Living By Faith

A GREAT BEDTIME STORY

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in ONCE into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (Hebrews 9:12)

Jesus cancelled and abolished sin ONCE for all time for all men.
Mark Hankins

ONCE! That’s all it took! What Jesus did for us in His death and resurrection, He only had to do ONCE! ONCE He shed His blood. ONCE He paid the price for our freedom. ONCE He put away and abolished sin. ONCE He dethroned and defeated Satan. ONCE for all time! ONCE for all mankind! ONCE for the cure of every condition! He only had to die ONCE so that every blessing in heaven could be ours.

Whenever you face any challenge, remember this story and tell it again, “ONCE UPON A TIME!” Jesus defeated Satan so badly He only had to do it ONCE!
When Satan comes against you, just bring up this story and say, “ONCE upon a time…” and the devil will leave. Now, we as believers can take the Word of God and tell the devil a bedtime story. Say, “Devil, ONCE upon a time Jesus defeated you for all eternity.” Speak the Word of God with boldness and rock the devil to sleep!

Confession: But as now is, He has ONCE for all at the consummation and close of the ages appeared to put away and abolish sin by His sacrifice [of Himself]. (Hebrews 9:26 AMP)

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SEE THE UNSEEN

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)

God wants to open a different set of eyes so you can see the unseen.
Mark Hankins

Prophets were called seers in the Old Testament because they saw things in the supernatural. In 2 Kings 6, Elisha was seeing and knew what the enemy was going to do before they ever went to battle.

One morning, Elisha’s servant woke up and realized the mountains were filled with enemy soldiers that wanted to kill Elisha. The servant, full of fear, ran in to wake up Elisha. He said, “We’re gonna die today! They’re gonna kill us! Wake up! Get up! We’re gonna die!” Elisha said to his servant, “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.”

The prophet then prayed for his servant, “Lord, I pray for you to open his eyes that he may see.” The servant then saw what Elisha saw. God had sent angels and chariots of fire that surrounded Elisha and surrounded the army. There was no reason to be afraid!

Confession: My eyes are open to the supernatural. I do not look at the things that are seen which are temporary, but at the things which are not seen which are eternal!

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UNFORGIVENESS CAN CAUSE DISEASE

Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled. (Hebrews 12:15 NKJV)

The cure for certain diseases is forgiveness! Mark Hankins

I believe that we will never find a cure for certain diseases because all diseases are not simply physical or biological. Some have their roots in a curse that comes from breaking a spiritual law.  That means the devil is the source of it all!

Guard against bitterness. Remember, unforgiveness is the greatest enemy to your faith so you must deal with it quickly.  When the devil tries to trick you into being unforgiving or bitter because of an injustice, all kinds of incurable diseases may result. You might not have done anything to be in the pit you are in, but you must forgive. Medicine will not be able to cure some diseases because the cure for them is spiritual. Sometimes you will have to deal with something in your heart before you can receive your healing. The cure for certain diseases is forgiveness!

Confession: I will obey the Word of God. It is life and health to my flesh.I will guard my heart, for out of it springs the issues of life! (Proverbs 4:22-23)

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GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE

The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord. (Proverbs 20:27)

The fire of God moves you from your comfort zone into greater possibilities and accomplishments. Mark Hankins

Many people don’t follow God because they fear the unknown, but faith is obeying God even amidst the unknown. Abraham obeyed God without knowing where he was going. 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) Faith obeys even when you don’t have all of the information! When God lights your spirit, you will do things that you never thought you could do!

The spirit of faith is more than a formula; it is a fire in the spirit of man! The revelation of the Word of God will set your spirit aflame! God is a consuming fire, and when His Word burns in your heart, it will allow you to overcome every situation in life!

Confession: Revelation of the Word of God sets my spirit on fire! I am moving out of my comfort zone. I will trust in the Lord with all of my heart and lean not unto my own understanding. In all of my ways I shall acknowledge Him, and He shall direct my paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

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PIONEERS, SETTLERS, AND MUSEUM KEEPERS

By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaohs 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)

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