Living By Faith

PRESS ON

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14)

There are some good things that are in you that you need to acknowledge!
Mark Hankins

In tennis, baseball, or basketball, a good coach will always tell the player who missed a shot, “You do not have time to think about the last shot you missed. This game is too short, and if you keep thinking about the last shot you missed, you will get down on yourself. That will affect the rest of your game and the whole team. It will cause you to lose.” So the coach will say, “Shake it off fast! Forget about it.”

Press on to those things that are ahead. Do you know some things are just ahead for you? You must take your place in Christ and hold yourself in that place. Paul said, “Acknowledging every good thing that is in you in Christ.” There are some good things that are in you that you need to acknowledge. Confess them. Your faith becomes effective when you acknowledge those things. “Acknowledge” means you have to say it.

Confession: I am the righteousness of God in Christ. I have been made right with God. In Christ Jesus, I am righteous. I am a new creation in Him. It is so good to be in Christ!

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ACKNOWLEDGING EVERY GOOD THING

That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
(Philemon 6)

Your life becomes a great testimony to others as they see the wonderful benefits that belong to the believer!
Mark Hankins

No good thing comes from walking or following after the flesh. On the other hand, every good thing is available to you as you follow after the Spirit in Christ. Believers should acknowledge every good thing that is in them in Christ.

There are many benefits that are ours in Christ. The Fenton translation of Philemon 6 says, “so that your advance in the faith may become energetic by recognition of every benefit there is for us in Christ.” Would you like to advance in faith? You do not want to be the same next year at this time or next month at this time, do you? You need to take some steps forward by acknowledging who you are in Christ!

Confession: I am righteous in Christ. I am blessed in Christ. Victory is mine in Him. I am not trying to get it or hoping to get it, it is mine now! I am in Christ and Christ is in me!

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SUPERNATURAL PROMOTION

Clothe (apron) yourselves, all of you, with humility — as the garb of a servant, so that its covering cannot possibly be stripped from you, with freedom from pride and arrogance — toward one another. For God sets Himself against the proud — the insolent, the over-bearing, the disdainful, the presumptuous, the boastful, and opposes, frustrates and defeats them — but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves (demote, lower your- selves in your own estimation) under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you. (1 Peter 5:5-6 Amplified)

If God takes you up, no one can take you down!
Mark Hankins

We are to honor people who have had an impact upon us spiritually. Even though they may not be perfect, as we honor them we will have the blessing of God in our lives.

We honor these men and women of God by serving them and by giving to them financially. There is a due time when God will exalt you. When He takes you up, no one can bring you down. If someone else promotes you, you can lose it all. If God takes you up, no one can take you down!

Confession: I humble myself (demote and lower myself in my own estimation) under the mighty hand of God, and in due time, He will exalt me!

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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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PUT ON THE NEW MAN

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
(Ephesians 4:23-24)

In order to put on the new man, you have to change clothes.
Mark Hankins

In Ephesians 4:23-24, Paul was not talking about natural clothes, but he was talking about putting on something supernaturally. The new man is in you, but the outward man needs to make some wardrobe adjustments.

To change your clothes means to change your lifestyle, change the way you think, change your direction, change who you are hanging out with, change what you are watching on television, and change the kind of books you are reading.

How are you going to do that? “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.” (Romans 13:14) When you expose yourself to situations that can cause you to fall, you need to watch your flesh. Although you are saved, you still occupy a body. You will get a new body when you get to Heaven, but right now you still have to deal with your flesh.

Confession: I am renewed in the spirit of my mind. I put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (Ephesians 4:23-24)

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