Living By Faith

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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STRENGTH FOR THE BATTLE

But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. (John 16:7 AMP)

“The function of the Holy Spirit is to fill a man with a spirit of power and courage which would make him able triumphantly to cope with life.” – William Barclay

The word Parakalein was used in classic Greek to describe the verb form of Parakletos. The Holy Spirit helps us to translate the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ into our personal victory. The Holy Spirit is not just consolation or sympathy in sorrow or distress; He does much more than that.

The Holy Spirit is our Advocate. He is the Counselor for the defense. He is called in to speak in support of His character in order to enlist the favor of the Judge. The Advocate will present someone else’s case in the most favorable light.

Confession:The Holy Spirit fills me with a spirit of power and courage. Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:14)

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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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WINNING THE WAR OF WORDS

In solemn truth I tell you that if anyone shall say to this mountain,“Remove, and hurl thyself into the sea,”and has no doubt about it in his heart, but steadfastly believes that what he says will happen, its hall be granted him. (Mark 11:23  Weymouth Translation)

Jesus won the war of words. Mark Hankins

Jesus defeated Satan in the wilderness by speaking the Word of God (Matthew 4).  Satan said…Jesus said… Satan said…Jesus said…Satan said…Jesus said. The Lord Jesus Christ won the war of words and put the devil on the run. Even Jesus had to “say” three times before the devil left. The power of speaking the Word of God was evident in this example from Jesus’ life and it is necessary for you to win the fight of faith.

Jesus tells us clearly how faith works in Mark 11:23. Faith is released by speaking.  If you are silent, you will lose by default. You must win the war of words in order to win in every conflict.

A war of words is going on every day of your life. How you fight that war will determine whether you win or lose; it will determine whether you live in the blessing or the curse. It could even determine whether you live or die. God has supplied the ammunition to win- His Word! It has the power to win in every area.  There is life, healing, joy, victory, and blessing in the Word of God!

Confession: I have a spirit of faith. I believe therefore I speak. (2 Corinthians 4:13) I will win the war of words and experience the blessing of God in my life!

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VICTORY IN CHRIST

The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. (Psalm 119:130)

You are who God says you are; you can do what God says you can do; you can have what God says you can have! Mark Hankins

My dad and mom pastored a full gospel church in West Columbia, Texas for more than 50 years.  When my parents first moved to West Columbia, I was only a year old and my older brother, Mike, was four. Mom was sick and mentally tormented for two years. Dad not only pastored the church, but also had the pressure of all the family responsibilities. Dad began to have heart trouble. The church was small and struggling, and we were poor.

However, in the middle of this struggle a man gave my dad some books on the authority of the believer, the integrity of God’s Word, and who you are in Christ.  Dad began to read and study the material and gained a new understanding of God’s Word. Dad began to speak the Word to Mom and had her repeat it after him. She began to say, “I am who God says I am. I have what God says I have. I can do what God says I can do!” As my parents saw who they were in Christ and spoke the Word, faith arose in their hearts. They knew that victory belonged to them in every area of their lives.

Confession: Now thanks be unto God, which always cause thus to triumph in Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:14)

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