It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6  ​They call Hebrews 11 the Faith Chapter, as it recounts many old testament stories of people of great faith. People who believed what God said and did what He told them to do.

But for me, the clearest illustration of what total faith should look like is the story of the death and resurrection of Lazarus in John 11:1-45 I think I love this story so much because I see Jesus' frustration and growing anger at their lack of faith and understanding. If those who were closest to Him couldn't understand and believe, how could anyone?! Mary, Martha and Lazarus were Jesus' dear friends. They believed He was the Messiah, believed He could heal people and loved Him. But even with that knowledge and close personal relationship, they didn't have complete faith and total trust in what Jesus could do. 

A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. This is the Mary who later poured the expensive perfume on the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair. Her brother, Lazarus, was sick.  So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling Him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.” John 11:1-3 Mary and Martha knew if their friend Jesus came, He would heal their brother. But Jesus had a Kingdom lesson to teach! Our greatest lessons are often learned in the face of trials and this was one of those trials. But when Jesus heard about it He said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, He stayed where He was for the next two days. Finally, He said to His disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.” John 11:4-7 

Jesus loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus but He waited two days to go. He waited two days for Lazarus to die and be placed in a tomb so that God and His Son Jesus would get the glory for raising Lazarus from the dead. He had healed many people, so it wasn't hard to believe He could heal; but they had never before seen Him--or anyone else--raise someone from the dead! Their faith needed to be stretched and grow to an unprecedented level. The great Teacher was testing their faith and teaching them what limitless faith in the Kingdom was.

This must have also been a very frustrating time for the "human side" of Jesus because they were surely testing His patience with them. First, His disciples didn't want go because they were afraid the people of Judea would stone Him.  But His disciples objected. “Rabbi,” they said, “only a few days ago the people in Judea were trying to stone You. Are you going there again?” John 11:8  Next, when He told them that Lazarus was sleeping, they didn't understand what He meant. He had to tell them point blank for them to understand: Then He said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up.”

The disciples said, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will soon get better!” They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was simply sleeping, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died.

So He told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come, let’s go see him.” John 11:11-14 

Next, Thomas reluctantly agreed to do as Jesus said, and to die there. He was faithful to obey Jesus, but believing they would all die! Thomas, nicknamed Didymus, the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus.” John 11:16 

When Jesus arrived at Bethany, Martha went to meet Him to express her disappointment that He was late! When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet Him. But Mary stayed in the house. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give You whatever you ask.”

Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.”

“Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.” John 11:20-24 (We remember Martha and Mary from Luke 10:38-42 where Martha was upset that Mary was worshiping as Jesus' feet and not helping her with her preparations, so this isn't her only time of complaining to her friend Jesus) Martha had faith to believe for Lazarus' healing, but not that Jesus could raise Lazarus from the dead. And Mary, the worshiper, was so upset she didn't even go to meet Him! I think we've all known "Marys and Marthas" in our lives! Jesus had to send word to Mary to come to Him. When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at His feet and said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within Him, and He was deeply troubled. “Where have you put him?” He asked them. They told Him, “Lord, come and see.” John 11:32-34 

Can you feel what Jesus was feeling? The very people who should have had complete faith in what He said and what He was able to do, doubted Him. Now He had Mary saying that if He just hadn't been late her brother would still be alive!  Then we come to one of the most well known and most misunderstood verses in the Bible:  Jesus wept. 

Then the Jews who were standing nearby said, “See how much He loved him!” But some said, “This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t He have kept Lazarus from dying?”

Jesus was still angry as He arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them. John 11:36-39  What a day! I feel His anger and frustration at their lack of faith. They love Him, believe in Him but they are unable to fully see the power that works in Him. Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?”  John 11:40 Even in all this unbelief, He brought Lazarus back to life so that God would get the glory and their faith would be increased.

So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing Me. You always hear Me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe You sent Me.” Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!”  And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!” John 11:41-44 

What an amazing, faith-building lesson! What is your level of faith? I encourage you to increase your faith to the level of miraculous! If you've already seen it done before, or you can do it in your own strength, it doesn't make a demand on your faith. Also, trust the Lord that if He doesn't do exactly what you are asking for it is because He has something better for you than you could even imagine or think. Have faith in Jesus Christ and trust Him always!   Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do abundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 AMP

Be ready,

Deborah Luchie
​
www.kingdomcitizens.org
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​Dear Fellow Believers,
Recently I heard this statement, one I had never heard before. "Don't bleed on the sheep."  While this letter is written to all Believers, I am speaking specifically to the shepherd more than the sheep!   Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.  Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. James 3:1-2 NLT

So what does "bleeding on the sheep" mean?  It is when a pastor/teacher preaches out of their pain, issues and the sin they may be battling in their minds.  Instead of teaching them the Word of God and growing strong mature disciples, they are pouring their pain and emotional issues all over their sheep.  They are "bleeding all over them". When I heard that phrase, it reminded me of what the Holy Spirit had been telling me for weeks: 

Times are growing short.  It is time for pastors, teachers, preachers and all to teach the Word of God, to get more focused on teaching and preaching the Gospel only!  We also must not manipulate the sheep for our own purposes or feed OFF the sheep.  We are charged with feeding the sheep, caring for them, protecting them from evil and leading them in the way they should go.

Pastor, your sheep don't need a life coach, a relationship coach, a self-improvement teacher.  Your sheep need to get the Word of God in them and learn how to hear the Holy Spirit speak and guide them.  They need to see a strong, unshakable man or woman of God, raising a standard before them, who is saying "Follow me! This is the way we should go!"  

The world is having a stronger influence on your sheep than you and your church are.  They are becoming comfortable with the sins of the world, to the point of not even believing those things are sin.  That is because God's Word is not etched in their soul.   I have hidden Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11 NLT  

Going to most churches today is akin to going to a gym to get strong and fit, but only hanging out in the smoothie bar and then saying "I don't understand why I'm not seeing any change in my body! I go to the gym every day!" 

Pastors, ministers of the Gospel, are your sheep strong and courageous when they face the world?  Do they have unshakable standards and walk in the power of God's Word everywhere they go? Do they have unshakable faith and trust in God? Are they fully equipped to handle the sin and deception that is epidemic in the world?  If not, you aren't fulfilling your calling!  If you have battles of your own, get a mentor, a prayer partner; someone you may confide in and seek counsel and prayer. Your pulpit is not your therapy session.  Your sheep aren't there to minister to you.  You are there to minister to them. 

We don't need any more shows.  We don't need therapy sessions.  We need sheep who are strong as lions because they are full of the Word of God.  If the world took their Bibles and their internet away, they would be quoting scripture to those who don't know the Word.  Feed your sheep for they are starved for the Word!   

A third time Jesus asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?”

Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep".  John 21:17  NLT

If that isn't what you want to do, go become a coach, a motivational speaker, write books or become an entertainer.  But don't do it under the cover of being a pastor to spiritual leader of any sort. They don't need another "ear tickler". There is no more time to play.

It is time to get serious, man and woman of God.  God has given you an assignment.  Feed His sheep.  Recess is over.  School is in session!  This is your assignment:  

I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word [as an official messenger]; be ready when the time is right and even when it is not [keep your sense of urgency, whether the opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable, whether convenient or inconvenient, whether welcome or unwelcome]; correct [those who err in doctrine or behavior], warn [those who sin], exhort and encourage [those who are growing toward spiritual maturity], with inexhaustible patience and [faithful] teaching. For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction [that challenges them with God’s truth]; but wanting to have their ears tickled [with something pleasing], they will accumulate for themselves [many] teachers [one after another, chosen] to satisfy their own desires and to support the errors they hold, and will turn their ears away from the truth and will wander off into myths and man-made fictions [and will accept the unacceptable].  But as for you, be clear-headed in every situation [stay calm and cool and steady], endure every hardship [without flinching], do the work of an evangelist, fulfill [the duties of] your ministry.  2 Timothy 4:1-5 AMP

Read that aloud, as an oath to the God you serve, then fulfill it!

Be ready,

Deborah
DeborahLuchie.org
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Think about yourself for a moment. How much of your time with the Lord--in prayer, meditation, reading--is spent focusing on yourself?  How much of your time and attention is focused on others--praying for people, discipling others, telling people about Jesus, helping people in need or serving in your church? 

What began as something good--Focusing on ourselves for self improvement and growth--has grown into an almost obsession of self-focus and selfishness.  It is insidious! 

I remember when pastors began moving away from messages about salvation, service and evangelism to "self-help" messages that sounded more like personal growth therapy sessions!  It seemed like a good direction to go because people were becoming more aware of their emotional and mental states and would, with that knowledge grow into mature, productive disciples of Christ.  The problem is, we ended up with an abundance of "me Christians"!  In essence, there are many Humanist Christians who don't even know that is what they have become. 

Wikipedia says: Christian humanism regards humanist principles like universal human dignity, individual freedom and the importance of happiness as essential and principal components of the teachings of Jesus. Now, the problem with that is that it puts "me" at the center of my universe and not Jesus.  It is like taking the sun and having it rotate around the earth.  We are not the center of the universe!

Also, I have read several articles that say being self-focused may increase depression but being focused on others and helping people in some way decreases depression.  "Getting your mind off yourself" just may be good advice!  That is understandable!

People whose lives are based on selfishness think about selfish things, but people whose lives are based on the Spirit think about things that are related to the Spirit. The attitude that comes from selfishness leads to death, but the attitude that comes from the Spirit leads to life and peace.  So the attitude that comes from selfishness is hostile to God. It doesn’t submit to God’s Law, because it can’t. People who are self-centered aren’t able to please God.

But you aren’t self-centered. Instead you are in the Spirit, if in fact God’s Spirit lives in you. If anyone doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ, they don’t belong to Him. Romans 8:5-9 CEB

We choose churches by the way it affects us:  the worship, the preaching, the child care, etc as if we were the center of the universe. You want to go somewhere where you can "Get your praise on!", get pumped up and know your children are well taken care of.  Have you ever gone "church shopping" with the focus being "Can God use me here?"  

I'm right there with you and until recently I never thought about it.  But this year the Holy Spirit changed my focus and I began seeing from a new perspective!  Once you see it, you can't unsee it! That is why I am writing. I want you to see also! 

We've got to get our eyes off of ourselves and back on Jesus! 

​Social media and our culture have created an epidemic of self-absorbed and narcissistic people.  It has caused them to look coldly on the hardships of others. As long as we keep our eyes on ourselves, we cannot advance the Kingdom of God in our community.  How many people will never come to know Jesus because we couldn't get our eyes and thoughts off of ourselves?  That is a sobering thought.   

Yes, once you see it, you won't be able to unsee it.  Be aware of your focus.  Is it Jesus focused?  Is it focused on discipleship, evangelism, serving others?  Or is it centered on you, how it relates to your life, your prosperity, your comfort, and your happiness?  

...Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Hebrews 12:1b-2 NLT

​All scriptures NLT unless noted.
​
​​​Be a Kingdom light shining in the darkness,

Deborah Luchie
DeborahLuchie.org
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed.  Thank you

Our society is out of control. I cannot speak from experience about other countries, but in America we are one long gag video of adults behaving badly.  It seems the majority of our population has no self control!  Road rage, people being shot over a fast food order and situations that should be of no consequence quickly escalates to chaos and destruction. Behaviors that once would put a person in a mental institution are now applauded and entertainment for the masses. When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild.  But whoever obeys the law is joyful.  Proverbs 29:18 

I can understand this happening in the world, but believers in Jesus Christ, citizens of the Kingdom of God,  should be a model of self control and all the Fruits of the Spirit.  They have God's Word and the Holy Spirit to guide them!  We are called to be salt and light to the world.  But if we are immature believers and look like the world, our light is dim and our salt has lost its savor.  What good are we?  “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.  You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.  No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.  Matthew 5:13-15

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.  Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.  Galatians 5:22-25

Of all the fruit listed, self control is the rarest--but most important--of them all.  It is the key to all the others!  Once you mature in self control, all the others fruits of the Spirit will manifest in your life.  With God's Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you can cultivate mature fruit in your life.  Self control is about being able to control and properly respond to your emotions and thoughts.  Emotions are temporary.  They change direction as often as the wind. You are not your emotions.  You are your mind, body, spirit AND emotions.  But you are meant to control them, not the other way around.  The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 
1 Corinthians 10:13

​Remember these are "fruits" of the Spirit, not the "gifts" of the Spirit.  One is given and one must be cultivated.  Many years ago, our property was adjacent to an apple orchard.  Workers consistently mowed, pruned, fertilized and sprayed for pests for many, many months.  Then when the fruit was ripe, they harvested the delicious apples to sell.  When the harvest was finished, we would go into the orchard and pick up the apples left on the ground (the owner told us we were welcome to the leftovers!).  Then I would take those apples and make applesauce and apple butter...what a delicious blessing from their overflow!  But one year no workers came.  No one cultivated the fruit. No one mowed or pruned or fertilized.  No one harvested the fruit. The orchard was abandoned. At first the apples were still good, but over time the orchard became overgrown, unkempt and the fruit became small, diseased and damaged by pests.

That is what happens in our lives when we don't feed our spirit with God's Word and listen to the Holy Spirit.  Most of the sin and chaos in our lives began with a lack of self control.  I'm sorry, but you can't have someone lay hands on you and pray some self control on you.  It is cultivated by listening to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and God's Word.  Be intentional and seek self control in your life.  Once you have self control, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, love and faithfulness will grow also!  

Here is just a few practical suggestions that have worked for me to cultivate self control:

• Never react--pause, breath, think, and then respond.
• Grow a thicker skin and don't be easily offended
• When someone angers or upsets you, while you are breathing and pausing, try to think of what they were thinking or why they did what they did. Be empathetic.
• Don't let a day go by without forgiving because unforgiveness roots as bitterness.
• Let go of the need to be right.
• Let go of the need to have the last word.
• Determine ahead of time that you will never see yourself as a victim.  Bad things may happen but you are not a victim. You are an overcomer!
• Think 'cause and effect'.  If I do this--if I say this--what will happen?  What will the fallout be?  Is the cost too great?  Then STOP yourself before it is too late.
• And last, my favorite self-talk sentence:  "It's not that serious!"  Sometimes we think something is so serious and catastrophic, when by next week you won't even remember what it was.  Unless it is truly a life or death situation, it's not that serious!

Of course, the most important thing of all is to be filled up with God's Word.  It is the nutrients you need to grow the satisfying fruit of self control and all of the fruits of the Spirit.  So I will close this out with some nourishment for spirit.  You can change.  You can grow mature fruit!

​All NIV scriptures:
Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.  Proverbs 25:28

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.  2 Timothy 1:7 

Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.  Proverbs 16:32

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.  James 1:19

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.  Titus 2:11-12

Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.
Proverbs 12:16 

Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. 
Proverbs 29:11 

All scriptures NLT unless noted.
​
​​​Be a Kingdom light shining in the darkness,

Deborah Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
 
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed.  Thank you

The other morning I woke up with the first lines from Don Moen's "Be Magnified" looping in my mind.  

I have made You too small, in my eyes; O Lord, forgive me...

Have you?  I know the Holy Spirit was showing me that I was.  How do we make Him small in our eyes?  

I have believed in a lie; that You were unable to help me...

We make Him small in our eyes when we turn to man, or ourselves, to fix us, to heal us, to solve our problems, to provide for our needs.  We lack faith when we don't first turn to God!  

I have leaned on the wisdom of men; O Lord, forgive me;
And I have responded to them; instead of Your light and Your mercy

He spoke the world into existence! He is omnipotent--unlimited power and able to do anything!  He is omniscient--He knows everything!  And He is omnipresent--He is everywhere!  God forgive us for turning first to doctors for our healing, man for our money, police and weapons for our protection!  If we truly understood how great our God is why would we ever turn to anyone else? We would be walking in divine health, divine provision and divine protection.  We live below our potential!  I am speaking to myself first on this!

I am not against doctors, but they shouldn't be my first thought.  I shouldn't depend on them.   They don't always have the answers and they cannot heal me, only God can!  Sometimes all I have gotten is an empty wallet and medicine that made me sick.  That has also shown me that I have put my faith in the wrong place!  

Whatever you are in need of, take it to the Lord first!  He is the answer and He will direct your path.  Whatever the question, whatever the need, He is the answer.  

​And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ. Romans 10:17 

And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. James 5:15 

Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God.  I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.  I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.  But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too. Mark 11:22-25

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.  Romans 12:2

When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to Him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use Your name!”

“Yes,” He told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning!  Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. ”  Luke 10:17-19

So what do we have to fear?!

There is nothing He cannot do.  

Let's be honest.  Have you made God small in your eyes?  Is mankind bigger in your eyes than God?  I have.  Let's repent and change our perspective!  God forgive me for forgetting who You are.  I pray I never turn to man first and only come to You when they don't have an answer.  Have you ever heard people say "Well, all we can do now is pray."  Dear God forgive us!  He is our first response, not last! He is all we need! 

​If the day ever comes that "all we have is Jesus", I want that to already be the way I live.   How about you?

Your words have power.  We've all heard that, but I don't think we realize how important it is to live it!  What you say and how you say it will affect your daily life.  Now don't think this is the word of faith message you've heard since the 80s and dismiss it.
  
God created the universe with His words.  He spoke it into being.   Then God  said, “Let there be light,” and there was light...Then God said, “Let there be a space between the waters, to separate the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth.”  And that is what happened. God made this space to separate the waters of the earth from the waters of the heavens.  God called the space “sky.”...Then God said, “Let the waters beneath the sky flow together into one place, so dry ground may appear.” And that is what happened...Then God said, “Let the land sprout with vegetation—every sort of seed-bearing plant, and trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. These seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came.” And that is what happened.   God didn't have to "make" anything.  He created with His Words.  His Words brought life and order to formless chaos!  

Then God created mankind, in His image, to be like Him.  Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”  So God created human beings in His own image.  In the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.
​
We may not be creating worlds with our words, but our words affect our world and its quality of life.  Here is what I mean:  Which of these sentences is more faith-building?

"I am a diabetic."

"I have diabetes."
​
"I am dealing with diabetes until Jesus heals me"

Your child doesn't have ADHD, they are "dealing with attention deficit issues until Jesus heals them".  Don't attach negative labels to your child which they will have great difficulty removing.  It becomes a part of who they are.

You are not depressed, or suffering with depression.  But you may be dealing with depression until Jesus heals you.  Your present condition does not define you!  Your relationship with Jesus Christ defines you.  

It's not wordplay, or semantics, and it's not nitpicking.  It is building a framework for your life in a position of faith and total trust.  Don't embrace sickness, disease, mental or emotional disorders or addictions. Don't own them...God never intended for them to be yours.  Satan wants you in a posture of hopelessness and defeat.

You are not your current condition!  

You are a blood-bought believer in Jesus Christ.  You are a son or daughter of the most high God. 

You are a citizen of the Kingdom of God.

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?  (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.  No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We have all done it.  "I'm forgetful."  "I'm such a klutz."  "I'm an alcoholic." "I'm a drug addict."  "I am depressed."  "I am an agoraphobic." "You are stupid"  "You are lazy." 

No matter what your issue is, you are not THAT and neither is your child!  You are a child of God.  You are more than a conqueror.  You are a citizen of the Kingdom of God.  You are an overcomer.  You are overcoming alcohol.  You are overcoming drugs.  You are being delivered from an addiction to cigarettes.  

Don't bury yourself under a mound of negative words.  It will bring negative, hopeless feelings that will immobilize you.  Do you want to be healed and whole?  Do you want to rise above your current situation?  Speak where you want to go.  Speak faith.  And trust God's timing.

"This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” 

I want to encourage you today.  Be aware of what you say.  Speak like a victorious Kingdom citizen.  Here is what I say.  Take it and change the words to fit you.

"I am dealing with arthritis until Jesus heals me. I will not embrace it and it is not mine.  It has been sent by the enemy and is not God's will for my life!  God's timing is perfect.  He's never early but He's never late.  I am a child of the living God.  A citizen of the Kingdom of God.  My faith is in Jesus Christ and I trust Him!"

Genesis 1   Romans 8:35-39   Joshua 1:9   Proverbs 18:21  Matthew 21:21-22  All NLT

Be a Kingdom light shining in the darkness,

Deborah Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
 
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed.  Thank you

I have desired to move to the Florida gulf for several years.  I have prayed and believed.  I've put Him first in my life, loved Him and worked to advance His Kingdom.  This year, suddenly, He brought everything together for us to move...to a little home in a smaller city in South Carolina.  It wasn't Florida, but it was everything we needed most of all.  Now, I could have been disappointed, let down, even upset with God and allow it to lessen my faith.  But, having reached a place of trust in the Lord, I could clearly see how He had prepared this place for us and it was exactly what we needed for this time. There have been many great trust-building moments in my life, but this is the most recent reminder. 

In the non-traditional churches of today we are taught about faith and speaking what we are believing for, without doubting; but we aren't taught how to handle disappointment when we don't receive what we believed for. It is often an uncomfortable conversation between believer and leader. 

"Why didn't God answer my prayer?" 

"Why weren't they healed?"

"Why didn't I get that job I was perfect for?"

"Why don't they love me?  I know we would be perfect together!"

It is in those times, if we pay attention, we will discover how much we actually TRUST God.  It is easy to believe He loves us when we are blessed with answered prayers.  But can we trust Him when it seems He hasn't given us what we prayed for?  

Times of great pain and emotion are not the times to teach about trust.  Those lessons should come as a part of being discipled.  We have not prepared His people for the times that He says "No".

Trust is not common in our country today, so most of us haven't experienced having complete trust in someone.  People have let us down.  We've trusted and we've gotten hurt.  Trust, once broken, is very difficult to rebuild.  We approach God in the same way.  We don't freely or naturally trust.  We must cultivate trust in God as we have built our faith in God, over time.  

We must come to understand that He knows everything and we only see a pinpoint view of what we want. We don't see the big picture. Can you trust that He knows better what you need and what you don't need?  He also isn't as concerned with our moment of happiness compared with His purpose and destiny for our lives! That is true unselfish love. “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.  “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.  For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."  Isaiah 55:8-9  

Trust is submitting to God's will for your life, over yours.  Even Jesus had to submit and trust His Father's will over His own.  "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Luke 22:42 

It is in those times of disappointment that we grow in our trust, if we will make the effort.  In those times, we say, "Lord I trust you.  I don't understand, but I trust You.  I know You love me and have a plan for my life.  I know that whatever You have for me is better than anything I could ever hope or imagine!"  Close your eyes and feel it as you say it.  Can you feel the "letting go" of what you wanted and grabbing hold of His hand and all that He has for you?  Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.  Proverbs 3:5-6  When we trust and truly let go of our will, our desires, we will experience His peace that goes beyond anything we could imagine.  It is a peace that causes people to look at you in times of sorrow and crisis and wonder how you can be so calm.  It is because you trust Your Lord and Savior in every situation.  "...and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:7 

Don't think you've done something wrong or "prayed wrong" when a prayer isn't answered.  Don't blame yourself.  Prayers are always answered, God always hears you.  It just may not be answered in the way you thought it would.  And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.  And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.  And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.  Romans 8:26-28 

Now, more than ever, Believers in the Kingdom of God must be prepared, emotionally and mentally strong and always ready for battle.  That won't happen by only being fed once a week on what is preached.  Your nutritious food is God's Word and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:8-9  

Now is the time to build up your spirit.  Build your faith and strengthen your trust.  Know that no matter how things may look, God has a plan and has orchestrated your best life.  You just may not know what that life looks like yet.  Trust Him in all things.  The world is getting weaker emotionally and mentally every day.  Kingdom citizens, it's time to be strong and unmovable and place our complete trust in the Lord! Be a witness to the strength and complete peace that comes from having complete trust in the Lord Jesus.

​Be a Kingdom light shining in the darkness,

Deborah Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
 
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed.  Thank you

When the Lord God created mankind, He could have made us mindless drones, created only to do His will.  We would never disobey and everything we did would be orchestrated and "programmed" by God.  Clearly that is not was God wanted. He created mankind in His image and gave him free will.  He gave us the gift of "choices".  He wanted us to CHOOSE to love Him; to CHOOSE to obey Him; to CHOOSE to worship Him.  He wanted His creation for choose Him!  I think we can all relate to wanting that.  We don't want a spouse who is forced to love us.  We want someone who chooses us and loves us freely!

“Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster.  For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep His commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in His ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy."

“But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods,  then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy."

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!  You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying Him, and committing yourself firmly to Him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”  Deuteronomy 30:15-20 

​Kingdom citizens, know that having the freedom to choose is extended to all, not only believers!  When you look at our world and all the terrible things in it, understand that everything that happens, happens because of choices people have made.  God gave all of mankind the freewill to choose life or death.  We can pray, be we cannot overwrite God's decree of the gift of freewill just because the world chooses death and rejects the Lord Jesus as their savior.  

Religion will try to force its will over the people in the world because they are making evil choices that bring death and destruction.  But to force ones will and choices upon another goes against the Lord God's gift of freewill.  We have no authority to do this.  Our responsibility as citizens of the Kingdom of God is to go into that world and represent Jesus and be examples of life in the Kingdom with it's benefits.  We are responsible to be light in the darkness.

We are not called to force the world to accept Jesus as their Savior.  We present the Gospel and the Lord draws them.  But, they still have their freewill and are free to accept or reject Him...choices.  We are only called to spread the Gospel of the Kingdom of God that Jesus taught, around the world.  Everyone should be given that final--greatest--choice of all.  Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.  And the Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.  Matthew 24:12-14  

Religion's controlling spirit has tried far too often to force the world to live by its standards.  Personally, I wish the world would all live by God's standards as laid out in His Word!  That is the world I want to live in.  But our desire to have a Godly world should not be brought about by taking away freewill and God's gift of "choices".  He didn't force mankind and we cannot either.  When we try, with the best of intentions, to force our will upon non-believers, we are being disobedient, and yes, in sin!  

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.  Galatians 5:12-15 

Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.  John 7:17 NIV 

For many years I have heard "Don't be surprised when sinners sin!"  That is very true.  Hard truths:  1.  Everyone won't be saved.  2.  As long as we live on this earth, there will be evil, sin, death and destruction.  Choose life or death.  The world is choosing death and destruction.  

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.  Proverbs 18:21 NKJV 
​
The religious of today misrepresent Christ and drive people away from ever knowing Him, when they try to control the sins of the world.  You are called to represent your King Jesus and His Kingdom, and to present the Gospel to those who cross your path.  Stay in your own lane.  

Be a Kingdom light shining in the darkness,

Deborah Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
 
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed.  Thank you​​​