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THE HOPE OF MANKIND

For the love of Christ constraineth us, because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead. (2 Corinthians 5:14)

When you see what God has done for you in Christ, the reality of redemption will swallow up your old identity. Mark Hankins

How could Jesus Christ, one man, die on the cross and His death be for every man?  It is simply a law of identification. We were all identified with one man, Adam, and affected by him. God simply took the same law that allowed one man to mess up everyone, and allowed one man, Jesus Christ, to die for everyone.

There is no hope for man outside of the blood of Jesus and His death, burial, and resurrection. A person has to be born again if he is going to get out of Adam. This changes your identity. No longer can you identify with defeat because you are identified with the triumph of Christ. No longer can you identify with failure, sickness, and bondage because you are identified with Christ. His victory is your victory! His life is your life! His blessing is your blessing! Everything that God put in Him now comes into you. You were identified with Adam before, but you are not in Adam now – you are in Christ!

Confession: I am born again! The blood of Jesus and the power of the Gospel has changed my life! I identify with the triumph and blessing of Christ!

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HONORING SUPERNATURAL RELATIONSHIPS

Now Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses laid his hands upon him. (Deuteronomy 34:9 NKJV)

The spirit of wisdom and revelation is accessed by the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, and supernatural relationships. Mark Hankins

In Deuteronomy 34:10, God said, “ I have talked to Moses face-to-face.” Moses knew God. Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. Joshua wasn’t looking for an increase in intellectual knowledge about God. He was looking for a more intimate personal experience with God through the spirit of wisdom and revelation.

The Bible says in Ephesians 4:11 that when Jesus ascended upon high, He gave gifts unto men. This refers to people through whom God’s anointing and revelation flow to the Body of Christ to reveal Jesus. These gifts may not always be the kinds of gifts we want to receive from; but whenever Jesus is in revelation, the devil is on the run. We need to embrace the supernatural relationships God gives us so that we can receive all of the revelation He desires to impart to us in our lives!

Confession:  I honor Jesus as head of the church. I value His body and receive from the supernatural relationships He has brought into my life.

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WATER, WATER, WATER

…with the washing of the water by the word. (Ephesians 5:26)

Repetition of the watering process is essential for seeds to grow. Mark Hankins

Years ago, my family and I moved into a “new-to- us” home. I brought in a lot of dirt in order to change the landscaping. I then needed to plant some grass. So, I bought a little bag of centipede grass. I got the ground ready and placed those little tiny seeds in the dirt just right. The instructions said, “You must water the seeds everyday.” So, every day, morning, and evening, I watered that seed.

Four weeks went by and nothing happened! I went back and read the instructions:  “Don’t expect quick results. Don’t expect anything the first four weeks… after eight weeks, little, tiny centipede grass will start to sprout, but you may need a magnifying glass to see it… Be patient.” So four more weeks — water, water, water! Finally, I saw a little bitty centipede grass.  After another three months, I could finally see the grass while standing up!

Today, the whole yard is covered with beautiful centipede grass. The planting process was important, but the instructions on the watering process were actually more important!

Confession: But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (James 1:4)

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PIONEERS IN THE GOSPEL

Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:18-19)

It takes faith to forsake, follow, and forget! Mark Hankins

The spirit of faith is not afraid to leave things behind. It can be difficult to lay aside treasured items and traditional ways of thinking, but the rewards of obeying God should keep you moving forward. 

Hebrews 11:27 says that by faith, Moses forsook Egypt. Abraham forsook Ur of the Chaldees to go to Canaan. (Genesis 11:31-12:9) Peter, James, and John forsook their boats and followed Jesus. (Mark 1:17-18)

God is always looking for pioneers — people who will not settle for less than God’s best. The spirit of faith will keep them moving, and those pioneers will keep expecting miracles.

Confession: I will forget those things which are behind, and reach forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus! (Philippians 3:13-14)

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GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE

The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord. (Proverbs 20:27)

The fire of God moves you from your comfort zone into greater possibilities and accomplishments. Mark Hankins

Many people don’t follow God because they fear the unknown, but faith is obeying God even amidst the unknown. Abraham obeyed God without knowing where he was going. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. (Hebrews 11:8) Faith obeys even when you don’t have all of the information! When God lights your spirit, you will do things that you never thought you could do!

The spirit of faith is more than a formula; it is a fire in the spirit of man! The revelation of the Word of God will set your spirit aflame! God is a consuming fire, and when His Word burns in your heart, it will allow you to overcome every situation in life!

Confession: Revelation of the Word of God sets my spirit on fire! I am moving out of my comfort zone. I will trust in the Lord with all of my heart and lean not unto my own understanding. In all of my ways I shall acknowledge Him, and He shall direct my paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

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