Lessons from Joshua
Recap
All of the teaching about government is preparing you to administer and manifest blueprints and mandates .The heavenly aspects are one half of the equation .Just as we need to do things in heaven to be governmental, we need to do things on earth as well.
Recap
Just because you get a blueprint and mandate in heaven does not mean it will automatically happen on earth .You are the key to it manifesting on earth .You have to administer it .You have to be governmental.
Manifesting & Administering
We talk about it a lot! To manifest – Verb: To show something clearly, through signs or actions .When something manifests it becomes clear and obvious .To whom does it need to be clear and obvious?
Manifesting & Administering
To administer – verb: someone administers something such as a country, the law, or a test, they take responsibility for organising and supervising it. For the avoidance of doubt – We have to DO the organising and supervising!
Manifesting & Administering
That is known as ruling! We rule from our heavenly thrones of authority .We have our mountains .We have mantles, robes, sceptres, orbs, swords, etc. But what about on earth?
What does Kingdom living look like?
One day I was asking God what His kingdom on earth would actually look like .We were exploring Joshua Generation, Ekklesia, Cities of Refuge, Embassies of Heaven, etc. I asked God what would it be like to live in His kingdom on earth, not just as a citizen, but as a King, ambassador, administrator, etc.
What does Kingdom living look like?
He began to show me what it would be like without earthly government operating.Whatever we think of the state it functions around us and we take it for granted .How would you replace it and with what? Your kingdom!
What does Kingdom living look like?
So often portrayed like a fairy tale – everything happens “by magic” .Beyond our control – unobtainable .We have to imagine the kingdom as “normal” .It requires a new paradigm.
What does Kingdom living look like?
Kingdom things need to be seen from an everyday living perspective .When the world’s systems fall, what will daily life look like? We will need to take our place as Sons and Kings, to understand our authority and our responsibility so we can function from our identity.
What did Joshua do?
We started looking at establishing Kingdom on earth, Cities of Refuge, Embassies of Heaven, the Joshua Generation .God asked me “What did Joshua do?” Spied out the Promised Land .Spent 40 years in the wilderness .Took over the mantle of leadership from Moses.
What did Joshua do?
Crossed over to the Promised Land, took Jericho, lots of other cities and destroyed all the “ites” .Settled the promised land, set up a system of federal government .What else? What did his day look like…?
The penny drops
In order to operate in a Kingdom way we have to see ourselves living day to day in the reality of the Kingdom.
Leading a Nation
A life is made up of moments .Joshua had a life, a day to day way of living and ruling .He had a blueprint: to establish a nation in the Promised Land.
Leading a Nation
He had a mandate – directly from God – take the land, kill the “ites”, set up government .He had authority – took over from Moses – he received a mantle .But with an estimated 2 million people – he had challenges!
Ruling – how hard can it be?
A priesthood and tabernacle – with all of the religious requirements .An army to equip, train and feed .A judicial system – public order, criminal and civil actions, justice to administer.
Ruling – how hard can it be?
Families – children to school, elderly to care for .Business and commerce – traders, artists, herdsmen, etc. .Millions of people and animals making a mess – latrines! .Administrators and officials – tribal leaders, decisions to make, politics to navigate.
Blueprint and Mandates are the start.
All those things were part of his blueprint .All the authority needed was included in his mandate .He had to keep God in the centre of everything or he could not succeed •Relationship is the foundation.
Joshua 1:5-9
5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Blueprint and Mandates are the start
But still there were conditions for success .Be strong and courageous (3x) .Be careful to do everything in accordance with the law .Do not turn from it to the right or the left .Meditate day and night.
I have a mandate – how hard can it be?
Every blueprint will address something God wants to bring under our dominion .We need to comprehend the practical nature of manifesting spiritual government into earthly government .But life gets in the way.
Dealing with Life and your Mandate
Distractions – family, work, children, pets, shopping, holidays, etc. People issues .Complaints .Criticisms .Obligations .Expectations.
Dealing with Life and your Mandate
Maintaining focus is not easy .God told Joshua 3 times to be courageous – which means it required some fortitude! .He had to know his destiny, identity and authority and maintain relationship with God – or he would not have succeeded.
Dealing with Life and your Mandate
There will be opposition – whenever God does something new it challenges what already exists (Mike Parsons) .You can tell the strength of a Word by the strength of the opposition (Mike Bryant).
Your blueprint
You must see yourself doing, living and being part of your blueprint .You must carry it in your heart, nurture it in your soul and be fired up in your spirit. Being governmental will require legislating, assigning, administering – every day! Your paradigm must be that this is normal.
Exciting Times!
We get to participate, not just observe – administer .We have to bring from heaven to earth – manifest .We need to operate in dual realms – and be proficient in both!
Developing Blueprints and ‘Earthing’ them out.
What is this session about?
An outline understanding of a written blueprint and some of its benefits .Some things to be aware of .Made a start on developing your blueprint .Identified some further actions for developing your blueprint within your organization.
Proceed with care…
A cautionary note
There are challenges that come with outworking heavenly blueprints in a less than perfect world .Point to note: Most projects fail because of these common factors – .No clearly agreed definition of what the “thing” is and isn’t – avoid mission creep!
A cautionary note
Set out a constitution or governance arrangements .Agree who has authority and responsibility – avoid mutiny or hostile takeovers! Understand and mitigate the risks and liabilities inherent in any project .Understand the law, safeguarding, policies and procedures, financial management, compliance, HR, lack of skills or experience.
A cautionary note
Failure to understand the environment you are operating in – opposition spiritually and earthly (competition, statutory agencies, other churches, charities, public, etc.) .Underestimating how much work it will be – admin, HR, finances, compliance, marketing and communications, operational delivery .
A cautionary note
A that’ll do approach – bare minimum, least effort, poor quality .Naivety – relying on God’s grace to cover our backs – as soon as you become aware, you become responsible. Abdication is not ruling!