good thing that is ours in Christ!

Mark Hankins

The devil is good at pointing out your flaws. When you are confronted with your imperfections, don’t allow yourself to doubt your authenticity in Christ!

I recentlytalkedwithajewelerwhosaidthatall diamondshaveaflawsomewherethatcanbeseenbythe trainedeyeusingamagnifyingglass.  However, the fake diamonds, cubic zirconium, are flawless. They are man-made. They look like diamonds but they are much cheaper; they have only a fraction of the value of a real diamond.

YouarevaluabletoGod.Youarearealdiamond,notacubiczirconium! GodseesyouinChrist. He willkeepworkingwithyouifyoukeepaspiritoffaithand seekHimwithallofyourheart.Youdon’thavetobeperfecttohaveaspiritoffaith.

Confession: I have been made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus! It is God who works in me both to will and to do of His good pleasure! I am valuable to God! (II Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 2:13)

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CHANGED BY FAITH

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. (I John 5:4)

Any man may be changed by faith no matter how he may be fettered.

Smith Wigglesworth

Some people disqualify themselves from the blessings of God becausetheythinktheyhavetoomanyflaws. You don’t have to be perfect to have a spirit of faith.Whileitistruethatyouaretokeepgrowingspiritually, youdonotneedtohavereachedperfectiontohaveaspirit offaith. Consider the great faith heroes of Hebrews chapter eleven! There is not one perfect person listed in that tremendous list of faith giants. TherewereflawsinAbraham, Sarah,Noah,Moses,Samson,David,andmanyothersin theBiblewhohadaspiritoffaith.

IamgladthatGodworkswithimperfectpeople! Thespiritoffaithenablesyoutoovercomeineveryareaof yourlife!  “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)

Confession: I have the spirit of faith. I am changed by faith! I am an overcomer!  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! (Philippians 4:13)

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SHOUTING, DANCING, AND RUNNING

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

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

Mark Hankins

Thespiritoffaithwillcauseyoutoshoutwhilethe wallsarestillstanding,likeGod’speopledidatJericho beforethewallscamedown(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! GodwatchesaswedemonstratefaithandactontheWord!

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)

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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

Alocaltirestoreadvertisesinthenewspaperand ontelevisionwiththisad:  “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.”

Sometimesyouhavetoget“ugly”forJesus. You must act like the Bible is true if you want the anointing and the power of God! Rejoiceinthefaceofadversity! The spiritoffaithwillcauseyoutoseethevictoriousendof thechallengeyouarefacing!

Confession:  I rejoice in the face of adversity! I am not ashamed to get “ugly” for Jesus! I rejoice at thy word as one that findeth great spoil! (Psalm 119:162)

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