Living By Faith

THE UNSEEN CONNECTION

Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 16:14)

Every person can have a relationship with the Holy Spirit.
Mark Hankins

You have a partner to walk out your new life with in Christ. His name is the Holy Spirit or the Holy Ghost. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. If you would listen to Him, He would keep you out of a lot of trouble — trouble in business, in relationships, and in church.

In John 16:14, Jesus describes the work of the Holy Ghost as the Spirit of Truth. You may be thinking, “Truth doesn’t excite me.” What does? The casino? Remember, they didn’t build that place with winners! They are even glad when you win because you will stick around and lose another $5,000. Then you will go to church and not even pay your tithes. You need a slap on the head!

As you read your Bible, you need to invite your Holy Spirit partner by saying, “Holy Spirit, let’s read the Bible. Help me and guide me into all truth. Show me something, Holy Spirit.” Since the Holy Spirit wrote it, He ought to know what it means!

Confession: The Holy Spirit is my partner. He will help me to walk out my new life with Christ. He will guide me into all truth!

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RIGHTEOUSNESS: REVELATION AND MOTIVATION

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:17)

God sees you in Christ, but you must see yourself in Him.
Mark Hankins

It is important to understand that the Gospel of Christ is a revelation of righteousness. Understanding righteousness is fundamental to Christianity. Understanding righteousness also enables us to win the fight of faith. The Apostle Paul’s letters help us to understand that righteousness is a free gift. His letters also help us to see ourselves In Christ.

Righteousness gives us right standing with God. Righteousness sets us free from sin, guilt, and shame. Since we are free from the motivating power of shame, we are now under a new motivating power of righteousness. The power of righteousness is the revelation of all true victory. We are no longer haunted by a sense of inadequacy or inferiority. God has given us First class righteousness in Christ!

Confession: I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. I have right standing with God. I am free from the motivating power of shame. I am now under the motivating power of righteousness. I have victory in Christ!

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JESUS WENT TO THE SYNAGOGUE

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. (Luke 4:16)

Jesus had studied the Word and found Himself in the Word!
Mark Hankins

Jesus went to Nazareth, where He had been brought up, and as His custom was, He went to the synagogue. Jesus went into the synagogue on the Sabbath Day as He usually did and stood up to read. Jesus went there all the time. His mama and daddy taught Him to go there.

You might say, “I don’t need to go to church because the Lord and I have our own thing.” If Jesus went to the synagogue as God, you ought to go to church.

They gave Jesus the book of the prophet Isaiah. When He opened the book, “he found the place where it was written.” (Luke 4:17) Jesus had studied the Word until He found Himself in the Word!

Do you know how He found it? He was looking. While everybody else was playing games, Jesus was studying the prophets. Luke 2:52 says, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” You can grow in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and man by finding yourself in the Word of God.

Confession: I am growing in God. I am increasing in wisdom and in favor with God and man.

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EXPERIENCE JESUS

For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. (2 Corinthians 5:13)

Religion and tradition bring death; Jesus brings life and a living experience with Him.
Mark Hankins

In 2 Corinthians 5:13, Paul simply said, “If we have lost our minds, it is God’s fault.” Many people thought Paul was crazy because he had such a radical experience with Jesus Christ. His life turned in a totally different direction. I am sure his mama, daddy, his kinfolks, and his old friends thought he was crazy and had lost his mind.

I believe your experience with Jesus ought to be so strong and put such a dividing line in your life that your old friends do not even want to be around you anymore! They will say, “We do not want to be around him. He is always talking about Jesus and wanting to go to church.”

Have you ever had the Holy Spirit come upon you with such revelation of the goodness of God and what God has done for you in Christ that you feel like you have lost your mind? You may want to shout, jump, run, and roll in the floor!

Confession: I am beside myself because of what God has done for me in Jesus! Oh, the possibilities that are mine in Jesus!

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WISDOM IN CHRIST

In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:3)

Wisdom and knowledge are more valuable than money.
Mark Hankins

The treasures of wisdom and knowledge in Him are hidden or stored up just for you. They are not hidden from you; they are hidden for you. In other words, God is not going to take all these wonderful things and lay them out in the street.

God has a secret place where He has hidden them for people who receive Jesus. You have access into the secret place where all are stored. Whatever knowledge, direction, understanding, and wisdom you need about your marriage, your children, your finances, or your future is stored up in Christ.

The Good News Bible says, “He is the key that opens all the hidden treasures of God’s wisdom and knowledge.” Wisdom and knowledge are more valuable than money. If you get the money without the wisdom, you will not keep the money long. But if you get wisdom, you can get money no matter what happens or where you go.

Confession: I have wisdom in Christ. Jesus is the key that opens all the hidden treasures of God’s wisdom and knowledge. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God…and it shall be given him.”

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