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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SHOUT IT OUT

I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. (Romans 1:16)

Everything changes when you begin to understand who you are in Christ and begin to act like the Bible is true. Mark Hankins

The company that makes Shout detergent uses the slogan: “For those tough stains, you have to ‘Shout’ them out!” I couldn’t agree more. Make sure you know what you are shouting about and let it rip!

Smith Wigglesworth said, “Some people would be giants in faith if they just had a shout.” Faith shouts while the walls are still standing. He also said, “You need to see how wonderful you are in God and how helpless you are without Him.”

Mom ran around the church in West Columbia, Texas, for many years. It is much larger now than it was when I was a child. More educated and prosperous people joined the congregation, but she would still say, “Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!” She continued to shout, “Woooooo!” and ran around the church. The only thing that changed over the years is that in the later years, I would run with her!

Confession: God has brought me up out of a horrible pit, and out of the miry clay. He set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings! He has put a new song in my mouth! My mouth is full of His praise! (Psalm 40:2-3)

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MY MOMMA RUNS

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, and out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God. (Psalm 40:2-3)

It’s not necessary unless it’s necessary!
B.B. Hankins

As I grew up in church, there were some unusual services. Sometimes while we sang, Mom would begin to praise God rather exuberantly and shout, “Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!” With glory and joy on her countenance, she would shout “Wooooo!” and run around the church! Dad was a little more dignified. After Mom ran, Dad would say, “Now, some of you don’t think that is necessary. It’s not necessary, unless it’s necessary!” While the congregation tried to figure out what Dad had said, Mom and others who had joined her would finish their rejoicing!

Dad’s preaching and Mom’s praying and running around the church began to make sense to me. I started studying the scriptures that showed me my redemption in Christ. I began to meditate daily on who I am in Christ. The power of God’s Word started to work in me, and I began to understand my identification with Christ. That’s where victory begins — right where you are!

Confession: The revelation of your words sheds light, giving understanding to the simple. (Psalm 119:30 NAB)

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ELIJAH AND ELISHA

Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. (2 Kings 2:9-10)

It’s time to rip some things the devil has tried to make you wear.
Mark Hankins

Elijah said, “You cannot have my mantle unless you see me when I go up.” Elisha determined, “Nothing is going to stop me from seeing that man when he goes up.”

The day came when Elijah crossed the Jordan River, and Elisha went over with him. The chariot came down, the whirlwind took Elijah up, and Elisha said, “Hey, it is a new day!” When that mantle came down, he grabbed it. It represented a double anointing. He grabbed the mantle and ripped his own clothes. He said, “I am wearing some new clothes.”

It’s time to rip some things the devil has tried to make you wear. Get dressed in the reality of your redemption in Christ. You have access to new places. Dress up in honor. Put on a garment of praise right now!

Confession: I rejoice because I do not wear the same clothes that I used to wear! In Christ, I have new clothes!

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GOD IS GIVING YOU A CHANGE OF CLOTHES

And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. (Zechariah 3:4)

God is dressing you in prosperity! Mark Hankins

God said, “I am going to dress you up in some new clothes.” The Amplified Bible says, “I will clothe you with rich apparel.” Here are some different kinds of clothes the Bible says to put on:

  1. A robe of righteousness of who you are in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21)
  2. A garment of praise (Isaiah 61:3)
  3. The power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49)
    (Pray in the Holy Spirit until what is on the inside of you gets on the outside of you
  4. Your glory clothes (Psalm 8:5)
    (Get in the presence of God until you are wearing glory on your countenance.)
  5. Humility (1 Peter 5:5)

Confession: I am wearing a robe of righteousness and a garment of praise! I walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and glory of God. I am clothed with humility. I am dressed in prosperity in Christ!

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