Living By Faith

FINDING YOURSELF IN THE GROUP PICTURE

For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

At the cross, God was working “in” Christ, but He was working “on” us.
Mark Hankins

When looking at a group picture, the first thing you look for is yourself. The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ is a “group picture.” You need to look for yourself in the group picture of redemption. You were included on the cross and were there in His resurrection and triumph.

The greatest of all revelations in the Bible is in Paul’s New Testament letters. James Stalker said, “Paul’s letters contain the thoughts that Jesus carried away from this world unuttered. They are the advanced teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The Apostle Paul gives us the great facts of redemption. He explains what happened in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Everything Jesus did, He did for us and has set it to the credit of our account as though we did it. We were identified with Him.

Confession: Even when I was dead in sins, God quickened me together with Christ. By His grace I am saved. He has raised me up and made me to sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:5-6)

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THE SECRET OF POWER…CHRIST IN YOU

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

The reality for every Christian is that we are in Christ, and Christ is in us.
Mark Hankins

Think about these words and say them out loud, “Christ lives in me.” God has placed us In Christ. This position of faith gives us great privilege. In Christ, we have access to the Father with confidence, and we have great potential In Him. We are ever-increasing in faith and love and are on the way to our divine destiny In Christ.

The same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to believers In Christ. There are also exceeding, great, precious promises that belong to us In Christ.

In Christ, God says a giant “yes” to us and we answer, “Amen, so be it!” We agree with God and live in the reality of our redemption In Christ.

Confession: I have great potential In Christ! I have access to the Father with confidence. The life that I now live, I live by faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me. I agree with God and live in the reality of my redemption in Christ!

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CHRIST IN GOD…CHRIST IN YOU…YOU IN CHRIST

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man. (Ephesians 3:16)

When we are filled with the Holy Spirit and yield to Him, He makes our redemption real to us. Mark Hankins

The Spirit of God infuses us with inner strength. As we invite God to fill us and strengthen us, something begins to happen in our spirit. There is a new enthusiasm about life and the will of God for our lives. As we recognize and yield to the Holy Spirit, God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think. We have “joy unspeakable and full of glory.” (1 Peter 1:8)

We live in a great day because of what Jesus has done for us! We are redeemed because of His death, burial, resurrection, and the power of His blood. The Spirit of God lives in us.

What a powerful revelation given by the Holy Spirit. You are in Christ, Christ is in God, and Christ is in you!

Confession: That He would grant me, according to the riches of His glory to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in my inner man! (Ephesians 3:16)

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THE KING STILL HAS ONE MORE MOVE

He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6)

The spirit of faith is necessary to do the will of God.
Mark Hankins

I heard the story of a group that was touring the artwork at the Louvre. In this group was an international chess champion. The group was going through the Louvre looking at the artwork when they came to a picture entitled, “Checkmate.” The artist had drawn a chessboard where it looked like the king had no more moves. The picture showed the chess player with his head in his hands and the devil laughing at him. The group looked at the picture and moved on; but the chess champion stayed at the picture and stared at it. After a while, the leader of the group came back to check on him. The chess champion said, “You know, they’re either going to have to change the name of this picture or change the picture, because I am an expert and I can see that the king still has one more move.”

God wants you to know that the King has one more move! As you maintain a spirit of faith and let God make His move, the picture will reverse. Now the devil has his head down and you are the one that is laughing!

Confession: I am confident that he who hath begun a good work in me is faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6)

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FAITH GETS HAPPY NOW

…so that I might finish my course with joy. (Acts 20:24)

Faith cranks God’s tractor.
Mark Hankins

When you look at the life of the Apostle Paul, you will see a man that God had perfectly “putt” to a divine calling and destiny. You can see the genius of God as you observe the many turning points in the trajectory of Paul’s life. You will also notice the spirit of faith working to overcome adversity. Paul had been stoned, shipwrecked, snake-bit, beat in the head, and left for dead. He could have said he was a tired, mistreated, lonely, disappointed, and hurting man, but that’s not how Paul didn’t described himself. Instead, Paul said he was a happy man.

Towards the end of his life, Paul stood before the leaders of the Roman Empire and said, “I think myself happy” (Acts 26:2). Another translation says, “I have been congratulating myself, King Agrippa.”

Paul’s spirit of faith carried him to his divine destination. He finished his course with joy and completed the assignment given to him by Jesus Christ. He enjoyed the journey in spite of all the adversity he faced. Faith gets happy now!

Confession: I will finish my course with joy. In spite of adversity, the joy of the Lord is my strength! (Nehemiah 8:10)

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