Living From Heaven

Philippians 3:20 -- For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul spoke not about going to heaven someday, but about living as citizens of heaven today....specifically "from" heaven toward earth.

We have the privilege of representing heaven "in this world" so that we might bring a manifestation of heaven "to this world".

Matthew 6:10 -- Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

         Into Action

How are you bringing Heaven to this world today?


What can you do to be more effective?

Spirit Power

Philippians 1:28 -- Don't be afraid of your enemies; always be courageous, and this will prove to them that they will lose, and that you will win because it is God who gives you the victory.

Peace is spirit power.
Your peace, your immovable stand upon the word of God is a sign that you are positioned correctly in perfect submission to the will of God.

The very fact that you are not frightened by your adversary is a sign that you have authority over him.

Ephesians 2:14 -- For He Himself is our peace......

2 Thessalonians 3:16 -- May the Lord himself, who is our source of peace, give you peace at all times and in every way.

            Into Action

How are you developing "spirit power" in your life today?

What is the biggest enemy in your life today?

The Substance Of Things Hoped For

Hebrews 11:1 -- Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.

As a deed enables me to lay claim to property that belongs to me, so my faith enables me to lay claim to God's promises that belong to me.

             Observation

If I build my faith -- my title deed -- on God's word, it won't matter if the devil hits my body, attacks my finances, or tries to steal my peace.  I can kick him off my property because my faith will be the proof of ownership I need.

Nothing can stand in my way!
I build my house of faith and move in!

            Into Action

What are you having faith for God to accomplish in your life today?

Write out 2 scriptures that will be giving you the required revelation to bring this to pass.

Grabbing Hold Of The Reality

Hebrews 4:12 -- For the word of God is living and powerful............

For one who has faith in the word of God, there is nothing impossible.  There are no impossibilities when there is faith....and there are no exceptions.....

             Observation

My faith in God's word is not just an abiding faith;  it is active -- it is aggressive by nature.
It has focus and purpose.
Faith grabs hold of the reality of the Kingdom and forcefully and violently brings it into a collision with this natural one.
An inferior kingdom cannot stand.

Matthew 11:12 -- And from the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

Romans 10:17 -- So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

            Into Action

What vision has God put into your heart?


How are you violently applying your faith?

Speaking From Your Spirit

2 Corinthians 4:13 -- We have the same spirit of faith as he (the psalmist) who wrote, 'I have believed and therefore have spoken.'  We too believe, and therefore we speak.

To speak by faith is simply to speak words that agree with the word of God instead of the circumstances around you.... It's speaking from your spirit instead of from your mind.

The Bible tells us that God uses words to "call those things which be not as though they were" (Romans 4:17).

           Affirmations

I speak the end result of what God's word tells me about my situation as opposed to the way it appears to the senses.

I stop "telling it like it is" and start speaking and believing the promises of God.

I put the power of God's word to work for me.

Proverbs 18:21 -- Death and life are in the power of the tongue:  and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

            Into Action

Name two things in your life that you are believing God for that you cannot do yourself.

The Mind Of Christ

1 Corinthians 2:16 -- For who has know or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge?  But we have the mind of Christ, the Messiah, and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart. (AMP)

First Corinthians 6:17 says that when you were joined to the Lord you became one spirit with Him.  He came into union with you so that He can talk to your heart to heart -- His thoughs become your actions.

He wants you to walk so closely with Him that you never lack power to overcome the evil of this world, and feel His heart of compassion toward those that are hurting or afflicted  with sickness and pain.  He wants to be one with you, so He can reach out through your hands and fulfill His purposes in the earth.

                Affirmations

I make a fresh commitment to walk in union with God.

I give my attention to His Spirt in my inner man.

I determine to yield to His voice and not the voices of the world or the flesh (senses)!

              Into Action

What are you doing today to grow towards union with God?

They Shall Be Filled

1 Corinthians 15:4,6 -- And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures.  After that, He was seen of above five hundred brethern at once.

Before you can receive the fire of the Spirit, you must want it.  Perhaps that is why only 120 appeared out of 500 brethern in the upper room.


             Into Action

Name 3 things that you do daily to pursue the action of the Holy Spirit in your life.

Paying The Price

Psalm 42:1 --   As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

We neglect to pay the price for the presence of God and wind up wandering around in a wilderness of our own making, being pursued by Satan.

Everything begins with total abandonment, total surrender and total hunger for the living Christ -- not the things He gives or imparts, but Christ and Christ alone.

Psalm 63:1 -- O God You are my  God; early will I see You;  my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.

Jeremiah 29:13,14 -- And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart.  And I will be found of you says the Lord.

            Into Action

Write out, memorize and meditate on a verse in each of the following Psalms that will bring you closer to the presence of God:
Psalm 4
Psalm 27
Psalm 30

Fire Of Glory

1 John 4:17 -- As He is, so are in in this world.

At the Azuza street revival, the fire department was called to extinguish a blaze, only to discover that the people inside were worshiping Jesus.  Water couldn't put it out as it was not a natural fire.

If the Father filled the old testament houses with His glory, though they were built by human hands, how much more will He fill the place that He builds with His own hands!  He is building us into His eternal dwelling place.

            Question to Ask Myself

What am I doing to release the presence of God in my life?

Write 2 scriptures out of the book of Psalms that will put me in the presence of God.

Reality Of God's Life

John 17:16,17 -- They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Life, as we perceive it, is based upon whatever network of thoughts and opinions we are currently allowing to govern our souls

On the Other Hand, God defines reality as the "truth" found in His word.

For us to travel from our world into the reality of God, we must view Jesus' words as doors through which we enter God's eternal kingdom

In the combined meaning of all Jesus taught, we find the reality of the Kingdom of God. Victory comes when we line ourselves up to the Reality of God's life.


 What aspect of my life is in need of the Christ Truth?

List 2 scriptures that will supply me with the revelation I need.　Question to Ask Myself

Tearing Down Strongholds

2 Corinthians 10:4 -- For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.

A stronghold is a satanic force that starts as a thought, then lays its foundation in a person's mind, builds itself up and makes its abode there.

You can't simply cast down a stronghold as you would cast down an evil thought or imagination.  You need the word of God to become like a hammer in your life in order to tear down that stronghold and get it out of your system.

Hebrews 4:12 -- For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword.........

Proverbs 4:17 -- My son, attend to my words........

Proverbs 18:10 -- The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous run to it and are safe.

        Questions to Ask Myself

How can you get rid of a stronghold?  By having a strong tower!

What stronghold in my life needs to be demolished?

What word or words of God am I going to use for my strong tower?

What Do You Mean, 'If You Can'?

Mark 9:23 -- "What do you mean, 'If you can'?  said Jesus.  "Everything is possible for him who believes.

Faith is having a knowing on the inside.  Faith knows you are healed even when you don't feel it yet.

Faith knows you're safe even when tragedy happens nearby.  Faith knows you have peace even when everyone around you is afraid. 

Faith doesn't deny the circumstances.  Faith Believes in the Higher Truth of God's word in spite of the circumstances.

Mark 4:39 -- He said to them, "Why are you afraid?  Have you still no faith?"

          Into Action

List 3 times in your life that you could have (or did) apply faith to.

A New Thing Shall Spring Forth

Isaiah 43:18,19 - Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing: now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
          Affirmation
 I AM BELIEVING FOR GOD TO DO A NEW THING IN MY LIFE.Jude 3 - Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.


　Hosea 4:6 - My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou has forgotton the law of the God, I will also forget they children.

THIS INFERS THAT IF GOD'S PEOPLE HAD KNOWLEDGE OF WHO THEY REALLY ARE IN CHRIST, OF WHO GOD IS, AND OF THE RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF THEIR DOMINION - THEY WOULDN'T BE DESTROYED. CONTEND MEANS TO FIGHT OR WAGE BATTLE. THERE IS CONSTANT OPPOSITION AND RESISTANCE TO MY PURSUIT OF GOD IN BOTH THE NATURAL AND SPIRITUAL REALMS!

Insensitivity To Spiritual Hearing

Hebrews 5:11 -- Concerning this we have much to say which is hard to explain, since you have become dull in your (spiritual) hearing and sluggisn (even slothful in achieving spiritual insight).

They were not in need of hearing aids; rather their inward man had digressed to become insensitive to spiritual things.

The Holy Spirt does not communicate to our head but to our spirit.  You can be a believer for years and not develop your spirit.

Scripture tells us that John The Baptist "Grew and became strong in spirit".  Regarding spiritual development, Paul told Timothy to give himself entirely to it "that your progress may be evident to all."

Luke 1:80 -- And the liggle boy grew and became strong in spirit.

           Into Action

Write three affirmations based on this teaching.

Producing The Miracle

John 15:7,8 -- "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.  By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples."

Some are willing to spend hours in prayer asking for a miracle instead of planting the word of God in their hearts, which in time would produce the miracle.  Prayer is what water and fertilizer are to a seed.  They help the word release it's life.

But if you haven't planted the seed, it doesn't matter how much water and fertilizer you apply, the soil still won't produce fruit.  It's the seed that has life.

Matthew 13:23 -- "The one who received the seed in rich soil is the man who hears the word and understands it; who accordingly bears fruit".........

Hebrews 4:12 -- For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword..........

          Into Action

Write three affirmations based on ths teaching.

Dealing With Carnal Thought Systems

2 Corinthians 10:4 -- the weapons we use in our fight are not the world's weapons, but God's powerful weapons with which to destroy strongholds.

We deal with the devil by dealing with the carnal thought systems, the strongholds, that protect the enemy.  The pulling down of strongholds begins with repentance.

The energies we expend in keeping our sins secret are the actural "materials" of which a stronghold is made. The demon you are fighting is using your thoughts to protect his access to your life.

Into Action

Identify one stronhold that you are using to protect the government of satan in your life.

Write down two affirmations that will bind the enemy and loose the power of the Kingdom of Heaven over this stronghold.

Believing God For The Impossible

Acts 3:6,7 -- But Peter said, silver and gold I do not have; but what I do have, that I give to you:  in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!  Then he took hold of the man's right hand with a firm grip and raised him up.  And at once his feet and ankle bones became strong and steady.

Part of the problem is this:  we are accustomed only to doing things for God that are not impossible.  If God doesn't show up and help us, we can still succeed.  There must be an aspect of the Christian life that is impossible without divine intervention that keeps us on the edge and puts us in contact with our true calling.

John 14:13,14 -- "Whatsoever you shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you shall ask anything in my name, I will do it."

          Into Action

Name two impossible things that need to come to pass in your life that you need to believe God for.

Write 2 affirmations for each to support your belief.

Living From The Victory Of Christ

Psalm 119:105,111 -- Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.  Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever:  for they are the rejoicing of my heart.

The attitude of those who live from the triumph of Christ is different than those who live under the influence of their past.

The only part of the past that we have legal access to is the testimony of the Lord.  The rest is dead, buried, forgotten, and covered under the blood.  The past should have no negative effect on the way we live, as the blood of Jesus is more than sufficient.

Living from the victory of Christ is the privilege for every believer.

Philippians 3:13,14 -- ".....this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling iof God in Christ Jesus."

Questions to Ask Myself

1.  How much time am I spending each day thinking about my past?

2.  Do I really understand my inheritance in Christ Jesus?

3.  Am I pursuing my destiny in Christ?

Christ In Me

Matthew 15:32 -- And Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, "I feel compassion for the multitude, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat."

          Observation

People saw in Jesus meekness, unlimited power and perfect love.  If I would win souls, people must see in me this same Jesus.

If I would draw men to Christ in heaven, they must be eyewitnesses of Christ in me.  But, if I have flagrant sin or self-righteousness, my witness is non-effective.

          Into Action

What am I doing in my life that is keeping Christ from being manifested in me? (Make a list)

What is my plan of action to correct this?


Albert Finch
http//:afministry.ning.com
twitter/aliosias

Framing Your World

1 Samuel 17:46 -- "This day will the Lord deliver you into my hands;  and I will smite you, and take your head from you; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.  And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear:  for the battle is the Lord's, and He will give you into our hands."

David framed his world -- before he ever fought Goliath, he called out what the outcome would be.  He called things that be not as though they were (Romans 4:17).  By faith, David said, "The Lord is going to give you into my hands today, Goliath, and I'm going to cut off your head!"
 
God wants us to be successful in our praying and in our saying.  If he didn't want us to succeed, he wouldn't have given us a pattern by which we could frame our world.

        Into Action

Name 2 aspects of your world that you would frame with the Word of God followed by personalized scripture that would support the change you desire.

Prayer To Cleanse Ourselves With The Blood Of Jesus

Father, we cleanse our hands
With the Blood of Jesus.
We apply the Blood of Jesus to our eyes, Lord,
So that we might see into the Spirit realm
Clearly and with clarity.
We apply the Blood of Jesus to our ears,
To cleanse our ears out of any defilement,
Wickedness, garbage, gossip or slander
That has been poured into our ears,
So that we might hear clearly
What You are speaking to us.
We apply the Blood of Jesus
To our lips and to our tongue,
So that You would be able to cleanse us
Of those things that we have spoken
That really haven't been of You at all.
Father, we apply the Blood of Jesus
To our hearts and our minds
The heart being the production center of the soul
That produces all the emotions and thoughts.
So Father, we ask You to put the Blood of Jesus
On our hearts, our thoughts, and our emotions
And to cleanse our minds from the dead works
So that we might serve the living God.
Father, we apply the Blood of Jesus to our feet.
Cleanse us from the corruption in this world
And from the dust of the world.
Father, cleanse us of those places
In which we have walked
That really haven't been ordered of You.
Lord, we receive the words of the Bible that say,
"The steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord."
We will have holy steps
Walking on that highway of holiness.
Praise You Lord, and we ask that you cleanse us from the tops of our heads to the soles of our feet.Thank You, Lord. Amen

Receiving From The Word

 All fear is rooted in the notion that God's promises won't come to pass. Fear of poverty is really fear that Philippians 4:19 (concerning God providing all my needs) won't work. Fear of sickness is really the fear that 1 Peter 2:24 (concerning God's promise to Heal me) won't work.

Affirmation I know that God is motivated by my faith and not my fears. As I hear God's word and receive it, faith will come. Likewise if I listen to and receive satan's word's, fear will be amplified in my life. Since I have a choice -- I choose faith!



Albert Finch
twitter/aliosias
http://afministry.ning.com/

Submerging In The Anointing

Ephesians 2:1 - But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

 Hebrews 10:22 - Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Romans 8:29 - For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that He might be the firstborn among many bretheren.

 AS I REACH FOR CHRISTLIKENESS, MY LOVE FOR GOD BECOMES RICHER, MY WITNESS TO SINNERS MORE POWERFUL, AND MY SECRET LIFE HOLY.
2 Kings 5:10 - And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.

 AS I DIP IN THE LIVING WATER OF GOD'S WORD AND SUBMERGE MYSELF IN THE ANOINTING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - THE WORLD WILL SEE AN EVENT THAT TRANSCENDS HUMAN POWER. THEY WILL WONDER AT THE DIVINE INTERVENTION BY GOD INTO MY CIRCUMSTANCES.
AffirmationAffirmationTHE BASIC PURPOSE OF THE CROSS IS MORE THAN RECONCILING US TO GOD; IT ALSO BRINGS US BACK TO HIMSELF IN THE CLOSE, INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP THAT HE ORIGINALLY INTENDED TO HAVE WITH MEN. HE WANTS TO BRING US NEAR.

Sharing In The Heavenly Call

Acts 14:22 - Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God.
 JUST AS ISRAEL HAD TO GO THROUGH A WILDERNESS THAT WAS THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF THE LAND OF MILK AND HONEY THEY HAD BEEN PROMISED IN ORDER TO GET TO THEIR INHERITANCE, I TOO, MUST DO THE SAME.

John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.

Hebrews 3:1 - Therefore, holy bretheren, who share in a heavenly call, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession.
Affirmation
 MY CONFESSION - THE WORDS I CONSTANTLY SPEAK DAY AFTER DAY- DETERMINE ALL THAT I WILL EVER RECEIVE FROM GOD, WHETHER IT'S SALVATION, PHYSICAL HEALING, PEACE, OR FINANCIAL PROSPERITY.


PAIN IS NOT MY ENEMY BUT MERELY THE PROOF THAT I HAVE ONE.

 Psalm 34:19 - Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
Hebrews 4:15 - For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

The Gift Of Righteousness

Matthew 6:33 -- "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things whall be added to you."

We all have things that we perceive that we need. What does God have to say to us about these concerns?

According to Matthew 6:31, He tells us, "Do not worry." God cares about us having these things. He wants us to have all these things. In fact, He wants all these things added to us. And He tells us that the way these things are added to us is by us seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Therefore, our number one priority every day ist to seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. IT IS NOT TO SEEK TO ADD THESE THESE THINGS TO OURSELVES.

But what is righteousness? Righteousness is not right behavior. It is right standing with the Father. It is the clearance of all your guilt, which makes you able to stand before God. It is not something you get through right behavior. It is a GIFT from God. Paul calls it "the gift of righteousness" (Romans 5:17). And to "seek" this gift is to be CONSCIOUS OF THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE IT, TO CONFESS THAT YOU ARE RIGHTEOUS IN CHRIST.

So this righteousness, we are told to seek, is not right behavior, but right standing before God, which comes to us as a gift when we receive salvation. At the cross, Jesus didn't just remove our sins, He gave us His righteousness so that today, we can come boldly before the throne of God and receive freely everything that He died to give us!

          Affirmations
 I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

I seek the righteousness of Jesus, not my own righteousness.

Albert Finch
http://afministry.ning.com (New Studies Every Day)
Twitter/aliosias