Living By Faith

EXCEEDING JOY USHERS IN THE GLORY OF GOD

Yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. (1 Peter 1:8)

Believing is always accompanied by joy. Mark Hankins

Rejoicing activates faith; joy accompanies believing. In 1Peter1:8, the Apostle Peter speaks of some wild, ecstatic, triumphant, heavenly joy, not someday when we get to heaven, but right now! The Amplified Bible says, “You believe in Him and exult and thrill with inexpressible and glorious (triumphant, heavenly) joy.”

Unspeakable joy is a container of the glory of God. The glory and the abundance of God are manifested in an atmosphere of rejoicing. We are commanded to rejoice; it is not an option! God brought us here to have fun — now we are going to have fun!  God brought us here to have victory — now we are going to have victory! 

Confession:  I rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. I have victory! The glory and the abundance of God are manifesting in my life today!

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GOD’S GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM

For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. (1 Corinthians 16:9)

The devil is not trying to stop just you; he is after the eggs you are carrying. Mark Hankins

The salmon is known as a fish with a fighting spirit. They challenge the strong current, rapids, rocks, and even bears to reach their destination. God put a remarkable Global Positioning System in salmon that enables them to travel as far as 2,000 miles to locate the exact stream where they were born. They go up that particular stream, lay their eggs, and fertilize them. There are also bears in the streams trying to catch the salmon and end their journey. The bears are actually after the salmon for their eggs because they like to eat the eggs more than the fish.

The remarkable story of the salmon is similar to the life of faith and the fight of faith. God has an exact destiny for you. When we finish the course God has designed for us and lay the eggs He has given us; our lives are multiplied a million times and reach the next generation!

Confession: God can get me in the right place, at the right time, with the right people! I have a spirit of faith to overcome any adversity that comes against me!

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GENETIC CONNECTION

Lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities… Behold your God! (Isaiah 40:9)

When you speak, there is an identical voice of faith. It sounds like the voice of God. Mark Hankins

A number of years ago I called my brother’s church. The secretary mistook my voice for his voice because we’re brothers and there is a genetic similarity. She immediately said, “PastorMike.”  When she said that, I thought I would take advantage of the situation and said, “You know, I really love my brother Mark a lot and would like to express my appreciation to him in a more tangible way. I want you to send my brother Mark a check for $10,000.”  The secretary got real quiet on the other end of the phone because she thought I was Mike. Then I said, “I’m just kidding, this is Mark.”

I realized my voice, because of the genetic connection, gave me access to his checking account. That’s why God says, “Lift up your voice and speak.” There is a genetic connection between you and Jesus Christ. There is authority, healing, deliverance, victory, and blessing in your voice.

Confession: I lift up my voice in faith and victory! Mountains have to move! I have authority, healing, deliverance, victory, and blessing in my voice!

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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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