​Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

My question is, would you prefer a friend's wounds to an enemy's kisses? Anyone who can, is considering the source.  A friend has your best interest at heart.  They may have to give you unpleasant advice at times, but you know it is for your own good.  
Now an enemy on the other hand, may whisper sweet words and compliments that will eventually send you to ruin.  Sad, but true, we tend to hear what we want to hear, even if an enemy is the only one saying it.  When a leader listens to the flattery of an enemy, or unfaithful friend, not only the leader suffers but also those who follow him.  

The words of a true friend, no matter how painful, are much better.  Always consider the source, and the motive behind the words.

Proverbs 27:6

~~W.R. Luchie

A continual dripping on a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike; Whoever restrains her restrains the wind, and grasps oil with his right hand.

When seeking a mate, remember this: being with someone who is quarrelsome, nagging and has a steady stream of unwanted advice is a form of torture.  People nag because they think they are not getting through to you. They think they aren't being heard. But nagging hinders communication more than it helps.  When you are tempted to engage in this destructive habit, stop and examine your motives.  Are you more concerned about yourself, getting your way, or being right, than about the person you are pretending to help?  If you are truly concerned about other people, think of a more effective way to get through to them.  Surprise them with words of patience and love, see things from their perspective and see what happens.

Another way to assure your wife that she his getting your attention and being heard is to stop everything that you are doing, turning off the TV if necessary, and look and listen to what she is saying to you.  It works for me all the time. Arlene is definitely not nagging, but she certainly appreciates my undivided attention when she is trying to share something with me.  Clear communication is vital to a great relationship. Get your priorities in order.
​
Proverbs 27:15-16
~~W.R. Luchie

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

Those of us  who embrace Jesus the Christ as their Lord and King should thank God every day for His Son Jesus becoming the sacrificial Lamb for all mankind.  Because of Jesus' sacrifice we have become royalty.  By the way, we should embrace our Jewish brothers and sisters, because it is through faith in His Son that we have become citizens of the Kingdom and children of the most high God.  For He is King and Lord.

I cannot state often enough, we as Kingdom citizens must learn to stay focused on the Word of God.  We must learn to persevere, to stay focused on His promise.  Ambassador Paul stated it this way:

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I Peter 2:9-10   Hebrews 12:1-2
~~W.R. Luchie

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.  What I have come to realize is that the enemy has deceived so many people who claim to  know the Lord, but actually have a religious mindset.  Do not be deceived, the only way one can be a true imitator of the King is to have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit residing in your mortal body.  Leaders are falling away from the Lord, but still are preaching and teaching from the pulpit.  Their words are hollow because they are not led by the Holy Spirit. The ambassador Paul made it very plain:  Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.  We are not to associate with individuals who have chosen to be disobedient to the written Word, and we certainly aren't to be led by them  Therefore do not be partakers with them.  There are far too many who fit that description.  They go  to church but do not walk in obedience to God's Word.

The Lord wants His citizens--sons and daughters--holy (meaning separated--set apart).   But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Ephesians 5:1-7

~~W.R. Luchie

Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.

First, I must say, there are no such things as miracles in the Kingdom.  What?! Why?!  Because what we call  miracles here on earth, is a standard procedure in the Kingdom.  "Miracles" are normal in the Kingdom of God.

Do you remember what King Jesus stated in Matthew 10?  These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.

“Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. And when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." 

Whenever the Kingdom of Heaven was present, healing, deliverance, hope and encouragement was present.  The glory of the Lord was present.  By the way, the glory of God is the culture of heaven.

Whenever a kingdom citizen comes into your presence, he or she represents the glory or culture of the Kingdom.
​
John 9:1-4   Matthew 10:5-16
~~W.R. Luchie

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”

Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

​Please note:  Truth is always closely connected to Jesus.  This truth is not a philosophical truth as some will lead you to believe, but a truth that leads to your salvation.  Note the statement He made in verse 31:  Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 

Embracing and obeying the King's Word is the foundation for being His disciples.  If you don't embrace His Word and continue to be disobedient (sin), you are slaves to sin (disobedience).   Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.  Note that a slave or subject to the Kingdom is only temporary.  Jesus mentions that those who obey His teaching is family.  And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.
Embracing and obeying the King's Word is the foundation for being His disciples.  If you don't embrace His Word and continue to be disobedient (sin), then you are slaves to sin (disobedience).  
I want to remind you, if you read God's Constitution from a religious mindset, you will not truly understand.  You must have a Kingdom mindset to get the true essence of God's written Word.

There are no religious people in the Kingdom.  There are only citizens who are sons and daughters of the King.

John 8:31-35
~~W.R. Luchie

Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, “He is out of His mind.”

​Now with the crowds pressing in on Him, Jesus didn't take time to eat. Because of this, His friends and family came to take charge of Him.

Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him. And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You.”  They were thinking that He had gone off the deep end, as a religious fanatic.  They were concerned for Him, but like most others in today's society, they failed to understand the Kingdom concept.  They really missed the point of His ministry.  Even those who were closest to the King were slow to understand who He was and what He had come to do.

Believe me when I state this:  There will be times even now when your friends and family will mark you as being off the wall because of the message of the Kingdom.  But keep this in mind, you are in great company.  Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven...Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Mark 3:20-21, 31-32   Matthew 5:3, 10-12
~~W.R. Luchie

​“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you."

Did you read the condition that they would receive the Counselor?  "If you love Me, you will obey what I command you"  Receiving the Holy Spirit is predicated on obeying God's Word.  It is not based on picking and choosing what laws and principles you will obey.  This is why I know many who claim they are believers of Jesus and His written Word don't have the Holy Spirit abiding in their mortal bodies.  Jesus made it very plain.   “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them."

By the way, your fruit is your behavior, obedience to His laws and principles and especially your lifestyle.

John 14:15-18   Matthew 7:15-20
~~W.R. Luchie 

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

As citizens of the Kingdom we should expect continuing challenges, but we should always remain peaceful and confident.  Why?  Because we obey and trust in His Word.  The world system is "out of sync" with the message that King Jesus preached and taught while He was on earth.

Remember, Jesus the Christ didn't come to bring peace to the world.  Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 

When you trust in His Word, you will obtain peace in your soul and mind.  But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  Keep in mind, the disciples hadn't received the Holy Spirit as of yet, but Christ was full of the Holy Spirit without measure.

When you totally trust in God's Word, the fear of death is removed.  (the fear of dying, which is the sting of death).  Take advice and be encouraged for the words of King David.  

John 16:33   Matthew 10:34   John 14:26-27 
~W.R. Luchie

Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.

​King Jesus always upholds the law.  Jesus never came to destroy the law, but to fulfill it.  Those individuals with a religious mindset will always be a stumbling block to the Kingdom.  Now, concerning the Jewish law, the Jewish leaders had already violated the law by arresting the woman without the man.  That is like many of those individuals who claim to love the Lord.  They pick and choose which law they will obey.

The law required that both parties to adultery, be stoned.  The man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, he who commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress, shall surely be put to death.  If a man is found lying with a woman married to a husband, then both of them shall die—the man that lay with the woman, and the woman; so you shall put away the evil from Israel.  These are God's laws and principles.  The leaders were using the woman as a trap so they could trick the King (meaning Jesus).  If Jesus stated that the woman should be stoned, they would have accused Him of violating the law of Moses.  If He urged them to execute her, they would report Him to the Romans who did not permit the Jews to carry out their own executions.  Then Pilate said to them, “You take Him and judge Him according to your law.”  Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,”.   This was the law of the Roman government.

Remember, the King's law is sovereign.  Obey it.

John 8:3-6   Leviticus 20:10   Deuteronomy 22:22   John 18:31

~~W.R. Luchie

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.
 
Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,” when you have it with you.  

When it comes to God's written Word, I always aim for true understanding. Delaying doing good is definitely inconsiderate and very unfair to others.  Whether it is repaying a loan, returning your neighbor's tool or fulfilling a promise made.

Keep in mind, withholding or delaying destroys trust and creates a great inconvenience.  You are a representative of the Kingdom of God, which is His government.

Be eager to do good as you are to have good done to you.  The merciful man does good for his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.  The wicked man does deceptive work, but he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward. 

Lastly, King Jesus made this statement:  Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Proverbs 3:27-28   Proverbs 11:17-18   Matthew 7:12

~~W.R. Luchie

To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

Keep this in mind:  Sacrifices are not bribes to make the Lord God overlook our behavior or character faults.  And it is certainly not permission to disobey His written Word.  If our personal and business dealings with others are not characterized by justice, there is no amount of generosity when we give to the poor or when the offering place is passed, that will make up for being disobedient to His Word.  Read what God's Constitution--the Bible--says:  The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.  The Lord God, as the King He is, wants your obedience, not the sacrifices of those people who embrace the world system of doing things.

Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom. Give ear to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah:

“To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?” says the Lord.  “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed cattle.  I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs or goats.

God's character is unchanging.  He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Proverbs 21:3   Proverbs 15:8   Isaiah 1:10-11
~~W.R. Luchie

Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

Jesus did not state why the Spirit would not come until He went back to the Father, but He clearly taught that His sacrificial work on the cross was necessary before the Holy Spirit (Counselor) was to arrive on planet earth.

If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever.

Once again, if you will notice, the Holy Spirit only comes to those who are obedient to the King's Word.  They are the ones to whom Jesus will send the Holy Spirit (Counselor, teacher).  But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

You must live by the King's Word, which are His standards--principles and laws.

John 16:7   John 14:15-16   John 14:26
~~W.R. Luchie

As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

One thing that I have learned from my wife, Arlene is that there is a mental sharpness that comes from being around good, righteous people. A meeting of the minds can assist people in seeing their ideas with new clarity, refine them and shape them into brilliant insight.  

This requires partners who can challenge each other and stimulate thought. It requires individuals who can focus on an idea without involving their ego in the discussion.  It requires individuals who know how to attack the thought and not the thinker.  Two friends who bring their ideas together and assist each other become sharper.  The right friendship, the right relationship, will always make you better.  By the way, I have just described my wife Arlene and I.  We thank God for that precious relationship.  Together we are better.

He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.

Proverbs 27:17   Proverbs 13:20
~~W.R. Luchie

And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.

In God's Constitution, an individual's name stands for his or her character. It represents who they really are. We are not only to believe in the Words of Christ, but to embrace His message as well.

And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.

We are also to embrace Him as the one and only Son of the Father.  Jesus couldn't have made it any plainer than this when He made this statement.   I and My Father are one.

If you will embrace Jesus as Lord and King of your life, you will most definitely live again.  Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

​The King's Word is sovereign. If He said it, it is truth.  He cannot lie.

John 3:23   Matthew 4:17   John 10:30   John 11:25-26
~~W.R. Luchie

“Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Keep in mind, that if you fail to read, study and embrace the Word of the living God, you will be deceived.  In times of persecution even those who consider themselves to be strong believers in Christ, will find it difficult to be loyal.  That is because they failed to embrace the Kingdom concept.  To keep from being deceived by a false messiah, we must know His Word.  We must understand that every eye shall see Him unmistakably.

Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.  No one will be able to doubt that it is Him.  If you have to be told that the Messiah (King) has come, then He hasn't.  

For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.  The nations of the earth will mourn because they fail to seek and embrace the King and His Kingdom.

Remember what He stated:  Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

Matthew 24:26-31   Mark 13:26   Matthew 24:27, 35
~~W.R. Luchie