Living By Faith

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

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CONTEND FOR THE GLORY

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. (1Peter 1:8)

Unspeakable joy is a container of the glory of God.

Mark Hankins

The glory of God will increase for those who believe. The glory of the Lord is God’s manifested presence. In His presence is fullness of joy so there must be some extraordinary joy in the glory.

The first thing we should do is believe it and declare it. Expect it and it shall come to pass! We are living in the last days. The promises and prophecies are being fulfilled faster and faster. The atmosphere of Heaven and the aroma of praise are filling the church. Be strengthened in your faith and position yourself for “Heaven on Earth!”

Jesus said if you believed, you would see the glory of God. Jesus was not talking about someday far into the future –He was speaking of a manifestation of God’s goodness and power, now! This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!  Go ahead and rejoice as if your dream is coming to pass! Let the good times roll!

Confession:The glory of God is manifesting in my life because I believe.(John 11:40) God’s promises are being fulfilled in my life and my dreams are coming to pass!

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THE TURNING POINT

Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness. (Psalm 30:11)

Unspeakable joy is a container of the glory of God!

Mark Hankins

You are at a turning point. It may seem difficult, but things are turning around for you. God is turning your depression into a celebration. It is time to change clothes. It is time to dance and rejoice. God wants to dress you up in joy. Put on your shouting clothes!

God has appointed this deliverance for you. You have a destined date with the blessing of the Lord. What seemed to be burned and ruined, God is turning into something beautiful. He is anointing you with joy. The anointing breaks every yoke, lifts every burden, and makes us laugh at the enemy. Count it all joy. God has given you a garment of praise. There is great deliverance in the garment of praise. Put it on right now. Keep it on. Thank you, Jesus! He never fails to plan the best things for us.

Confession: To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit o fheaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. (Isaiah 61:3)

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JOY COMETH IN THE MORNING

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of the mall. (Psalm 34:19)

God always has an escape route and is faithful to bring us out.

Mark Hankins

I’m glad that the Lord said in Psalm 34:19 that He would deliver us out of all of our afflictions. He did not say half of them or most of them, He said, “out of them all.”  God always makes a way out.

The word afflictions means adversity, distress, tribulation, persecution, depression, misery, trouble, and pressure. God never guarantees us that we will be exempt from adversity. However, He does guarantee always to bring us out.

Joy cometh in the morning. It may seem like a long night, but the night cannot last forever. The sun is coming up on a new day. The Sun of Righteousness is rising with healing in His wings (beams), and you shall go forth and grow up as calves released from the stall. (Malachi 4:2) As sure as the sun comes up every morning, your deliverance is on the way. The earth is constantly turning on its axis. Even though you may not feel like it, your situation is turning right now. It may seem dark now, but something is happening.  Things are turning, the morning is certain, and the sun is rising!

Confession:Joy cometh! Healing cometh! Blessing cometh! Money cometh! Faith cometh!

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GOD IS RESTORING YOUR JOY

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

If you will refuse to give up and allow your faith to be on trial, you cannot lose!

Mark Hankins

At 75 years of age, Norman Vincent Peal was asked when were the best ten years of his life. He replied, “I haven’t lived them yet!”

Shake off the dust of the past. God will restore the years that the devil tried to mess up in your life. Don’t look back with regret. What the devil meant for evil, God is turning around for your good.

God’s going to do His part, but you have to do your part — you have to rejoice! God has some surprises that are exceeding abundantly above all you could ask or think according to the power that works in you. (Ephesians 3:20)

Confession: God is faithful. He will not allow me to be tempted beyond what I am able to endure. He will always make away to escape! “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” (Ephesians 3:20)

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