HOW TO ACTUALLY ENJOY YOUR
BLESSINGS IN THE HEAVENLY REALMS

March 25, 2012
MF Blume

  Scripture Text:



Joshua 1:1-6 KJV   Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.


This reminds me of saying LAW is gone now, and there is a new covenant that takes you into the promised land that Moses’ law could not take you into.
·    (Do’s and Don’ts cannot take you into this place.)

Israel was free from Egypt and ready to enter Canaan.

They were ready forty years earlier, but it seemed the span of forty years in this issue was repeating itself again.
·    Moses was 40 and was intended to take Israel out of Egypt.
·    But he did not realize how he would successfully do that.
·    He was doing it his way initially and failed.
·    40 years had to elapse before that could be removed from him and he was not frustrating God's will in him any more by the clogging matter of self management.
·    Now, like Moses should have been ready to lead Israel, and 40 years had to elapse to correct his errors, Israel should have entered Canaan, but forty years had to elapse to correct them.
·    This is just like us.
·    A generation is forty years.
·    We have see an entire generation removed from our lives before God can use us.
·    We are actually put in place to be used by the work of God in salvation, but our thinking is so worldly that we do not allow ourselves to be used.
·    We want to be used, but our thinking is so off base that we ruin it and God cannot use us.
·    So removing that incorrect mindset is removing a "generation" from our lives.
·    THE OLD US.
·    THE OLD MAN.

(Joshua 1:3 KJV) Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.

There is something special about what the feet represent here that we must catch.

(Deuteronomy 11:24 KJV)  Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea shall your coast be.

God told the same thing to Israel that he did Joshua.

Where our feet treads, the land is ours.

Israel experienced death with the lamb in the Passover.

(Romans 6:3-7 KJV)  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.

That death frees us like it freed Israel from Egypt.

It actually prepared us for conquest, too.
·    Israel was ready for Canaan.
·    God brought them to the borders but they feared.

Not only did Moses face something empowering on holy ground after forty years, but after forty years Joshua was also on holy ground and faced an empowering angel.

(Exodus 3:3-5 KJV) And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

(Joshua 5:13-15 KJV) And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? And the captain of the Lord's host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

Crossing the flesh barrier.
·    Like entering the MOST HOLY PLACE by passing the veil!
·    Rending the fine twined linen of our fleshliness.

When your fleshliness is gone, the forty years has spiritually passed, you are on holy ground.
·    After forty years Moses' self management was gone.
·    After forty years the elders who doubted God were gone.
·    A generation is a SELF.
·    YOUR SELF LIFE is gone.
·    Moses saw a burning bush while Joshua saw an angel with drawn sword.
·    That marked the beginning of success.

God told Joshua to be strong and go in and possess the land.

Ephesians 6:10-13 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (11) Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

The book of Joshua parallels Ephesians so much.

Their promised land was full of blessings.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (Ephesians 1:3 KJV)

Notice where these blessings are, and compare "heavenly places" with the promised land.
·    Israel had all their blessings in the land of Canaan.
·    But they had an obstacle in that very place of blessings to overcome.

(Numbers 33:51-53 KJV)  Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye are passed over Jordan into the land of Canaan; Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places: And ye shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it.

When we think of our promised land as heavenly places, and apply the need Israel had to drive out the inhabitants of that land to our land of heavenly places, this next verse comes more alive than we thought.

(Ephesians 6:12 KJV) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

The NIV brings out how it is the same term in all these passages.

(Ephesians 1:3 NIVUK) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Eph 1: 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,

Eph. 2: 5  (NIV) that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.

(Ephesians 6:12 NIVUK) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.


The very heavenly realms that hold our blessings has inhabitants against which we must war, as Israel did in Canaan.

Just as Israel's exodus started with the blood of the lamb and their inclusion in that "death", Ephesians starts out talking like this:

(Ephesians 1:19-21 KJV)  And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,  Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

Christ died and was raised above all principality and power.

Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Christ is over the principalities that occupy our blessings in heavenly places.
·    And we were raised with him over these principalities.

(Ephesians 6:10-12 KJV)  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

The same terms in chapter 1 are found in chapter 2.
·    Heavenly places.
·    Principalities.
·    This remarkably parallels the conquest of Canaan in Joshua.
·    The heavenly places where our blessings are are also where principalities are, just like enemies dwelt in the promised land.

Life is patently different in the promised land.

(Deuteronomy 12:8-11 KJV)  Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes. For ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which the Lord your God giveth you. But when ye go over Jordan, and dwell in the land which the Lord your God giveth you to inherit, and when he giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety; Then there shall be a place which the Lord your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the Lord:

WE CANNOT SUCCEED against the forces of darkness if we do things in our own ways.

Moses' error was doing what was right in his eyes.
·    Not even thinking the lord might have a specific way to do things.
·    That is walking after the flesh.

Our lives in the heavenly places will not be lived the way we live before the generation of fleshliness is gone from us.

God compared doing what is right in our own eyes, even in sincerity, with having no king.

(Judges 17:6 KJV)  In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

(Judges 21:25 KJV) In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

God is not really LORD over us when we do what is right in our own eyes.
·    We learn to follow certain ways I which God works.
·    That is why we read in Romans 8 about a LAW of the Spirit of life in Jesus.
·    Laws are certain ways by which things work.
·    Paul taught a required understanding of how God works and what he requires of us in order to work through us.
·    We are a miracle, but unless we follow the qualifications God requires in order to work through us' we will not succeed.
·    We are in the position to succeed, but we need to be made aware of what hinders Him and what does not now that we are there.

Romans 8:1-2 KJV  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  (2)  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Notice the WORD “FOR” in verse 2.
·    We are told to walk after the Spirit not flesh, because the SPIRIT HAS A LAW TO IT that overcomes the law of sin and death.
·    Walking after the flesh causes us to not enjoy overcoming the law of sin and death.

The LAW Israel had to live by in order to enjoy the land represents the LAW OF THE SPIRIT we need to learn to live by in order to be able to go in and enjoy the land, or else we will simply not have the capability of entering in TO enjoy it.

Deuteronomy 6:1 KJV  Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:

We are not living by the LAW OF MOSES, but the Law of Moses simply represents a LAW we must learn.
·    The LAW of the Spirit of life IS A LAW.
·    As much as they had to learn a new law in order to live in the land and prosper, we have to learn to live by the law of the Spirit OR WE WILL BE DESTROYED.
·    It is a law of HIS WAY being discerned by you, and not going by YOUR thoughts and ways.

Joshua 1: (11) Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it.

Three days.
·    This is precisely the timeframe in which the gospel was fulfilled in Jesus for us by his death, burial and resurrection.
·    Getting the truths of what Paul taught about the death, burial and resurrection in our spirits is like enduring those three days, because it took three days for him to experience that.
·    So three days in the bible stands for however long it takes for you to get the revelation that God wants you to have about your death with Jesus, and your burial and resurrection.
·    It might take 2.5 years, or weeks, but when you get the revelation of what it took three days for Jesus to experience for you" it is spiritually as though you endured those three days finally.

It’s like saying WHEN YOU FINALLY UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF YOUR IDENTIFICATION WITH HIM IN HIS death, burial and resurrection, YOU PASSOVER!

Joshua was told to WALK on the ground.

 Joshua 1:3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

After teaching us that we are OVER every principality in heavenly places, we are told this:

Ephesians 4:1 KJV  I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

WALK OUT IN YOUR LIFE WHAT YOU NOW HAVE LEARNED about yourself.
·    LIVE LIKE IT IS TRUE now!

Now that you know the POWER of God that raised up Jesus and enthroned Him IS TOWARDS US…

Ephesians 1:17-20 KJV  That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:  (18)  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,  (19)  And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,  (20)  Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

…NOW,

 Ephesians 6:10 KJV  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

HIS MIGHTY POWER is the POWER OF HIS MIGHT.
·    And the MIGHTY POWER towards us is the same power wherewith He raised up Jesus from death and enthroned Him/
·    SO BE STRONG IN THAT POWER now!
·    It is TOWARDS US!

When we do what is right in our own eyes, it is doing things in our own power.
·    But we receive revelation in Eph 1 that there is a POWER TOWARDS us that is the same exact power by which God raised up Jesus from death and enthroned Him.
·    If that power raised Jesus from death, that would be enough!
·    But it is more!
·    He raised him and ENTHRONED HIM!
·    That would have been enough, too.
·    But still more!
·    He raised him up and enthroned Him OVER EVERY NAME THAT IS NAMED.
·    And because it says that POWER IS TOWARDS US, 2:5-6 says we are seated together with HIM IN HEAVENLY PLACES!
·    The same heavenly places where our blessings are and where there are inhabitants in the form of principalities.
·    But HE IS SEATED OVER THOSE PRINCIPALITIES in heavenly places and so are we!
·    Therefore, we need to look at those principalities and let them know THAT WE KNOW we are seated over them!

OUR FEET are important!

After we read to be strong in the power of HIS MIGHT – the same might that raised up Jesus from death and enthroned Him – we read:

Ephesians 6:11-13 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  (12)  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  (13)  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

STAND!

WALK in the power of His might and then STAND on your promises!

And if a scorpion or serpent happens to be on your promises when you STAND ON THEM…

Luke 10:19 KJV  Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.


Joshua 10:24 KJV  And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them.

The name “JOSHUA” is “JESUS” in Hebrew.

JESUS in His humanity was told to BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS.

Joshua 1:5-6 KJV  There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.  (6)  Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.

And JESUS TELLS US:

Joshua 10:25 KJV  And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.

OUR FEET ARE IMPORTANT.

Ephesians 6:14-15 KJV  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;  (15)  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

After telling us to STAND, he refers to our feet and says our FEET must be shod with the preparation of the Gospel.

In other words, once you UNDERSTAND the revelation of the GOSPEL, HIS DEATH\, BURIAL AND RESURRECTION, and how YOU are included in that, you are PREPARED IN SPIRIT TO WALK the walk AND make the STAND required to VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIVING!

David Huff wrote a Song ARE YOU GONNA STAND UP.
·    In it he wrote the words, “THE WORD OF GOD IS ALWAYS RIGHT, NOW WE FIGHT.”
·    “PUT YOUR FOOT UPON THE DEVIL, KICK HIM DOWN!”

1 John 2:6 KJV  He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

WALKING stands for LIVING.

Romans 6:4 KJV  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.