Living By Faith

WINNING THE WAR

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts 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 4:22-24)

When you get in Christ you are introduced to a whole new realm— the realm of God! Mark Hankins

Paul said to put off the former lifestyle, your old conversation, and your old way of living and to be renewed in the spirit of your mind. Evidently this change doesn’t happen instantly when you are saved, because he was talking to Spirit-filled Christians. There is a battle between your born-again spirit and your unrenewed mind.

How are you going to win this war? You are going to have to have your weapons ready. What are your weapons? They are the blood, the Word, and the name of Jesus. You also have another help, the anointing of the Holy Spirit, which destroys every yoke of bondage. You might think that all you need is a vacation when what you really need is the blood of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit breaking that yoke off of your soul and your mind!

Confession: I put off my former lifestyle and renew my mind to the Word of God. The blood of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit destroy every yoke of bondage in my life!

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WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. (2 Corinthians 10:4)

In man there is a spirit, the part of man that is the receiver for spiritual things. Mark Hankins

Where are strongholds located? Paul said they are in your mind. He said to bring every thought into captivity. That means you must get control of your mind and your body. You must do that daily through the weapons of your warfare.

What are the weapons of your warfare? Get the Word of God and begin feeding on it. Your spirit is hungry for God. Your flesh may be hungry for chicken fried steak or apple pie, but your spirit is hungry for God. The Word is full of supernatural life and power.

Start speaking, “Satan, the blood of Jesus is against you.” Start talking about the name of Jesus. Start praying in the Holy Spirit. The devil cannot tell what you are saying when you pray in other tongues. Your spirit (the part of you that is born again) gets edified and rises up in response to faith-filled words.

Confession: My spirit is born again. Satan the blood of Jesus is against you. My old man, the old person I used to be, was crucified with Christ and I do not serve sin. I am dead to sin and alive unto God!

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POSITION, PRIVILEGE, POTENTIAL, POWER, AND PROMISE IN CHRIST

In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him. (Ephesians 3:12)

The blood of Jesus has given us great boldness and confidence!
Mark Hankins

We enjoy great position, privilege, potential, power, and promise In Christ. God sees us In Christ, and we look a lot better In Christ than we do outside of Him. If you are not impressed with who you are in Christ, you haven’t seen Him lately.

We are the workmanship of God created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained for us to walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10) We have come into closest fellowship with Christ. We are In Him. The Apostle Paul uses the phrase In Christ, In Him, and In Whom, over 130 times in his letters. Take your position in Christ and live in the privileges and advantages God has provided for you.

Confession: God sees me in Christ. I am the workmanship of God created in Christ Jesus unto good works. For in Christ dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. I am complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2:9-10)

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A NEW DAY OF BOLDNESS

Having therefore, brethren, BOLDNESS to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus. (Hebrews 10:19)

The blood of Jesus has given us great boldness and confidence.
Mark Hankins

Another word that stood out to me in Hebrews was the word, “boldness.” The blood of Jesus has given us great boldness and confidence. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace.” (Hebrews 4:16) “That we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper.” (Hebrews 13:6)

Some other translations of Hebrews 10:19 translate boldness as “freedom of speech” or “outspoken.” The blood of Jesus has given us great boldness and confidence. As believers, we need to exercise our “freedom of speech” and be outspoken about the blood of Jesus and who we are in Christ. Instead of being a victim of our experiences, our experiences are a victim of us.

Now we as believers can take the Word of God and speak with great boldness and confidence! When Satan comes against you, just bring up the story of the blood of Jesus.

Confession: The Lord is my Helper. I can come boldly unto the throne of grace. I am sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:10, 14)

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ONCE UPON A TIME

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in ONCE into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
(Hebrews 9:12)

The story of the blood of Jesus is an established fact throughout history.
Mark Hankins

Everyone likes a great story that begins with the phrase, “Once upon a time….” The story of Jesus is the greatest story ever told. It is not a fantasy, but a true story that has changed the world for thousands of years. The story of Jesus is told in over a thousand languages to millions of people, young and old, around the world, and it is still changing lives today!

One day as I was studying Hebrews 9 and 10, the word “ONCE” stood out so clearly. I began to see God’s plan of redemption in Christ and how the wisdom and power of God very effectively “ONCE” paid the price for our freedom. ONCE! That’s all it took! Jesus shed His blood ONCE! He defeated and dethroned Satan, ONCE FOR ALL TIME…ONCE for all mankind…ONCE for the cure of every condition…ONCE for every blessing in Heaven to be ours!

Confession: Jesus went ONCE for all into the Holy of Holies! Jesus shed His blood ONCE for the price of my freedom.

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