Mark Hankins Ministries

October 2017 - Confession Precedes Possession

CONFESSION PRECEDES POSSESSION

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10

Inasmuch then as we have a great High Priest Who has [already] ascended and passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith in Him]. Hebrews 4:14 (AMP)

Nothing will establish you and build your faith as quickly as the confession of who you are and what you have in Christ.  Confession precedes possession. Confession is the beginning of possession.  Confession is “owning up.”  Confess up! Jesus is the Apostle and High Priest of our confession.  He represents and responds to our words. He needs us to hold fast to our confession of faith in Him. He is waiting for us to say something that agrees with all He has done. He literally needs us to say something of faith that activates His work and power.

Your identification with Christ is activated by the identical confession of your mouth that “I am who God says I am.  I have what God says I have.  I can do what God says I can do.”  We must say the same thing that God says about us in Christ.  If you are not impressed with who you are in Christ, you simply have not seen Him lately.  He is glorified and all-powerful, and you are in Him. You must “own up” to it! 

The Greek word translated “profession” or “confession” in the New Testament means to say the same thing.  The power of positive confession means “to say the same thing” that the Word of God says about your situation. This is such a powerful truth because it is the way we are saved.

We are saved when we believe in our heart and confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord. Romans 10:9, 10 says, “…For with the heart we believe unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”  Confession is owning up to the lordship of Jesus and owning up to all that salvation includes.  Powerful words that come from the believer’s mouth recreate the human spirit and impart eternal life to a person.

F. F. Bosworth said, “A spiritual law that few recognize is that our confession rules us. It is what we confess with our lips that really dominates our inner being. Nothing will establish you and build your faith as quickly as confession. The confession of your lips that has grown out of faith in your heart will absolutely defeat the adversary in every combat. God can be no bigger in you than you confess Him to be.” I like that!

Sometimes people trying to be humble are just being ignorant. Yes, we should humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt us in due time.  However, there are things that are timely and things that are timeless.  There are things that require the right season, and there are things concerning your redemption that are “open season” all year.  God is always ready to save, heal, deliver, and bless.  Jesus has already passed through the heavens; He is now watching over and waiting for your confession.  It is now open season and all things are possible!

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession among many witnesses.  1 Timothy 6:12

The Holy Spirit said this through the Apostle Paul. The good fight of faith requires a good confession. The fight of faith is not a losing fight; it is a winning fight. The winning fight requires a winning confession. Jesus has fought the battle for us and won. Our identification with Him demands the identical confession of faith. We win by saying the same thing.

The spirit of faith declares the outcome in the middle of adversity. We hold fast to our confession. We can see the end from the beginning of trouble. We consider Jesus and fix our eyes and our confession on Him.

Own up to your victory in Christ Jesus.  Say, “Now thanks be unto God who always causeth us to triumph in Christ!”  (2 Corinthians 2:14).  Settle for nothing less than 100 percent victory.  It is yours now. Confess up!  Own up!  Fess up!  Admit it!  You are a new creature in Christ.  You are the righteousness of God in Him.  Say now, “In Christ, I am blessed.”

That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing that is in you in Christ Jesus.  Philemon 6

…full recognition and appreciation and understanding and precise knowledge of every good thing that is ours in (our identification with) Christ Jesus.  Amplified

For our faith to become fully effective, we must continually acknowledge every good thing that is in us in Christ.  Sometimes our faith is like an automobile engine that has eight cylinders, but is only working on five or six. There is much more power available when we are working on all eight cylinders.  Sometimes we are putting along—choking—because we are not acknowledging every good thing in us in Christ.

There is a wealth of good things in you in Christ.  They are not just in Christ; they are in you because you are in Christ.  More than 130 scriptures in the New Testament use the phrase, “in Christ,” “in Him,” and “in Whom.”  Every time you see those two words, underline them and say, “That’s who I am and that’s what I have.”  2 Corinthians 5:17, 2 Corinthians 5:21, and 1 Corinthians 1:30 are a good start!

FITTED TO YOUR LIPS

For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. That thy trust may be in the Lord….  Proverbs 22:18, 19

The Word of God is custom fitted for your lips. The Word of God was made to be spoken. Confession is fundamental to faith. E. W. Kenyon said, “Your confession builds the road over which faith carries its mighty cargo.” The Amplified Bible translates Proverbs 22:18 this way: “For it will be pleasant if you keep them in your mind [believing them]; your lips will be accustomed to [confessing] them.”  Your lips should be accustomed to confessing the Word of God.  The Word is custom or tailor made for your mouth and your situation.

The Word of God was spoken before it was written and it was written so it could be spoken. Jesus is the Apostle and High Priest of your confession. “Whosoever shall say…he shall have whatsoever he saith…” (Mark 11:23).

Jesus is literally waiting for you to confess.  As we saw, the word “confess” literally means to say the same thing.  In other words, He has already said something about you, but He needs you to say the same thing.  Will you say the same thing?

Every benefit and blessing that is in us in Christ must be acknowledged and declared.  For salvation to work for you, it must be in your mouth.  For prosperity to work for you, it must be in your mouth. Say, “I am blessed coming in and going out. I am the head and not the tail, above and not beneath” (Galatians 3:13; Deuteronomy 28). For healing to work for you, it must be in your mouth. Say, “…by his stripes I am healed” (1 Peter 2:24). The Word will heal you if you will continually confess it.  Say what God says about you.  There is healing and prosperity in the Word.

AN EXPLOSION OF POWER

And they overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony…. Revelation 12:11

The tremendous power in the blood of Jesus is activated by adding your testimony to it. Your confession, testimony, and declaration of the blood of Jesus put the devil on the run. Satan, the accuser of the brethren, is constantly accusing us. The blood of Jesus when mixed with faith always overcomes the enemy.  Romans 3:25 says, “…through faith in His blood.”

Mixing faith with the blood of Jesus is like mixing nitro with glycerin. There is always an explosion of power!  Our lips should be accustomed to confessing the power of the blood of Jesus and all that has been purchased for us in Him!

Make a personal daily list of scriptures that acknowledge who you are, what you have, and what you can do because you are in Christ.  Own up to what God has made you in Christ.  God is always right, and confession is agreeing with God and His Word. Every time you speak the Word, agree saying, “I agree with God.”  Say it now: “Christ hath redeemed me from the curse of the law. I am redeemed.”  Say it to yourself quietly when you can. Talk to yourself. Say it out loud when it’s appropriate. Then repeat it over and over again. There is a fight to faith but it’s a good fight because it’s one you win.

Next, say it until your whole being swings into harmony and into line with the Word of God. In other words, say it until your spirit starts lining up with the words you speak.  Let the words you speak register on your heart and on your mind.  You start seeing yourself healed and blessed.  As you hold fast to your confession of faith, you will find that your faith will advance and be more effective. Confess up!  Never run at your giant with your mouth shut!

The Word spoken TO us must be spoken THROUGH us. (Acts 27:25)

FAITH FOOD

This month we would like to offer you the book, Never Run at Your Giant with Your Mouth Shut.  We also have a brand new DVD and CD series, How to Be a First Responder.  We believe these resources will stir up your faith and cause you to speak to the giants in your life and win many victories.  For your offering of $35 or more we will send you these materials. 

WORLD MISSIONS PARTNERS

We are so thankful for your faithful world missions partnership with us.  As this letter is being printed, we are currently ministering in Australia and Papua New Guinea.  In both places we are ministering to pastors and key leaders who have churches and ministries in far reaching places in both of these countries.  Because of this, the impact of the ministry doesn’t stop once the conference is over but continues to reach many more believers.  The Lord spoke this to us at the beginning of the year.  “When you bless a pastor – you bless a church.  When you bless a church – you bless a city.  When you bless a city – you bless a nation!”  Together we are reaching many people, many cities, and many nations with the life changing power of the Gospel! 

Thank you for your partnership and we declare that, “Our God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus!” 

In Christ,
Mark and Trina Hankins

May 2017 - My Momma Runs!

MY MOMMA RUNS

My dad and mom pastored a full gospel church in West Columbia, Texas for more than 50 years. The Christian Center has grown to be the largest church in West Columbia and the largest Full Gospel church in the area.  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 the first two years in West Columbia. Dad not only pastored the church, but also had the pressure of all the family responsibilities.  Dad began to have heart trouble.  During this same time, while playing outside with Mike, I stuck my thumb into a bicycle chain and cut off my thumb.  I don’t remember ever having two thumbs.  The church was small and struggling, and we were poor.  It was a tough time for us.

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.

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

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 life.

IT’S NOT NECESSARY, UNLESS IT’S NECESSARY

As I grew up in church, there were some unusual services. Sometimes while we sang, Mom would begin to praise God rather exuberantly and shout, “Hallelujah!  Hallelujah!  Hallelujah!” With glory and joy on her countenance, she would shout “Wooooo” and run around the church!  Dad was a little more dignified.  After Mom ran, Dad would say, “Now, some of you don’t think that is necessary.  It’s not necessary, unless it’s necessary.”  While the congregation tried to figure out what Dad had said, Mom and others who had joined her would finish their rejoicing.

He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, and out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.  And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God...                                           Psalm 40:2-3

I did not understand the magnitude of my mother’s deliverance, until I was seventeen and running from God.  I had an automobile accident coming home from a party with a backslidden friend that totaled several cars.  We walked away without a scratch.  My backslidden friend said, “If your mom wasn’t praying, we would have been killed.”  I agreed. 

SATAN HATH DESIRED TO HAVE YOU

When I got home, Mom was sitting in a rocking chair.  She spoke the words that Jesus spoke to Peter, “...Satan hath desired to have you, that he might sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren,” Luke 22:31,32.

Although good changes had begun in my life, not long after the automobile accident, three friends and I ended up in the county jail.  I called Mom from the jail and she said, “Your dad has church tonight (it was a Wednesday night), so just prop your feet up and stay a while.”  Dad and four deacons came to jail after church and put up bond for me so I could go home.  After that incident, I sold my ‘55 Chevrolet and that sobered me up for a while.

ARRESTED BY GOD

One Sunday God had a surprise for me.  I was sitting on the back row cutting up and God “arrested” me.  An unannounced guest speaker, F.E. Ward, came to church that Sunday.  Brother Ward was a big, stocky preacher. You never knew when he was going to show up, and that Sunday I was not prepared for what was about to happen. 

I was sitting on the back row with my backslidden friends when Brother Ward went to the platform and said he felt led to do something.  He pointed to the back and said, “I want the pastor’s son to come to the front.”  I was shocked!  My friends made a comment, “You’re a dead duck now.”  As I got up and headed down the aisle, I began to repent under my breath: “O God, forgive me of my sins.  Please don’t tell that preacher what I’ve been doing.  If You tell him and he tells everybody, my dad will kill me.”

All the blood drained from my face, I was afraid and embarrassed as I stood in front of the whole church.  I was only seventeen, but I thought my life had come to an end.  Instead, I heard the voice of F.E. Ward say, “Sit down on the altar.”  As I sat down, he began to speak to me under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  As he spoke to me about God’s plan and purpose for my life, the presence and love of God overwhelmed me, and I began to cry.  I surrendered my life to Jesus again, and my heart was changed by the love of God.  I AM A LIVING TESTIMONY THAT THE LOVE OF GOD IS THE GREATEST FORCE ON EARTH.

I AM WHO GOD SAYS I AM

Dad’s preaching and Mom’s praying and running around the church began to make sense to me.  I started studying the scriptures that showed me my redemption in Christ. I began to daily meditate on who I was in Christ.  I would say, “I am who God says I am.  I have what God says I have.  I can do what God says I can do.” The power of God’s Word started a work in me, and I began to understand my identification with Christ.

My Mom still ran around the church up until she went to Heaven a few years back.  The church was much bigger in her later years and there were a lot more educated and prosperous people in the congregation.  She didn’t care she would say, “Hallelujah!  Hallelujah!  Hallelujah!”  She would shout “Woooooo” and run around the church.  The only difference is I would shout and run with her.

TRIUMPHANT PARTNERSHIP

2017 is a year of triumphant expansion for the Church!   Second Corinthians 2:14 in the Conybeare's translation says, “Thanks be to God who leads me on from place to place in the train of his triumph, to celebrate his victory over the enemies of Christ.”   Through the power of partnership, a great impact for the spread of this message is being made.   Your continued prayer and financial partnership is making this message and resources available to more people than ever before.  We will send this power-packed gift to you for only $30:  Faith Laughs at Impossibilities (4CDs), The Good Fight of Faith (4CD’s), The Voice of Faith (3CDs), and The Secret Power of Joy book.  It will supercharge your faith.  We are standing with you, declaring blessing and increase in your life as you celebrate Christ's victory everywhere you go!

In Christ,
Mark and Trina