Living By Faith

SHOUT FOR THE VICTORY

Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6)

No man can doubt when he learns to shout! Smith Wigglesworth

The spirit of faith will often cause a person to look as foolish as Naaman did, when the prophet Elisha told him to dip seven times in the muddy Jordan River (II Kings 5:14).  What God required of Naaman for his healing from leprosy was not difficult, but it seemed too foolish. Naaman’s reasoning almost made him miss his miracle. He finally acted on the prophet’s word and was totally healed!

“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.” (I Corinthians 1:27)

In Romans 4:17, we read of Abraham:  “I have made thee a father of many nations, before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.”  Smith Wigglesworth said, “You must learn to take the victory and shout in the face of the devil, ‘It is done!’”

Confession:  I will shout, “It is done!” in the face of the devil and take my victory. It is not by my might, but by the Spirit of God that I will see my miracle come to pass.

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SHOUTING, DANCING, AND RUNNING

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God… every one’s bands (chains) were loosed. (Acts 16:25-26))

When the glory of God manifests, it brings the supernatural power of God! Mark Hankins

The spirit of faith will cause you to shout while the walls are still standing, like God’s people did at Jericho before the walls came down (Joshua 6:20). The spirit of faith will cause you to dance like David did when the Ark of the Covenant was returned to Jerusalem and the glory returned (II Samuel 6:14-15). The spirit of faith may cause you to run like Elijah did when the hand of the Lord came upon him (I Kings 18:46). The rain he had prayed and contended for was coming, and he outran the king’s chariot. The spirit of faith will cause you to sing and praise God loudly, as Paul and Silas did at midnight when they were imprisoned in chains! (Acts16:25).

All of these demonstrations of the power of God were connected to the expressions of faith made by God’s people! God watches as we demonstrate faith and act on the Word!

Confession:I lift my voice with a shout of victory! My faith acts on the Word of God! I will rejoice in the Lord always! (Philippians 4:4)

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FAITH AIN’T PRETTY

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart. (Jeremiah 15:16)

Hello, neighbor! Faith ain’t pretty, but everyone needs faith! Mark Hankins

A local tire store advertises in the newspaper and on television with this ad:  “Hello, neighbor! Tires ain’t pretty, but everyone needs tires, so you might as well get them from us at the best price.” That TV ad caught my attention. Sometime later I was in a radical church service where people were laughing, rejoicing, shouting, and praising God. Some were even leaping for joy, running, and dancing!  During all of this, the Lord spoke to me in this way: “Hello, neighbor! Faith ain’t pretty, but everyone needs faith! So get your faith from God and learn how to release your faith and respond to the Word and to the power of God.”

Sometimes you have to get “ugly” for Jesus. You must act like the Bible is true if you want the anointing and the power of God! Rejoice in the face of adversity! The spirit of faith will cause you to see the victorious end of the challenge you are facing!

Confession:  I rejoice in the face of adversity! I am not ashamedtoget “ugly” for Jesus! I rejoice at thy word as one that findeth great spoil! (Psalm 119:162)

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GOD PERFORMS THINGS FOR YOU

For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him. (Job 23:14)

The champion enters the ring with a different attitude than the challenger. Mark Hankins

Theologians tell us that the trials we read about in Job lasted less than a year. Job had a bad year, but when you read the last chapter, you find that the Lord gave him twice as much as he had before! Job had some challenges, but he came out the champion!

The Lord said it to me this way: “You will have challenges in life, but you are not the challenger; you are the champion.” The challenger is trying to get something. The champion, on the other hand, says, “I’ve got something.” Every champion faces challengers who try to steal their victory. Satan is the god of this world who does nothing but lie, destroy, and steal. He’s a challenger, but a defeated one!

Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation [difficulty]: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) You aren’t exempt from challenges. However once you know who you are in Christ, and understand that Christ is in you, you will always overcome. Satan may cause some issues, but like Job, you can smile and say, “God performs things for me!”

Confession:I have the attitude of a champion! In every challenge, I am an overcomer because Christ overcame the world and He dwells In me!  (John 16:33)

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CONFESSION PRECEDES POSSESSION

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised.) (Hebrews 10:23)

Confession builds the road over which faith carries its mighty cargo. E.W. Kenyon

What comes out of your mouth will make the difference between winning and losing the fight of faith! The good faith fight requires a good profession or confession. The winning strategy is to say what you believe instead of what you feel. Speak the Word of God regardless of how intense the fight becomes! You will possess your inheritance by declaring it with your mouth! It is easier to say what you feel or to talk about how bad things appear to be, but your faith will never rise above your confession.

When you say what God says in His Word, you are building a strong road over which heaven’s cargo can be carried and delivered to you! The devil will put roadblocks, mountains, difficulties, and hindrances in your way. He will try to tell you that God is not faithful and that the Word won’t work. 

If you’ve been wondering why only a few blessings have made their way to your house, perhaps your words have created too narrow of a path. Change your confession to words of faith and construct a wide, clear road for the blessings of God! Confession always precedes possession!

Confession: This is a good fight! I will hold fast my profession of faith without wavering, for He is faithful that promised. (Hebrews 10:23)

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