Living By Faith

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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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 because they think they have too many flaws. You don’t have to be perfect to have a spirit of faith. While it is true that you are to keep growing spiritually, you do not need to have reached perfection to have a spirit of faith. Consider the great faith heroes of Hebrews chapter eleven! There is not one perfect person listed in that tremendous list of faith giants. There were flaws in Abraham, Sarah, Noah, Moses, Samson, David, and many others in the Bible who had a spirit of faith.

I am glad that God works with imperfect people! The spirit of faith enables you to overcome in every area of your life! “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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SHOUT FOR THE VICTORY

Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6)

No man can doubt when he learns to shout! Smith Wigglesworth

The spirit of faith will often cause a person to look as foolish as Naaman did, when the prophet Elisha told him to dip seven times in the muddy Jordan River (II Kings 5:14). What God required of Naaman for his healing from leprosy was not difficult, but it seemed too foolish. Naaman’s reasoning almost made him miss his miracle. He finally acted on the prophet’s word and was totally healed!

“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.” (I Corinthians 1:27)
In Romans 4:17, we read of Abraham: “I have made thee a father of many nations, before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.” Smith Wigglesworth said, “You must learn to take the victory and shout in the face of the devil, ‘It is done!’”

Confession: I will shout, “It is done!” in the face of the devil and take my victory. It is not by my might, but by the Spirit of God that I will see my miracle come to pass.

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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

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)

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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

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

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