Kingdom Citizens
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    • What is a Kingdom? >
      • Understanding the Kingdom Concept Part 1 >
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      • The First Kingdom, and Its Origin
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      • Understanding the Kingdom Concept of Territory
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      • The Name Christian Is Neither God Sent Nor God Given
      • The Unshakable Kingdom >
        • The Unshakable Kingdom Pt 2
        • The Unshakable Kingdom and Unchanging Person
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      • God's Constitution is Not a Buffet
      • Religion Versus Kingdom
      • Understand His Message and True Purpose
      • Everything That God Created Has Potential >
        • Living an Effective Life
        • Staying Connected to Your Source Part 1 >
          • Staying Connected to Your Source Part 2
          • Staying Connected to Your Source-Part 3
          • Staying Connected to Your Source- Part 4
          • Staying Connected to Your Source Part 5
        • The Redeeming of Your Body
      • Being Obedient, Is Much More Important Than Sacrifice
      • We Must Preach the Gospel of the Kingdom
      • How Did We Lose the Gospel of the Kingdom?
      • The Unchanging Individual and the Unshakable Kingdom
      • Violating Kingdom Laws and Principles
    • The Kingdom and It's Personnel
    • We Are Citizens of a New Country
    • The Kingdom Concept of Lord
    • In God's Kingdom, We Are Sons and Daughters, Not Servants
    • A King Speaks About His Kingdom >
      • Characteristics of a King
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      • A King and His Kingdom
      • He is King and Lord--Part 1 >
        • He is King and Lord--Part 2
      • The Returning of the King and His Kingdom
    • The Birth of the Kingdom--Dominion Authority
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    • The Experience of Living Under a Lord--Part 1 >
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      • What Gospel Are You Preaching?
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      • God's Priority and Assignment for Mankind
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    • The Son of Man and the Ancient of Days
    • He Came Under the Cover of Darkness
    • It is Just What it is, the Good News of the Kingdom Pt 1 >
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      • The Bible is the Constitution of God's Kingdom
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    • Kingdom Perspective: The Eternal Message Pt 2
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  • Kingdom Knowledge
    • This is What the Kingdom is Like
    • Christianity, a Religion, vs Kingdom Government
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    • It Was a Lost Concept
    • The Government of Man Vs the Kingdom of God Pt 1 >
      • The Government of Man Vs the Kingdom of God Pt 2
      • The Government of Man Vs the Kingdom of God Pt 3
    • Condemning is Not Our Responsibility >
      • Condemning is Not Our Responsibility Pt 2
    • Forgiven From Your Past Life
    • His Kingdom is Here
    • Mankind is Prone to Drift From the Truth
    • The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand
    • Diluting the Kingdom Message While Being Deceived
    • Believers Who Are Blinded, Distracted and Deceived >
      • Believers Who Are Blinded, Distracted and Deceived Pt 2
    • Removing Religion From a Kingdom Mindset
    • He Rules and Reigns: Citizenship in Kingdom Government
    • Giving and Baptism in the Kingdom
    • Mankind, the Glory of His Creaton
    • A Sacrifice of Praise
    • Only One Culture, One Mindset and One Spirit
    • The World Loves its Own, But We Belong to Him
    • What is Your Status and Reward?
    • Your Philosophy Determines Your Thoughts
    • Your Eternal Future Hinges on His Promise
    • Mankind's Refusal to Answer to His Creator
    • Your Faith in the King and His Word
    • It is a Fallen World
    • Understanding the BIG Picture
    • His Name is Jesus, Immanuel
    • His Enduring Word
    • The Jeopardy of Being Rich
  • Kingdom 101
    • Kingdom 101: You Must First Be Reborn
    • Kingdom 101: The Kingdom is One
    • Kingdom 101: Down Through Time >
      • Kingdom 101: Right Time
    • Kingdom 101: The Promise of Recovery
    • Kingdom 101: The Motivation of Creation
    • Kingdom 101: God's Idea of Colonization
    • Kingdom 101: What is Dominion?
    • Kingdom 101: The Spirit of Dominion Part 1 >
      • Kingdom 101: The Spirit of Dominion Pt 2
    • Kingdom 101: Let Them Have Dominion
    • Kingdom 101: Disobedience Is an Act of Treason
    • Kingdom 101: The Lord God Promised a Kingdom
    • Kingdom 101: His Intent of the Original Kingdom
    • Kingdom 101: He Restored What Man Lost
    • Kingdom 101: We Are Sons Not Servants
    • Kingdom 101: We Are Government Citizens, Not Religious Members
    • Kingdom 101: Your Relationship or Your Religion
    • Kingdom 101: He Rules the Visible World From the Invisible Realm
    • Kingdom 101: He is the King of the Invisible and Visible Worlds
    • Kingdom 101: You--Mankind--Were Created to Rule
    • Kingdom 101: Kingdom of Kings >
      • Kingdom 101: Kingdom of Kings Pt 2
    • Kingdom 101: The Lord God's Contract with Man
    • Kingdom 101: Born to Rule, Not to be Ruled or Controlled
    • Kingdom 101: Man Shall Manage Earth, It's the King's Law >
      • Kingdom 101: Man Shall Manage Earth, It's the King's Law Pt 2
    • Kingdom 101: The Lord God Requires a Body
    • Kingdom 101: Building a Kingdom Mentality
    • Kingdom 101: Anti-Kingdom Perspective
    • Kingdom 101: Rulers Become the Ruled
    • Kingdom 101: New Birth, But Not Converted
    • Kingdom 101: A Complete Change of Mentality
    • Kingdom 101: Making Preparations for the King >
      • Kingdom 101: Making Preparation for the King Pt 2
      • Kingdom 101: Making Preparation for the King Pt 3
    • Kingdom 101: The Image of a King
  • Kingdom 101: King and Kingdom
    • Kingdom 101: The Essence of a Kingdom and Its King
    • Kingdom 101: A World Just for You
    • Kingdom 101: Conflicting Kingdoms
  • Kingdom 102: The Kingdom of God is Relevant
    • Kingdom 102: How Do You Enter? >
      • Kingdom 102: Honoring His Son in the Kingdom
    • Kingdom 102: Applying the Kingdom
    • Kingdom 102: A Kingdom Focus on the Beatitudes
    • Kingdom 102: Staying Focused on His Word in Time of Conflict
    • Kingdom 102: Principles of the Kingdom
    • Kingdom 102: The Invasion From Heaven >
      • Kingdom 102: The Divine Confrontation
    • Kingdom 102: Violence and the Kingdom
    • Kingdom 102: Setting Priorities While Living in Two Kingdoms >
      • Kingdom 102: A Clash of Cultures
      • Kingdom 102: Characteristic of Kingdom Culture
      • Kingdom 102: Citizens Represent Their Kingdom and Culture
    • Kingdom 102: Kingdom Government Principles >
      • Kingdom 102: The Kingdom Government and the Republic
      • Kingdom 102: Carrying Out the King's Policies and Principles
      • Kingdom 102: Fusing a Kingdom With a Democracy
    • Kingdom 102: Mankind's Knowledge
    • Kingdom 102: Information: Knowledge From the King >
      • Kingdom 102: Information--Knowledge From the King Pt 2
    • Kingdom 102: Kingdoms and Their Battles
    • Kingdom 102: Knowledge, the Key >
      • Kingdom 102: Knowledge is Very Important
    • Kingdom 102: Seek the Kingdom, Encourage One Another >
      • Kingdom 102: Seek the Kingdom, A Divine Command
    • Kingdom 102: Light in Dark Places >
      • Kingdom 102: Kingdom of Light or Darkness?
      • Kingdom 102: Where Are the Ambassadors? >
        • Kingdom 102: The Power of an Ambassador >
          • Kingdom 102: The Ambassador's Influence
        • Kingdom 102: Surrendering Our Heavenly Passport
        • Kingdom 102: A Break in Diplomatic Relations
      • Kingdom 102: We Are Prisoners In a Foreign Land >
        • Kingdom 102: Mankind's Full Pardon
      • Kingdom 102: The Coming of His Man >
        • Kingdom 102: The Kingdom and His Birth
        • Kingdom 102: Understanding His Mission, Purpose and Who He Is
        • Kingdom 102: Purpose >
          • Kingdom 102: His Original Mission and Purpose
      • Kingdom 102: Developing a Kingdom Concept >
        • Kingdom 102: Meditate on These Kingdom Principles
      • Kingdom 102: His Assignment, Preach the Kingdom >
        • Kingdom 102: Preach and Teach the Gospel of the Kingdom
      • Kingdom 102: The Kingdom is Power >
        • Kingdom 102: Representing the King: The Power of Our Position
      • Kingdom 102: Restoring the Kingdom and Its Mission Statement >
        • Kingdom 102: The Kingdom Reintroduced Pt 1 >
          • Kingdom 102: The Kingdom Reintroduced Pt 2
        • Kingdom 102: God's Plan to Restore Our Place
      • Kingdom 102: Preparation for the Counselor (Holy Spirit) >
        • Kingdom 102: Preparing for the Indwelling
      • Kingdom 102: A New Order is Here, in the Last Stage >
        • Kingdom 102: The New World Order
        • Kingdom 102: The New Order and Its Citizens
      • Kingdom 102: The Final Process: Becoming One With the Holy Spirit
      • Kingdom 102: The Kingdom is the Good News Pt 1 >
        • Kingdom 102: The Kingdom is the Good News Pt 2
  • Kingdom 102: Knowing How to Apply the Kingdom Concept
  • Kingdom 103: Believe in Me
    • Kingdom 103: The King's Viewpoint of Giving
    • Kingdom 103: If You Can Believe in Him
    • Kingdom 103: Trusting in Mankind While Believing in God's Word? >
      • Kingdom 103: Your Faith is Essential in the Kingdom
    • Kingdom 103: The Division of Mankind
    • Kingdom 103: They Praise Him, But Fail to Obey Him >
      • Kingdom 103: The King's Will and the King's Word
    • Kingdom 103: Know Your Purpose While on This Earth >
      • Kingdom 103: Your Goals, His Purpose...and Then What?
  • Kingdom 103: He Needs No Assistance in Keeping His Promise
    • Kingdom 103: Honoring the Father Through the Son
    • Kingdom 103: Standing on His Promises >
      • Kingdom 103: Spreading Your Culture >
        • Kingdom 103: Living in the Kingdom Culture
    • Kingdom 103: Power and Authority in His Name
    • Kingdom 103: Many Little Kingdoms, But Only One is True
    • Kingdom 103: What Does it Mean to Lead? >
      • Kingdom 103: Kingdom Citizens Are Examples
    • Kingdom 103: Persistent and Consistent!
    • Kingdom 103: Student or Disciple of the Kingdom? >
      • Kingdom 103: Student or Disciple of the Kingdom? Pt 2
      • Kingdom 103: Student or Disciple of the Kingdom? Pt 3
    • Kingdom 103: Dare To Be Obedient
    • Kingdom 103: On What Foundation Does Your Faith Stand?
    • Kingdom 103: The Kingdom Mindset of Authority
  • Kingdom 103: Seven Last Days Churches and Their Believers' Characteristics
    • Kingdom 103: Ephesus, Its Believers' Characteristics >
      • Kingdom 103: Ephesus, Its Believers' Characteristics Pt 2
    • Kingdom 103: Smyrna, Its Believers' Characteristics
    • Kingdom 103: Pergamos, The Compromising Church
    • Kingdom 103: Thyatira, Its Believers' Characteristics >
      • Kingdom 103: Thyatira, Its Believers' Characteristics Pt 2
    • Kingdom 103: Sardis, Its Believers' Characteristics
    • Kingdom 103: Philadelphia, Its Believers' Characteristics >
      • Kingdom 103: Philadelphia, Its Believers' Characteristics Pt 2
    • Kingdom 103: Laodicea, The Lukewarm Church
  • Kingdom 103: Reconsidering the End Times
    • Kingdom 103: When Will the End Come?
    • Kingdom 103: He Came Under the Cloak of Darkness
    • Kingdom 103: Authorized Power for the Heavenly Government
    • Kingdom 103: Never Assume in Marriage Pt 1 >
      • Kingdom 103: Never Assume in Marriage Pt 2
      • Kingdom 103: Love in Marriage Needs to be Refreshed
    • Kingdom 103: Fatherlessness, the Source of Disobedience and Sin
    • Kingdom 103: Simple Made Complicated >
      • Kingdom 103: The Simplicity of the Kingdom Gospel
    • Kingdom 103: Life Beyond the Door >
      • Kingdom 103: Kingdom Culture Displayed to the Blind
      • Kingdom 103: What Gospel Are You Preaching? >
        • Kingdom 103: What Gospel Are You Preaching? Pt 2
      • Kingdom 103: He is Alive and Well
    • Kingdom 103: The Unchanging Person and the Unshakable Kingdom >
      • Kingdom 103: Who or What is Your god?
      • Kingdom 103: Focused and Unshakable >
        • Kingdom 103: Staying Focused on Your Purpose Pt 1 >
          • Kingdom 103: Staying Focused on Your Purpose Pt 2
        • Kingdom 103: Staying Focused on Kingdom Priorities
    • Kingdom 103: Be Encouraged Through Difficult Times
    • Kingdom 103: Singleness, Divorce and the Results Pt 1 >
      • Kingdom 103: Singleness, Divorce and the Results Pt 2
      • Kingdom 103: Singleness From God's Viewpoint
      • Kingdom 103: God Presents, You Choose
    • Kingdom 103: Forgiveness, Always a Priority
    • Kingdom 103: Kingdom Principles Are Relevant to Our Way of Life
    • Kingdom 103: Religion and the Kingdom
    • Kingdom 103: The House Where God Lives
    • Kingdom 103: The Indwelling of His Spirit (the Governor)
    • Kingdom 103: In the Kingdom, They are Filled with His Spirit >
      • Kingdom 103: Who Is the Holy Spirit?
      • Kingdom 103: The Holy Spirit is for All Humanity >
        • Kingdom 103: Return Of the Governor
        • Kingdom 103: Leaning On the Governor
        • Kingdom 103: Where Does the Governor Reside?
        • Kingdom 103: The Governor is Meant For All
        • Kingdom 103: The Holy Spirit is Your Guide and Teacher
        • Kingdom 103: Your Legacy and the Kingdom
  • Kingdom 104: Misrepresenting the Kingdom Gospel
    • Kingdom 104: The Misrepresentation of the Kingdom
    • Kingdom 104: Earthly Holidays Misrepresent the Kingdom
    • Kingdom 104: Being Misrepresented
    • Kingdom 104: His Name is All Authority and Power >
      • Kingdom 104: His Law, the Source of All His Principles and Truth
    • Kingdom 104: Failing to Know Your Kingdom Assignment Brings Boredom
    • Kingdom 104: The Purpose of the Sabbath--Rest and Teach >
      • Kingdom 104: The Sabbath or Seventh Day God's Way >
        • Kingdom 104: The Sabbath or Seventh Day God's Way Pt 2
    • Kingdom 104: Living in the Kingdom Culture >
      • Kingdom 104: Your Eternal Foundation Will Sustain You
    • Kingdom 104: The Diluting of the Kingdom Message
    • Kingdom 104: Detoxing Your Mind
    • Kingdom 104: Being Deceived From Your True Identity Pt 1 >
      • Kingdom 104: Being Deceived From Your True Identity Pt 2
      • Kingdom 104: Being Deceived Without a Solid Foundation
    • Kingdom 104: What Profit Has Righteousness in the Kingdom? Pt 1 >
      • Kingdom 104: What Profit Has Righteousness in the Kingdom? Pt 2
    • Kingdom 104: Christianity Misrepresents the Kingdom Pt 1 >
      • Kingdom 104: Christianity Misrepresents the Kingdom Pt 2
    • Kingdom 104: A Focused Representative of the Kingdom
    • Kingdom 104: Where Are the Masculine-Thinking Men? Ch 1 Pt 1 >
      • Kingdom 104: Where Are the Masculine-Thinking Men? Ch 1 Pt 2
      • Kingdom 104: Where Are the Masculine-Thinking Men? Ch 1 pt 3
    • Kingdom 104: Masculine-Minded Men of the Kingdom Government Pt 1 >
      • ​Kingdom 104: Masculine-Minded Men of the Kingdom Government Pt 2
    • Kingdom 104: The Benefits of Understanding the Simplicity of the Kingdom
    • Kingdom 104: The Benefits of Discernment
    • Kingdom 104: Is it Lust not Love?
  • Kingdom Living
    • Embracing a Kingdom Lifestyle
    • The Kingdom Is the Crux of the Problem Pt 1
    • The Kingdom Is the Crux of the Problem Pt 2
    • Life Inside the Door of the Kingdom
    • Establishing Priorities For Success
    • An Invisible Kingdom and Citizenship
    • The Power and Privilege of Citizenship >
      • Becoming a Kingdom Citizen Part 1 >
        • Becoming a Kingdom Citizen Pt 2
      • Our Citizenship
      • Dual Citizenship Pt 1 >
        • Dual Citizenship Pt 2
      • Principles of Citizenship
    • The Kingdom of God is Within You Pt 1 >
      • The Kingdom of God is Within You Pt 2
      • The Kingdom of God is Within You Pt 3
    • The Authority and Source of Our Being >
      • Focusing On the Correct Source
    • Experiencing the Kingdom of God on Earth
    • The God of the Kingdom and His Concept
    • The Sons of the Kingdom of God
    • The Same Kingdom Message
    • Kingdom Citizen, not "Christian"--What's In a Name?
    • The Source of Your Foundation for Life
    • What is Your Motive?
    • Reminiscing Through History
    • Facing Life Successfully and Effectively Pt 1 >
      • Facing Life Successfully and Effectively Pt 2
    • The Power of Motive and Faith in God's Word
    • Your Faith in Jesus the Christ: the Work of God >
      • Your Faith in Jesus the Christ: the Work of God Pt 2
    • The Challenges of Your Faith In God's Written Word
  • Marriage
    • Kingdom Principles of Marriage
    • Marriage is Still God's Idea
    • Is Sex the Primary Purpose for Marriage?
    • God Created Marriage as a Foundational Institution
    • The Misconception of Marriage
    • Populating the Earth Wasn't the Primary Purpose of Marriage
    • Marriage--When Two Histories Collide
  • Kingdom Citizenship
    • Citizenship-- Part 1 >
      • Citizenship Pt 2--Becoming a Kingdom Citizen
      • Citizenship Pt 3-The Concept of Dual Citizenship
      • Citizenship Pt 4: The Invisible Citizenship
    • Colonization: The Concept >
      • The Colonial Intent of God
    • The Government of God and Democracy >
      • The Priority of God
    • The Kingdom Versus the Government of Man >
      • The Kingdom Versus the Government of Man Pt 2
  • Kingdom Questions & Answers
    • What Is Your Place in the Kingdom?
    • The Good News Is the Kingdom
    • The Origin and Purpose For Man
    • The Birth of the Kingdom, The Spirit of Dominion >
      • A Promised Kingdom
      • Sons or Servants >
        • Standards of a Great Mentor
    • Ruling the Visible World From the Invisible Realm >
      • We Were Born to Rule, But Not Over Each Other
    • A Kingdom of Kings >
      • The Image of a King
      • Building a Kingdom Mentality
      • Servant to the King of Kings
    • What Question Fits Your Crisis?
    • Rediscovering the Kingdom Concept
    • The Kingdom Components
    • Jesus' Assignment Was to Restore the Kingdom
    • The Restoring of Our Place in God's Plan
    • We Are Citizens of a New Order
    • The Kingdom--Preached In Word, Demonstrated In Power
    • The Indwelling Force
    • The Divine Confrontation
  • We Are Heaven's Ambassadors on Earth
    • The Characteristics of an Ambassador
    • The Ambassador's Power and Authority
    • Our Position as Ambassadors
    • Representing the King as Ambassadors
    • King's Policies Should be Carried Out
    • Breaking Diplomatic Relations
    • Surrendering Your Heavenly Passport
  • What Is Culture?
    • Understanding Principles of Kingdom Culture
    • Understanding the Kingdom Concept of Culture Pt 1 >
      • Understanding the Kingdom Concept of Culture Pt 2
      • Understanding the Kingdom Concept of Culture Pt 3
    • Culture, What It Is >
      • Culture, What It Is Pt 2
    • Culture and Its Many Manifestations Part 1 >
      • Culture and Its Many Manifestations Part 2
      • Culture and Its Many Manifestations Part 3
      • Culture and Its Many Manifestations Part 4
    • The Kingdom: Social and Economic Differences
    • Kingdom Culture vs The Culture of Christianity
    • Faith in the Kingdom Culture
    • There Are Three Basic Needs of Mankind
  • Fasting
    • Fasting Guidelines
    • The Effects of Fasting
    • The Three Keys for Kingdom Success
  • Renewing Your Mind
    • Knowledge >
      • Knowledge, Information From the Lord God
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      • Change is a Process
      • The Result of Change
      • He Is Constant In the Midst of Change
      • Change Is Inevitable When Obeying the King's Word
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      • What Do You Put Your Faith In? Part 2
    • Faith in the Written Word and Hardship Pt 1 >
      • Faith In the Written Word and Hardship Pt 2
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      • The Principles and Benefits of Purpose Pt 1 >
        • The Principles and Benefits of Purpose Pt 2
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        • The Principles and Benefits of Purpose Pt 5
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        • The Principles and Benefits of Purpose Pt 7
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      • The Principles for Purpose and Position
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      • The Lord Provides for His Purpose, Not for Our Plans Pt 2
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Choices and Free Will in the Kingdom

10/2/2021

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From the time of creation, the Lord God gave mankind the freedom to choose. It is an essential concept of the Kingdom of God that we must understand. It is clear that the Lord God did not want mindless robots as His creation, only be capable of doing His Will with no other choice. He wants us to choose to obey Him, love Him and spend time in His presence. I can understand that! If you love someone, you would also want them to freely love you back. I want my adult children to freely seek me out; to want to spend time with me, not out of obligation. There is no joy in someone being forced to love you!
 
There was Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, living in Heaven on earth, and the Lord God gave them only one “test” to obey or disobey Him.  The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden—except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” Genesis 2:15-17  You would think that is easy compared to all the choices we must make today. Yet, they make the wrong choice!
 
We often hear “God is in control”, but the truth is that God gave mankind control when He gave us the freedom to choose. We must seek His help and ask for His intervention in a situation. We make a choice and pray about it. “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!” Deuteronomy 30:15-19 Can you hear the Lord God’s heart for mankind? He wants us to choose Him. He wants us to want to worship Him and obey His commandments. But if we don’t, He clearly lays out the consequences:  (Further reading Deuteronomy 28) Don't throw out the Old Testament. Remember that the Old Testament shows us God’s character. It shows us His “heart” toward mankind. When He sent Jesus, the Lord God’s character didn’t change.
 
The Lord God doesn’t “make” you do anything. You have a choice. Satan can’t “make” you do anything either! You have a choice. Make your choices with that in mind. We’ve all heard the saying “the devil made me do it” but we know that is just a joke! If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. 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 10:12-13
 
Our society today would like you to feel like a victim, rather than seeing the bad choices, errors in judgment, that have placed us in the midst of some bad consequences. Sometimes the only way out of a bad situation is to see our bad choices, repent and change what we are doing! Seed—time—and harvest doesn’t only refer to money or crops. It refers to every choice, every decision, every action we do. Seek out God’s Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit in every decision.
 
Jesus replied, “All who love Me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and We will come and make Our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love Me will not obey Me. And remember, My words are not My own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent Me. I am telling you these things now while I am still with You. 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 14:23-26 It is the Holy Spirit—our Governor—who will lead us to make good choices if we will only listen.
 
Today, I am building a foundation, a solid foundation upon which you can stand. Every time you make a choice that is in line with God’s Constitution, your self-control fruit of the Spirit will grow. You will become stronger in the Kingdom and more able to withstand the attacks of our enemy, Satan. He wants to tempt you to make the wrong choice and separate you from the Lord God. It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, He has turned away and will not listen anymore. Isaiah 59:2 NLT I don’t ever want my Father to turn away from me and not listen to me anymore!
 
Here are more foundational “scripture bricks”:
 
Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not!  Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.  
 
Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.
 
Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy.
 
When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:15-23
 
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. John 10:27-28 NKJV
 
Anyone who does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother!” Matthew 12:50
 
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent His own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.
 
Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.
 
But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to Him at all.) Romans 8:1-9 

 
But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

Kingdom citizens are well able, with the power and strength of the Holy Spirit working in them and through them, to make choices that line up with God’s Word. The more you do this, the stronger you will become. In our present world, we need that strength!
 
The Lord is close to all who call on Him, yes, to all who call on Him in truth. He grants the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cries for help and rescues them. The Lord protects all those who love Him, but He destroys the wicked. Psalm 145:18-20
 
But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you [setting you on a firm foundation] and will protect  and guard you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 AMP
 
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Ephesians 6:10

 
Your heavenly Father loves you and gives you the freedom to choose to love and obey Him or reject Him.
 
The choice is yours.

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.
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Religious Debates and Arguments Are Unfruitful

1/25/2021

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Apologetics is a religious concept, not one instructed by the Lord Jesus. When Jesus sent His disciples out, He did not give them the assignment of defending Him to the world. He did not tell them to convince people to accept Him as their Savior and to embrace the Kingdom of God. He did not teach them how to argue or debate their beliefs. They did not have to prove that Jesus was the Son of God. He IS the Son of God whether they believe or not! This is what He told them:  And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Do not take gold, or silver, or [even] copper money in your money belt, or a provision bag for your journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker deserves his support.  Whatever city or village you enter, ask who in it is worthy [who welcomes you and your message], and stay at his house until you leave [that city]. As you go into the house, give it your greeting [that is, ‘Peace be to this house’]. If [the family living in] the house is worthy [welcoming you and your message], give it your [blessing of] peace [that is, a blessing of well-being and prosperity, the favor of God]. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace. Whoever does not welcome you, nor listen to your message, as you leave that house or city, shake the dust [of it] off your feet [in contempt, breaking all ties]. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that city [since it rejected the Messiah’s messenger]. Matthew 10:11-15 AMP
 
The parable of the banquet is an example of how we are to present the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and our Savior and Lord Jesus. We prepare and present—we set the table and prepare the food—but those we tell are free to accept or reject what we are giving them. Jesus said, “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’ But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’
 

“The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, ‘Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ After the servant had done this, he reported, ‘There is still room for more.’ So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.’” Luke 14:16-24
 
Religious debates focus on denominational rules and their interpretation of the Bible. If there is one thing I’ve learned in my lifetime, it is that arguments are pointless and do very little to change the other person’s mind. Arguments and debates are vain and pointless. Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time. If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. For people like that have turned away from the truth, and their own sins condemn them. Titus 3:9-11
 
Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants. 2 Timothy 2:23-26
 

You cannot “debate” anyone to true repentance and salvation. You cannot debate anyone into believing that Jesus is the Son of God and our Savior. That takes the Holy Spirit. I believe that when we don’t truly understand the Holy Spirit and the line between where our responsibilities end and what the Holy Spirit “handles”, we feel the need to debate and convince people, doing it in our own strengths and abilities. We are to present the Gospel, the Holy Spirit draws them and prepares their hearts. No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. John 6:44-45 NKJV 

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
 
The Lord God wants all to be saved, but they—of their own free will and not under compulsion—must accept Jesus as the Son of God, their Savior. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the Truth. For there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave His life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. 1 Timothy 2:3-6
 

So then, if we aren’t to convince people to be saved or debate with those who don’t believe as we do, what should we do to spread the Gospel? Tell people about Jesus. Tell them about the Kingdom of God that Jesus’ preached. Speak God’s Word into every situation that you can. And most of all let your life be a walking, breathing testimony of what life in the Kingdom is like.

When they see:
  • Your peace in the midst of chaos,
  • Your joy when times are difficult,
  • Your needs being met even in financial difficulty,
  • Your smile no matter what comes your way,
  • They will want what you have! 

You plant the seed but the Holy Spirit brings the rain and the sunshine.  “Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s Word. The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s Word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s Word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” Matthew 13:18-23
 
If you have someone in your life who continually tries to “bait” you into an argument, don’t take the bait. Change the subject, respond briefly or just walk away. Be sure to pray for them and that situation. Let the Holy Spirit do His work in that person. There is a great deal of “baiting” going on in social media these days. Again, don’t take the bait. Just because someone says something antagonizing to you, doesn’t mean you should respond. Silence is the best response. Instead of reacting, take the time you would use to respond and say a prayer for them. Ask the Holy Spirit to draw them to the Lord Jesus. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. Matthew 5:44-45
 

Learning this has set me free from the need do prove my beliefs when others challenge me and try to bait me into an argument. It has set me free to live my life as an example of Kingdom living by God’s Word. The world needs to see Kingdom citizens walking in the power of being Believers! 

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.

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Be Aware of Humanist Christianity

1/4/2020

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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

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Hold Every Thought Captive

12/4/2019

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Dear Fellow Believers,
"Hold every thought captive!" Those words are so powerful! They are the answer to most of our problems. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.  (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) 

Nothing “just happens”, even though we say it does.  How many times have we heard someone explain away sexual immorality of some sort by saying “it just happened”. 

No!  It started with a thought.

In that moment that the thought slid into their conscious mind, they grabbed hold of it.  In that split second, the thought is either embraced or thrown out.  It is hardly even a conscious action.  Once they embrace that thought by thinking about it, meditating on it…yes meditating on it.  That only means to play it over and over in your mind.  When you meditate on scripture, you say that scripture over and over in your mind.  You plant it in your mind.  That also happens with a sinful trap that has been sent to you.  Playing that thought over and over in your mind plants it there.  You begin to fantasize about it--that waters and fertilizes the seed--and it grows and until it becomes an overpowering desire.  Then “it just happens”.

That is only one example.  Most of our problems and emotional misery in our lives starts with a thought that we allow to get planted in our minds.  Fear, anxiety, depression, worry, anger, unforgiveness, bitterness, addictions, bad financial choices, being abusive, criminal behavior, all the way up to murder—all start with a thought that is embraced and allowed to take root in our mind.  Then we feed it and water it by continuing to think about it and even talk about it, until it is so overpowering, we can’t control ourselves! 

To develop self-control and not be controlled by your emotions and desires, when a thought comes to your mind, grab hold of it in your mind.  Now hold that thought up to God’s Word.  How does it measure up?  How does it measure up to your walk with the Lord?  If it doesn’t, immediately cast it out of your mind!  Yes, visualize your hand throwing it far away from you.  Then guard your mind from allowing it back in.  And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.  (Philippians 4:8-9)

Two lies that will defeat you if you believe them:
  • Fantasies are harmless because it is only in your mind and you won't act on them.  FALSE  They will get rooted in your mind and grow to the point of obsession and you will act on those fantasies.
  • You can't truly control your emotions, because that is just how you are.  FALSE  Your emotions serve a purpose, but you must learn to control them and not let them control you.  Self control is a fruit of the Spirit.  It is not a gift of the Spirit, but a fruit.  Fruit must be nurtured and cultivated to mature and be beneficial.  When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

    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 5:19-25)
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​Galatians says it all right there! One step at a time, stepping into a fruitful Kingdom life!  With the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can mature as citizens of the Kingdom.  We don't have to be tossed around by our emotions.  That can be exhausting and bring us so much grief and heartache.

Hold every thought captive.  Then decide if it should be part of who you are or if it should be cast out of your mind. Your mind is not the world's dumping ground!

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

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Out of Control

9/8/2019

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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

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Your Words Are the Framework of Your Life

5/15/2019

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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.
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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."
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"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

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God's Gift of Choices

3/16/2019

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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​​​

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It's Time to Get Serious, People Are Dying

4/21/2018

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Last week, I heard two different news stories on the same day about two young men who killed themselves in our city.  One was barely a teen.  Tragic!  I grieved at the thought that they felt so hopeless and so deceived by the enemy that they ended their young lives.  But this is becoming commonplace. 

Suicides, murders and every kind of horrific crime and perversion you can imagine are becoming more and more common.  Whole families wiped out in murder/suicides.  Then I started to get angry because we, as believers and citizens of the Kingdom of God, have the answer for the chaos and misery in this world but we aren't being walking, talking examples of an abundant Kingdom life!  We keep our light hidden.  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 NLT 

​Those who don't yet know Jesus as their Savior have a hole in their soul that  needs to be filled by the Holy Spirit.  It yearns for God but they try to fill that hunger with everything the world can give them:  food, alcohol, drugs, sex, pain, power and all manner of perversion; trying to quench the hunger in their soul for God.  Satan throws them lots of substitutes.  He has an open field because too many believers have put themselves in a big protective "bubble" so they don't get any of the world on them.  They are entertained in church rather than being discipled to go out into the world and do the work of the Kingdom.  They pride themselves in only listening to Christian music, going to Christian events and only associating with other Christians.  But what good are we if we never live among the rest of the world and show by example what life in the Kingdom can be!  In order to do that, you must have been discipled and full of the Word so you don't slide back into your sinful past.

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do His work and build up the body of Christ.  This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.  Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of His body, the church.  He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. 
Ephesians 4:11-16 NLT

Ministry isn't just handing out tracts.  That isn't very effective today.  The world has seen too much sin and hypocrisy in the church and in Christians.  They don't see anything they want there!  They have to see God's Word operating in our daily lives.  Every person you interact with should see Jesus in you. By the way, this includes when you are driving or dealing with service people!  They should see the fruits of the Spirit blossoming in you, a sweet aroma of peace, joy and self-control (this seems to be a hard one for most!).  But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 NLT 

Please hear my heart on this.  The world without Jesus is miserable.  I don't care what face they put on in public.  They can have money and fame and still be miserable.  There have been times when the Holy Spirit led me to some hard rock music videos and really opened my mind and heart.  I listened to the songs and the words and cried.  Hard to believe, I know!  But it showed me their mindsets and the pain, chaos and despair they felt.  One of the groups was Linkin Park.  They have millions of fans, people practically worship them.  Not long after I saw those videos, the lead singer/songwriter, Chester Bennington commit suicide.  Tragic.  He seemed to have everything the devil could offer him and he was still in such despair that he killed himself.   The Holy Spirit showed me this so clearly and I felt the grief that God must feel when one is lost for eternity.  People cut themselves, take drugs and get drunk, all to ease their emotional pain.  They need to see the peace and joy of Jesus in you.

Yes, it is time to get serious.  Time to stop needing to be entertained at church.  Time to represent your King everywhere you go out in the world.  Time to stop pretending to be like the world.  Time to be Jesus everywhere you go--His hands and His voice. Time to cultivate those fruits of the Spirit seeds that are planted in your spirit. Time to stop living in that Christian bubble and get out among the people who are dying and going to Hell.  Can you imagine what your city would be like if all the citizens of the Kingdom of God represented the Kingdom everywhere they went?  You want to change your city?  Want to win it for the Kingdom of God?  Change yourself and get out there among them!  Oh, and please don't be religious and "churchy" around them.  Be real...be sincere!

​I have given them Your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.  I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.  They do not belong to this world any more than I do.  Make them holy by your truth; teach them Your word, which is Truth.  Just as you sent Me into the world, I am sending them into the world.  And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.

I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.  I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in Me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent Me.

I have given them the glory you gave Me, so they may be one as we are one.  I am in them and you are in Me.  May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent Me and that you love them as much as you love me. 
John 17:14-23 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

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A Word for Believers

3/3/2018

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Jesus didn't come to change the world. He came to save all who would accept Him as their Savior. In turn, their lives would shine for all to see the Kingdom of God through them. That would ultimately change their world! 

During the Welsh revival of 1904-1905, over 150,000 souls were saved!  Bars and jails were empty and the police had very little to do.  Believers didn't push to outlaw alcohol or get tough on crime.  The communities saw the power of the Holy Spirit working through people and repented.  Jesus came into their hearts and they were changed from the inside out.

             It is time for us to stop shoving our morals and standards
                                       down the world's throat!
                 They need to see the Kingdom at work in our lives!

                                        They just need Jesus. 

But all too often, instead of believers showing the world Jesus, they try to force God's laws and principles upon them.  God's Constitution is here to guide and direct believers and show them how to live.  It teaches us how to interact with this world.  We are not here to police the lost and dying of this world.  We are not here to force them to live in a manner that doesn't fit their sinful lives.  That is not salvation!  We are here to be an example and lead them to Jesus Christ. Only He can "fix" them.  Only He cleanses all the sin and unrighteousness from their lives.  Only He can change the desires of their hearts.

If we are living a Kingdom life, they will WANT what we have.  They will ask, in times of great turmoil, how we can have so much peace.  Where do we get our joy, when there is nothing to be happy about?  How did we get through being jobless and still be provided for and have peace?  How is our lives so drama-free?

Yes, we need to be a walking, talking, uncompromising reflection of Jesus and Kingdom living and lead them to Jesus and the life they could be living.  If we can do that, there will be no need to force our morals and standards upon the world. But sometimes it is easier to legislate morality than to give up our pet sins.

In 1 Peter 4:17-18, it says: For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News?  And also, 
“If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?”


​Think about that a moment..."If the righteous are BARELY saved, what will happen to godless sinners?"  That thought alone should bring you to your knees!  We do not have to fight the world and force them to be moral, upright, heterosexual and not follow their lusts, waving the banner "If it feels good, do it!"  No!  We seem to have no problem debating, arguing, protesting and legislating our beliefs.  The problem is that, in our hearts, far too many believers are embracing the world and are unable to truly be examples of what life in the Kingdom looks like.  

The world needs to see uncompromising Kingdom citizens, raising a standard and not being swayed by the world and what it has to offer.  Verse 17 speaks to the crux of the matter:  "For the time has come for judgment, and it MUST begin with God's household." When you live the life of a compromised, carnal believer, you not only affect your life, but the lives of those around you.  How many of your friends, family and co-workers will be lost for eternity because they look at how you live your life as a believer and say "At least I'm not a hypocrite. I may be living like hell, but I'm honest about it!"  

The world is a mess.  It is a cesspool of sin, perversion and every kind of wickedness you could imagine.  You say you want to change the world? Here is the way:

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.  If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it.  But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.  And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? Matthew 16:24-27 NLT  Put your selfish desires and urges on that cross daily.  Die to self so you can live for Him.  People are watching you on their highway to hell.  What are you going to do?

Believe me or dismiss me, but it is time for those who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ to get their house in order.  How?

Repent.  Clean the slate and put the past in the past.

Don't let one day go by without feeding on God's Word; not a popular religious book or the latest from your favorite ministry. Read God's Constitution.  That is your only real TRUTH.  Find scriptures that speak to you and meditate on them.

Get discipled.  Find a mentor whom you respect as being more spiritually mature than you are and spend some time with them, even if it's buying them lunch occasionally and talking.  Be real, be honest about your struggles and  your questions.

Repeat after me, daily if necessary:  "I die to self. It's not about me.  It's about Jesus"

When you get full of God's Word, your faith will get stronger and you will hear from the Holy Spirit more clearly.  When you get full of God's Word, you will shine with Kingdom life everywhere you go.  The more darkness you walk into, the brighter you will shine!

There is a LOT of dim bulbs who call themselves believers.  It's time to shine brightly.  The world is depending on it.  Deep down they want to see someone actually live what they say they believe. Be the one!

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.  
Matthew 5:13-16 NKJV


"Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last." CT Studd

Shine brightly brothers and sisters.  Let no one miss your Kingdom glow!

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

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Manna, Mercy and Grace

2/19/2018

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When God used Moses to lead the Israelites out of the bondage of slavery, rather than being thankful to God, they complained.

​“If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt,” they moaned. “There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death.”  Exodus 16:3 NLT  God could have just put an end to their disobedient complaining right there and sent them back to the bondage of Egypt.  But in His infinite mercy (not getting what they deserve) and grace (getting what they don't deserve) He chose to provide manna from heaven and quail to sustain them.   So the people of Israel did as they were told. Some gathered a lot, some only a little.  But when they measured it out, everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed.

Then Moses told them, “Do not keep any of it until morning.”  But some of them didn’t listen and kept some of it until morning.
(disobedience) But by then it was full of maggots and had a terrible smell. (you find maggots in dead things) Moses was very angry with them...

He told them, “This is what the Lord commanded: Tomorrow will be a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath day set apart for the Lord. So bake or boil as much as you want today, and set aside what is left for tomorrow.”

So they put some aside until morning, just as Moses had commanded. And in the morning the leftover food was wholesome and good, without maggots or odor.
(life in obedience)  Moses said, “Eat this food today, for today is a Sabbath day dedicated to the Lord. There will be no food on the ground today.  You may gather the food for six days, but the seventh day is the Sabbath. There will be no food on the ground that day.”
 
Some of the people went out anyway on the seventh day, but they found no food. The Lord asked Moses, “How long will these people refuse to obey my commands and instructions?  
Exodus 16 read the whole story here 

When we read the story of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, many of us wonder how they could continue grumbling and complaining and being disobedient to God for that long and not understand why they were not able to arrive at Canaan, the Promised land.  But it is actually the same today!  So the people of Israel ate manna for forty years until they arrived at the land where they would settle. They ate manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan.  Exodus 16:35 NLT  God sustained them with manna, but they never entered into the blessings He had promised them.  He showed them mercy and grace and sustained them...period.  They were not permitted to enter into the blessings of God, only to wander in the wilderness they hated.  But God sustained them with manna--His mercy and grace--for 40 years.

Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron,  “How long must I put up with this wicked community and its complaints about me? Yes, I have heard the complaints the Israelites are making against me.  Now tell them this: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord, I will do to you the very things I heard you say.  You will all drop dead in this wilderness! Because you complained against me, every one of you who is twenty years old or older and was included in the registration will die.  You will not enter and occupy the land I swore to give you. The only exceptions will be Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.   Numbers 14:26-30 NLT

Many believers today are doing exactly the same as the Israelites in the wilderness.  They are saved and maybe even go to church, pray and tithe; but still live sinful, disobedient lives.  They gather their daily dose of mercy and grace to sustain them.  They thank God for His mercy and grace that sustains them, not realizing the abundant life they could be living in His Kingdom!  

​Will you "get to heaven" being sustained on mercy and grace?  Maybe.  That's between you and Jesus--not my call.  Will you live an abundant, blessed, fruitful  Kingdom life being sustained on mercy and grace?  No.  There is no abundance in the wilderness of sin and disobedience. There is only "getting by" on manna. 

Do you want to get out of the wilderness?  Do you want to advance from being sustained to blessed, prosperous living?  Also bear in mind, this isn't about being wealthy.  A blessed, prosperous life is a life of peace, with divine health, healthy loving relationships with all our needs met and we are able to meet the needs of others.  If you don't believe that, ask a millionaire who is dying of a terminal illness or who has lost the love of their family and has no relationship with them.  Money is just a tool.

In Hebrews 12, we are told:  "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."  What sin easily trips you up?  What is the thing that causes you to be disobedient to the Father every single time it enters your mind?   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.  I Corinthians 10:13 NLT

I thank God for His grace and mercy.  There were times in my life when that was all that sustained me.  But I knew I couldn't stay there.  I had to advance toward that abundant life He has for me.  If I stayed in the wilderness, being sustained on manna, I would never fulfill His purpose for my life! That would be a tragic waste just because I couldn't become more self-controlled and obedient to His Word.

You have a purpose for being here.  You were born with a mission.  You will never discover it, wandering around in the wilderness being sustained by manna.  Grab hold of that sin that so easily tempts you, cut it off at the root, throw it out and keep moving toward Kingdom living.  You don't want to wake up in 40 years, having spent your whole life fighting the same battle over and over and never getting victory.

May your light shine brighter every day, as you advance in the Kingdom of God!

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


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    Deborah Luchie

    "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden...Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
    ​
    ​This is a new season for us.  After 5+ years, I felt led not only to start a new blog, but to go back to my given name, Deborah.  It is more fitting of this season we are entering. My husband has always called me by my middle name, Arlene, and his family and friends do also.  All of you know me as Arlene.  That is why I am mentioning it here.  I am the same person and love my husband's name for me, but Deborah is who I was born to be.  

    Now, let us go out into the darkness of this world and shine the light of the Kingdom within you, that burns brighter ever day.  That is the only way to overcome the darkness of this world.

    Let your light so shine!

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