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REJOICING: A FORM OF HUMILITY

God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. (James 4:6)

Rejoicing is a form of humility.

Mark Hankins

In 2 Samuel 6, the Ark of the Covenant was coming into Jerusalem. The Bible says when the ark came into the city King David danced before the Lord with all of his might. The scripture says he threw off his royal robe and danced in his under clothes because of the glory that was coming back! David loved to be in the presence of God!

After he had danced before the Lord, David fed the entire nation. When he went to bless his household, his wife told him that he looked like a fool. She despised him in her heart because of his response to the presence of God. David responded to her by saying, “I will yet be more vile than this. I will humble myself in the sight of the people, and I will lower myself in my own sight.” (2 Samuel 6:22)

David’s rejoicing was a form of humility. If you are more concerned with what people think about you than what God thinks about you, you will never walk in victory. Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up!

Confession: I will rejoice in the Lord and humble myself before Him because He resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

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SACRIFICES OF JOY

And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore, will I offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord. (Psalm 27:6)

Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up!

Mark Hankins

David said, “I get in the presence of God, and I offer Him sacrifices of joy.”  What would that look like? In other translations it says, “sacrifices of shouting.” Can you imagine David getting in the presence of God?

I remember one time as I was leaving my place of prayer, the Holy Ghost said, “You’re not going to dance? The Father likes it when you dance.”  So there I was trying to be spiritual and dignified, and God wanted me to dance. I began to dance and said, “Hallelujah, hallelujah, can’t nobody do me like Jesus, ha, ha, ha!”  Suddenly, the Holy Ghost came on me. I thought, “He does like that! I believe I will do that again!” One of the greatest things it did was to crucify my flesh because my flesh did not want to act like that.

Confession: I will offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy–sacrifices of shouting! I will dance and sing praises to the Lord!

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NO MORE PARALYSIS

And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. (Luke 5:20)

God is always propelling us forward.
Mark Hankins

In Isaiah 43:25-26, God’s promise says that He blots out our transgressions and will not remember our sins. This promise of forgiveness and faith in His Word opens the door to God’s goodness.

The story of the man with four crazy friends in Luke 5:17-26 is one of my favorites. “When Jesus saw their faith,” He told the man with paralysis, “Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.” Jesus spoke to that man’s deepest need. If Jesus calls you forgiven, you are totally forgiven and released from the condition and consequences of sin. You are redeemed.

Jesus then told the paralyzed man to “Arise!” The man got up totally healed of all paralysis. This miracle caused the religious leaders much trouble. The rules and regulations of religion have paralyzed many people. However, when you get in the presence of Jesus, forgiveness and restoration are freely given. What a wonderful Jesus we have who forgives and heals!

Confession: I am redeemed! Isaiah 43:26 says to put God in remembrance of His Word. This promise of forgiveness and faith in His Word opens the door to His goodness in my life!

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FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:26)

Faith will not move anything until it moves you. The first part of you that your faith will move is your mouth!
Mark Hankins

In my psychology class, we learned that reasoning will not change an emotion, but action will. In other words, you can’t feel your way into better behavior, but you can behave your way into better feelings. God created us so that actions are stronger than feelings. Faith is an act. By faith we access the grace of God. Just a little bit of faith can access a whole lot of grace.

God has already done everything He is going to do about our salvation, our healing, our deliverance, and our blessing. Jesus paid it all and then sat down. Now it is our move — we have to know what He’s done for us and act in faith on the Word of God.

Many churches are full of nouns, adjectives, pronouns, and prepositions but God is looking for verbs. He is looking for people who will believe and will act in faith.

Confession: Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe all things are possible to him that believeth. (Mark 9:23)

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THE HOLY GHOST IS A GENIUS

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
(Romans 8:14)

The Holy Spirit knows the mind of God and everything that Jesus
has purchased for us.
Mark Hankins

When the enemy has a scheme or strategy to come against you or your family, the Holy Spirit will warn you. He knows what God has planned for you. He is concerned with every area of your life. If you will listen to Him, He will make you successful.

It is great to have a genius living in you. Until you stop and recognize the Holy Ghost, He will allow you to keep doing what you are doing. You must stop and say, “Alright, what would the Genius like to say?”

I heard Dad Hagin say that the Lord told him, “If we would be led by the Holy Spirit, He would make us rich.” He said the word rich means to have an abundant supply. When the Holy Spirit leads us, He will bring us into the blessing of the Lord and we will be a blessing to others.

Confession: I hear and obey the voice of the Holy Spirit. I recognize His leading and I will follow. I have an abundant supply. I am blessed to be a blessing to others!

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