Living By Faith

GOD PLUCKED YOU OUT

And the Lord said to Satan, The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! Even the Lord Who now and habitually chooses Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this [returned captive Joshua] a brand plucked out of the fire? (Zechariah 3:2 Amplified)

Your consciousness often shows on your countenance. Mark Hankins

Zechariah 3:3 says, “Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.” Joshua had on some dirty, filthy clothes. Those clothes are a type of disobedience, sin, or the effect of sin.

You see people that still have oppression, fear, guilt, or shame on them. Once you get “in Christ,” you put on the new man. Then you can wear joy, blessing, confidence, righteousness, and glory. God wants you to change clothes!

Do you know God plucked you out of the fire? The devil said, “I have you, and I am going to destroy you.” God said, “Hold it, devil! I have a plan. I have chosen him. He belongs to Me.” You were going down for the last time, but God plucked you out!

Confession: I am getting dressed up in Christ! I am wearing joy, blessing, confidence, righteousness, and glory!

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DOUBLE PAYDAY

Therefore in their land they shall possess double [what they had forfeited]; everlasting joy shall be theirs. (Isaiah 61:7 AMP)

For your double trouble, God will give you a double measure of joy, wealth, and anointing.
Mark Hankins

For years, Trina and I had been sowing seed and believing God for a plane for the ministry. We had found a Cessna 421 and were making arrangements to purchase it. The next week at our annual leadership conference, we were blessed with over half of the money needed to purchase the plane.

The following weekend, we went to Dallas for my nephew’s wedding. When we checked into our hotel, a mistake had been made and instead of a room with a king- size bed, we were given two double beds. However, when we went into the room, we saw a Payday candy bar on each bed and decided to stay. Trina and I ate them and rejoiced saying, “It must be double payday!” The following Sunday, someone came to our church and gave an offering that completely paid off the plane! Our double payday had come!

Confession: My double payday is coming! I am going to sow a double seed and do a double dance. Just like Job, God is going to give me twice as much as I had before!

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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 of heaviness; 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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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 a way 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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JOY NEUTRALIZES PRESSURE

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God. (Acts 16:25)

If you allow pressure to push you out of position, you’ll miss your miracle. Mark Hankins

The Apostle Paul had the Jews, the Gentiles, and the Romans putting pressure on him. During one of the most difficult hours of his life, he began singing praises to God.

The devil can put pressure on you and get you into a corner, but as long as he can’t shut your mouth, you can overcome. Oral Roberts said, “Everyday there’s a miracle coming to you or passing you by.” That means if you allow pressure to push you out of your position, you’ll miss your miracle.

When you start counting it all joy, it neutralizes the pressure. That is a challenge, but rejoicing is a choice you make that will strengthen you so that your faith and patience will hold you steady. “Is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow and don’t try to squirm out of your problems.” (James 1:2-4 TLB)

Confession: When my patience is in full bloom, I will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete. (James 1:4 TLB)

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