Living By Faith

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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FINDING YOUR PLACE IN CHRIST

Now thanks be unto God, which always cause thus to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.  (2 Corinthians 2:14)

Understanding where you are has everything to do with finding your destiny and direction in life. Mark Hankins

A traveling man entered a town looking for a certain address. He pulled into the driveway of a home where a little boy was playing in the front yard to ask for directions. He rolled down his window and called to the little boy, “Where am I?”  The little boy answered, “Right there you are!”

Many times in life we search for answers and direction. God shows us in His Word a simple, “Right there you are!”  Understanding the new birth and who you are in Christ begins with several “right there you are” and “you are here” scriptures.

Accept the integrity of God’s Word and boldly declare, “I am who God says I am. I have what God says I have. I can do what God says I can do.” Right there you are — in Christ!

Confession: In Him dwelleth all the fullness of the God head bodily. I am complete in Him which is the head of all principality and power! (Colossians 2:9-10)

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SO BE IT

Whatever God has promised gets stamped with the Yes of Jesus. In him, this is what we preach and pray, the great Amen, Gods Yes and our Yes together, gloriously evident. (2 Corinthians 1:20  Message)

You can go to church and walk out in the same condition you came in, even though you said, “Amen! Glory! Hallelujah!” in all the right places. Mark Hankins

Do you know what “Amen” means?  It means, “So be it.”  If you are in church and say, “Amen,” you are saying, “So be it.” You ought to consider what you “Amen.” Some people just say “Amen” at timed intervals. They are not even paying attention. One man was preaching and said, “You know, millions of people are going to hell every day.”  Then he said, “Amen.”  That means, “So be it. Let them go to hell, man. I don’t care.” You need to be careful when you say “Amen.”

Paul is saying, “Amen, so be it.”  Jesus is the Amen. Jesus, through His death, burial, and resurrection came and said, “So be it” to everything God has ever promised. He fulfilled it and brought the reality of it into the economy of God. It is no longer just a promise or just some theology; it is an absolute reality.

Confession: What God has promised is affirmative-no question about it!

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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.” (1Peter1:8)

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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WIN THE CASE

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 14:17)

When you are filled with the Spirit, then you will know the voice of God. – Smith Wigglesworth

P.C. Nelson wrote the book of fundamental Bible Doctrines for the Assemblies of God denomination. He was a Greek and Hebrew scholar, fluent in 32 different languages. He described the Comforter with the Greek word Parakletos. He is our Advocate, Counselor, and Intercessor. When the Holy Spirit is working on our case, we have a tremendous advantage. He has a reputation for winning cases!

The “Advocate/Counselor” is called in for His exceptional knowledge, expertise in protocol, procedure, and persuasive speaking ability. I’m glad we have the Holy Spirit helping us today!

Confession: The Spirit of truth dwells in me. He is my Advocate, Counselor, and Intercessor. He strengthens me with mighty power, fills me with the fullness of God, and opens the supernatural for exceeding abundant blessing! (Ephesians 3:14-21)

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