As citizens of God's Kingdom, we are called to accurately represent Him wherever we go. To do that, we must know His Word and listen to the Holy Spirit--our Governor. We represent His Kingdom without compromise. I used to hear the phrase, "If God said it, I believe it, and that settles it!". Yes, that is true! We don't get to read God's Constitution to His people and cross out the words we don't agree with, or edit it to suit our feelings.  Sanctify them by Your Truth. Your Word is Truth.  John 17:17 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 5:18-19 

When it comes to our human relationships--marriage, friendships, family, work, etc--they require compromise to survive and thrive. But those compromises come out of our soul--that is our mind, will and emotions. Those compromises usually come down to being unselfish and and preferring what the other person wants over your own wants and desires. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4 NKJV 

​But as Kingdom citizens, we must never compromise God's Word, His principles and standards. We do not compromise our spirit and our relationship with our Lord and King for anyone! If we do, it grieves the Holy Spirit--our Governor. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30 NKJV 

God's Constitution never changes, even though our culture, our world, does. One of the responsibilities of a citizen of God's Kingdom is to be a standard, raised high everywhere we go, representing our Lord and His Kingdom. "Raising a standard" refers to a physical symbol of something that represented their values and their principles; a flag, emblematic figure, or other object raised on a pole to indicate the rallying point of an army. Raising a standard gives people a focus point to follow and not get lost or off track. That is why it is so important that we do not compromise on God's Word directing our lives and behavior. People are watching. They need to see us living what we speak about! They need to see that God's Word is Truth--His laws, principles and blessings.  You are that standard in your circle! 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. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:14-16 

Refusing to compromise on God's Word does not come easy. It may bring on threats and even danger. But trust the Lord God to bring you through! Read the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and their unwillingness to compromise and bow to King Nebuchadnezzar's idol. Daniel 3 You probably know the story, but read it again, understanding the importance of standing firm on the Lord God's Word. Know that when you refuse to compromise His Word and standards, He will take care of you! So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke! Daniel 3:26b-27 

We are living in a time when the world demands that all thoughts and beliefs bow to their beliefs. They want followers of Jesus Christ to compromise on all that He taught. We must be knowledgeable of all that He tells us in God's Constitution and familiar with the leading of the Holy Spirit. We must stay focused and single minded in our purpose.  If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask Him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. James 1:5-8

There is no compromising God's Word. We don't have the editorial rights to change what the Lord God has said! But we do have a responsibility to represent our King without compromise. If you love Me, keep My commandments. John 14:15  And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17 NKJV

The effects of compromising our belief in God's Word are insidious. People may say, "What's the big deal?" or "Don't make a mountain out of a molehill" or even "Just do it, you don't have to really agree with it. No one will know the difference".

It does matter and God knows.

Compromise is a slippery slope. Spiritual compromises makes room for doubt. The more you do it, the easier it gets. Before long, you will have drifted far from His Presence. We have seen stories in the news about pastors leaving their calling, some saying they don't even believe in God or, tragically, committing suicide.

It started with a small spiritual compromise. 

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. Proverbs 14:12 NKJV

Remember, when you compromise to get along with the world, you are yoking yourself with it, rather than the Lord God and His Son Jesus.  Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said:  “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

​Be a Kingdom light shining in the darkness,

Deborah Luchie
​
www.kingdomcitizens.org
All scriptures are NLT unless otherwise noted.

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

Have you ever worked somewhere, where you had a key to your office/work area? If so, your key only opened that door. It didn't give you access to every room in the whole building. But somewhere, someone had a master key that would give them access to every room. The same goes for hotels. You are given a key to your room, but there is also a master key, giving anyone who has it access to all the rooms.

In the Kingdom of God, this is the master key:  But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33 NKJV  This one key principle opens the doors to everything you need. 

One scripture, one sentence. But it contains all the "mystery" of the Kingdom of God we truly need. Seek FIRST (above everything else) 1. God's Kingdom and 2. God's righteousness. The preceding scriptures talk about other things we tend to seek: Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.

That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Matthew 6:19-21, 24-32

What are you seeking first? When you pray, what are you seeking? Another way of putting it is, "What is your focus?"

This week, I saw a news article that the Lord used to show me how He has worked in my life in ways I didn't even realize. The subject of the article was Americans' growing debt in this time of great inflation. Prices are skyrocketing for our basic needs and people are using credit to make ends meet. But the Holy Spirit showed me immediately how He has put me in a position where this year I have been reducing my debt and also saving money and giving as the Lord leads. When I saw this, I was so very grateful that in this time of great financial difficulty He as blessed me and guided me in my finances! In the Kingdom of God, when we put His Kingdom and His righteousness first, our needs are met. God's Word is true eternally. I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread. Psalm 37:25 NKJV  

I am content with what He provides and lack nothing.  Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. None of what has happened is in my strength and I do not boast of anything I have done, but I must testify of His goodness and provision and say Glory to God!

God is no respecter of persons. His Word is truth to all who seek Him. Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation He accepts those who fear Him and do what is right." Acts 10:24-25  

I'll share another example. Recently, I heard a woman say that she'd been praying for a godly man for over twenty years and He had never answered her. She said she was getting tired of waiting, now that she was over 60 years old, and God owed her those years! While I understand her frustration and weariness, it sounds like she was seeking a husband (that was her focus) and not seeking after God's Kingdom and His righteousness first. We pray, we tell the Lord God the desire of our heart, but we focus on God's Kingdom and His righteousness. We want more of Him and to be more like Him and we trust that in His time we will receive the desire of our heart. Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:3-5 NKJV Again, God's Word is true, He cannot lie, because if He said it, it WILL come to pass. 

When I was dating, I could see that I was going in the wrong direction fast. I repented, and prayed, "Father forgive me, I'm making a mess of this and that is not Your will for me. Remove everyone who is not Your will from my life and show me to the man You have for me." I did not ask Him to show me the man, but for Him to show me to the man. The first thing that happened was that everyone I had been communicating with disappeared! My phone went silent. It was so clearly a God thing! Not many weeks after, I met my husband and found out that at almost the same time I had prayed, he was praying for the Lord to show him who God had for him to marry. Praise the Lord! We pray, but we SEEK after His righteousness and to live our life as citizens in right standing in the Kingdom! We do not seek or focus or even obsess over what we are praying for. We trust the Lord God to answer our prayer!

But what if He doesn't give us what we ask for? Then we trust Him. This is a hard word, but it is God's Truth:  What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. James 4:1-3  

He knows what is best for us and for His purpose for your life. "For I am God, and there is no one else; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end and the result from the beginning, and from ancient times the things which have not [yet] been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will do all that pleases Me and fulfills My purpose,’" Isaiah 46:9b-10 AMP 

“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

When I don't see answers to my prayers or I feel "under attack" I evaluate myself as to whether I am seeking after His Kingdom and His righteousness first. If I believe that I am and don't see an area I need to repent of, I trust Him that there is a reason. He sees all and knows all and that gives me peace.

I want to always have that master key of Matthew 6:33 stored in my heart and soul. Every day, in all I do, I want to have all access in His Kingdom, and you can also!

​Be a Kingdom light shining in the darkness,

Deborah Luchie
​
www.kingdomcitizens.org
All scriptures are NLT unless otherwise noted.

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.

How you see the Lord God determines the level at which He will operate in your life.
 
If you see Him as a friend, He will operate in your life as a friend. But if you see Him as the one true God, Creator of all, Healer, Deliverer, Provider, Protector, Father, Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent; you will see His supernatural power operating in your life! Even the Lord Jesus was limited in Nazareth because the people could only see Him as the son of Mary and Joseph, the carpenter. He was “just a guy from the neighborhood”.  Jesus left that part of the country and returned with His disciples to Nazareth, His hometown. The next Sabbath He began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard Him were amazed. They asked, “Where did He get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?” 
 
Then they scoffed, “He’s just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And His sisters live right here among us.”
 
They were deeply offended and refused to believe in Him.
 
Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.” And because of their unbelief, He couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place His hands on a few sick people and heal them. And He was amazed at their unbelief. Mark 6:1-6
 
“They were deeply offended. . .” I can imagine that they probably also added a “Who does he think he is?”! Because of their unbelief, Jesus did very little in Nazareth.

We are in a season where we must have a revelation of the power and glory of the Lord God that is available to us if we will only believe! See with supernatural eyes what is going on in our world. See it for the spiritual battle that it is. This is surely “the time of evil”. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
 
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Gospel so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
 
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:11-18
 
In Psalm 20, it says:  Some trust in chariots (made by man) and some in horses (nature, God’s creation), but we will remember and trust in the name of the Lord our God. Where do you place your trust? It goes on to say:  They have bowed down and fallen; but we have risen and stand upright. Save, Lord! May the King answer us when we call. Psalm 20:7-9 AMP Yes, they have bowed down and fallen but we have risen and stand upright, because we trust in our Lord God and we know that NOTHING is impossible with Him!
 
Satan has saturated our world with fear, control, manipulation and lies that try to undermine the Lord God’s Kingdom principles and Believers’ faith. We have all seen pastors, ministers and believers, that we thought were strong in the faith, fall away. I have seen them leave their ministry and some have even said they don’t believe in God. It is sad and disheartening to see a “leader of the faith” publicly turn away. But they never truly knew Him. If they did, they would see His power in their lives.  They were caught up in “doing ministry” as their career and didn’t actually know the Lord. When you see His power moving in your life, you will never walk away from Him! I have had countless events in my life where I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt “that was my Father God!” Because of that, I boldly say that I will never doubt or walk away. I am a citizen of the Kingdom of God and all of my Father God’s power and authority are available to operate in my life in Jesus’ name!  “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in Me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in My name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask Me for anything in My name, and I will do it!” John 14:12-14
 
 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:18-19 NKJV
 
Do you believe God’s Word? Then you believe that NOTHING will hurt you. You believe that you have been given ALL power over the enemy—Satan and his demons.
 
When I think of the power and authority of our Father, of His Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit which He has given us, I get excited! When you get that revelation, you will not fear the world and all that is in it.
 
Focus your spiritual eyes. See Satan and his demonic angels at work in this world. And the great dragon was thrown down, the age-old serpent who is called the devil and Satan, he who continually deceives and seduces the entire inhabited world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. . . And they overcame and conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, for they did not love their life and renounce their faith even when faced with death. Revelation 12:9 & 11 AMP Most important of all, see your Father God for who He is. Nothing is impossible or too hard for Him! Never allow your unbelief to limit His supernatural power in your life! You will be victorious over Satan and every weapon he fires at you because of the blood of Jesus on you, the words you speak and your unshakable faith in the Lord God even in the face of death.
 
Satan is a liar and an illusionist. He is already defeated and we are victorious through the Lord Jesus. Satan has absolutely no power in the Kingdom of God. He only prowls around in the world. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion (it’s only an illusion), looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. 1 Peter 5:8-9a
 
I have “scripture bombs” going off in my mind! Every time I write a little bit, the Holy Spirit gives me more! Fill your mind with God’s Word. Get to know Him better through His Word. If you do, you will see His hand on your life. Your prayers will be more fruitful and powerful. Walk in the power and authority of your Father God. Little children (believers, dear ones), you are of God and you belong to Him and have [already] overcome them [the agents of the antichrist]; because He who is in you is greater than he (Satan) who is in the world [of sinful mankind]. They [who teach twisted doctrine] are of the world and belong to it; therefore they speak from the [viewpoint of the] world [with its immoral freedom and baseless theories—demanding compliance with their opinions and ridiculing the values of the upright], and the [gullible one of the] world listens closely and pays attention to them. 1 John 4:4-5 AMP
 
Yes! Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or intimidated. The Lord God is with you wherever you go! (Joshua 1:9)
 
So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

Be ready,

Deborah Luchie
​
www.kingdomcitizens.org
All scriptures are NLT unless otherwise noted.

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.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls.  For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 AMP
 
How do you know if you are fulfilling God’s purpose for your life? How do you stay on track? What if that purpose is something you can’t even imagine in your mind right now? Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. . .” Ephesians 3:20 NKJV The only way to accurately fulfill God’s purpose in your life is to be guided by and submitted to the Holy Spirit!
 
His yoke is easy and His burden is light because of the Holy Spirit working in us!
 
Let’s say you feel called to be in ministry.  Too often, we make a list of the things we need to do to go into ministry:  Go to a Bible college or theological seminary, meet and talk to lots of people. Share your vision for your ministry or church, raise funds to start a church or fund your ministry, get followers, volunteers, etc. But doing it in our own strength and limited knowledge can get you a manmade ministry!
 
The first thing we should do if we feel called to be in ministry is pray and listen to the Holy Spirit.  But when the Father sends the Advocate as My representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. John 14:26   One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way. Acts 13:2-3 Yes, if we will listen, the Holy Spirit will guide us to fulfill God’s purpose! He is truly our Governor—our GPS—to guide us in life.
 
Another way the Lord God guides us is through His provision. Where God leads, He provides. Inversely, if that ministry is in a constant state of lack, it is time to seek Him for direction. We may have gotten off-track or He may be leading us into a new thing. Read how the Lord led Elijah by provision and lack:   And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand,  there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.”
 
 Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying,  “Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.”
 
So he went and did according to the word of the Lord, for he went and stayed by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook. And it happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
 
Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying,  “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” 1 Kings 17:1-9 NKJV The Lord God would have kept the Brook Cherith flowing and the bread and meat coming, if it were His will for Elijah to stay there. But God’s next assignment for Elijah was to minister to the widow and her son. Elijah’s provision was already planned for in his next assignment.
 
Your provision is already prepared and placed in your next assignment. If you are struggling and stressing in lack, seek Him for that next assignment! His yoke is easy and His burden is light. It is only through His strength and His guidance that we can do all that He has called us to do.
 
Without being totally submitted to the Lord and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we end up with a manmade ministry. A manmade ministry may be successful because of entertainment, talent, skills, charisma, and man’s abilities.
 
Sadly, they don’t need God, but use His name.
 
Whether a success or a failure in the eyes of man, the fruit of a manmade ministry will ultimately be stress, pride, arrogance, sin, exhaustion, depression, anger, emptiness and ultimately separation for God our Father. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the Kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.  Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’  And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV
 
We have the wrong mindset when we think of being in ministry as a vocation. For some, it will be. But for most Kingdom citizens, it is an assignment we gladly "volunteer" for. We all have a God given purpose and many assignments to fulfill that purpose; but the vocation the Lord uses to provide our income may be a secular job or career. If we stop looking at ministry as the way to make our living, it will be far easier to be led by the Holy Spirit. Our vision may become clouded by financial burdens and desires.  Open your mind to what ministry is! My husband and I are examples of what I am saying here. We have been teaching people about the Kingdom of God through this website for almost a decade now. God has always provided for all our needs, though not through the ministry. Through the ministry, He has always provided for the costs of the ministry. My husband wanted to teach people about the Kingdom of God. One day, the Holy Spirit gave me the idea of building a website.

I had never even thought about building a website before! But God!
 
You will be amazed at what the Lord God will do through you if you submit to His Will. Don’t focus on money and don’t try to put ministry in a familiar box! The God who created you knows what you are able to do more than you do. He has assignments for you that you cannot even comprehend yet. He created mankind with DNA unique to each individual. Why would there be limitations on His assignments in His Kingdom? 
 
When Jesus sent His disciples out in ministry, He told them who to minister to, where to go, how to behave, what to say and what to take with them. He gave them authority to cast out demons, and heal every disease and sickness. (Not even a mention of an "armor bearer"!) I wonder how many people would dive into ministry if this is what they were told before they went:
 
Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: “Don’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, but only to the people of Israel—God’s lost sheep.  Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!
 
“Don’t take any money in your money belts—no gold, silver, or even copper coins. Don’t carry a traveler’s bag with a change of clothes and sandals or even a walking stick. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve to be fed.
 
“Whenever you enter a city or village, search for a worthy person and stay in his home until you leave town.  When you enter the home, give it your blessing.  If it turns out to be a worthy home, let your blessing stand; if it is not, take back the blessing.  If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave. I tell you the truth, the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah will be better off than such a town on the judgment day.
 
“Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.  But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues.  You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are My followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about Me.  When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time.  For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”  Matthew 10:5-20 Wow! What an assignment!

Assignments:  Some are positioned in front of the people to lead and teach. Some are placed among the people to nurture, disciple and care for them. Some are placed behind the people to clean up, gather what is left behind and bring order. Whatever the assignment may be, the burden is light when it is His assignment and purpose for you. He has already prepared everything you will need to fulfill it. 

Be ready,

Deborah Luchie
​
www.kingdomcitizens.org
All scriptures are NLT unless otherwise noted.

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.

In order for a contract to be legally binding, there must be “consideration” for both parties.  Consideration is basically what each party is getting from the contract.  If you get a loan for the car, fulfillment of the contract means that the bank gets the money and you get a car. In a situation where only one person benefits, you don’t really have a contract.
 
God has been showing me how, in His Word...His Kingdom Constitution, His promises to us are like contracts, but most of the time when Christians quote those promises they leave off what we are to do to “fulfill the contract”.
 
All too often, our image of God is more like Santa Clause or a magician.  God is a God of order and obedience.  He requires us to do our part…to give what we have...to do as He asks.  In John 2, when Jesus turned the water into wine, He told the servants to fill the jars with water.  They did as He asked and He then turned the water into wine. Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, He said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed His instructions.

When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!” John 2:6-10
 
In 1 Kings 17, Elijah went to the widow at Zarephath and asked her to fix him something to eat.  God’s promise to her was that if she took the last of her flour and oil to fix bread for the prophet her oil and flour would not run out until the drought ended.  She did as she was told to and gave the last of her food and God fulfilled His part of the “contract”.  She did not run out of oil or flour.  A truck didn’t show up with a year’s supply of flour and oil…no, her containers just never were empty! But she said, “I swear by the Lord your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.”

But Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you’ve said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what’s left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!”

So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah. 1 Kings 17:12-16
 
In 2 Kings 4 Elisha went to help a widow woman.  He asked what she had in the house.  She had a little oil.  He told her and her sons to go to the neighbors and bring all the jars they could gather.  When they had done that, he told her to fill the jars from the oil container she had.  THEY gathered the jars, SHE poured the oil and it did not stop until she had run out of jars. “What can I do to help you?” Elisha asked. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?”

“Nothing at all, except a flask of olive oil,” she replied.

And Elisha said, “Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbors. Then go into your house with your sons and shut the door behind you. Pour olive oil from your flask into the jars, setting each one aside when it is filled.”

So she did as she was told. Her sons kept bringing jars to her, and she filled one after another. Soon every container was full to the brim!

“Bring me another jar,” she said to one of her sons.

“There aren’t any more!” he told her. And then the olive oil stopped flowing.

When she told the man of God what had happened, he said to her, “Now sell the olive oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on what is left over.” 2 Kings 4:2-7
 
Here are some other examples of God’s “scriptural contracts” with us (with our part of the contract underlined):
 
Matthew 6:33  But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you
 
2 Chronicles 7:14  If my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
 
Psalm 37:4  Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.
 
Philippians 4:6-7  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
 
Malachi 3: 10  Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it."
 
Proverbs 1:33  But all who listen to Me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.”
 
Romans 10:9  If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
 
God’s Word is true…He cannot lie.  God doesn’t breach the contracts He has made with us, we do.  As you read your Bible, I encourage you to see His many “contracts”—promises—with us.  See what our part is, don’t just quote the part that refers to the blessing He has for us.  If you do what He says to do…give what He says to give, use what He says to use, He will do what He says He will do!  

As Elisha said, I will say to you: “Tell me, what do you have in the house?”

​​Be ready,

Deborah Luchie
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www.kingdomcitizens.org
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