Essence is the basic, real and invariable nature of a thing or its significant individual features.  In other words, it's impossible to operate in the Kingdom without it.  Ambassador Paul's letter to the Hebrews made it very clear:  And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.  It is because of the faith of Abraham taking the Lord God at His Word that the world has the opportunity to share in His salvation to the world.  This is why your faith in the Lord Jesus is so important.  Simply put, faith is taking someone at their word without ever having to be shown that they can or will do whatever they said they would do.  Abram took the Lord God at His Word just because He stated it.   The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.  I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.  I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” 

And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith. Without the Lord God showing him anything, he took Him at His Word.  That should be the response of every citizen of the Kingdom of God when reading and studying His Constitution, meaning the Word.  Without it there is no way that you can please Him.  By the way, without faith you will not receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Again, ambassador Paul made it clear to those who have the ear to listen and learn:  Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.   

Faith in the Lord Jesus the Christ has nothing whatsoever to do with the color of your skin, your culture or your language.  It has everything to do with your faith in the Lord Jesus the Christ.  There are many religions that embrace their skin color or their culture.  In my personal experience, I have found this very true among African Americans.  I also have found that many religious Caucasians will not follow a leader of color.  In both of those examples, they have greater faith in their own skin color than in the Lord Jesus the Christ.  All this behavior is a trick of demonic forces.  The enemy has set out to divide the people of faith.  That is because they have their faith in the wrong object.  If they were focused on the Lord Jesus the Christ, that wouldn't happen.  Many people are led by their emotions, because they don't have the Holy Spirit or aren't tuned in to His leading.  Attending a church doesn't mean you have the guidance of the Holy Spirit--the Governor.  We will continue learning about faith next week.

Remember you greatest asset is your faith in the Lord Jesus the Christ.  He is the answer...now what was the question...

Hebrews 11:6   Genesis 12:1-3   Genesis 15:6  Hebrews 11:1

​~~W.R. 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

What is a shepherd? A shepherd is an individual who tends to (feeds, nurtures), guides and guards them.  He is responsible for their growth, safety and well- being.  The Lord Jesus made this profound statement when referring to Himself: "The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep."  So then, the responsibility of the shepherd is to direct, guide, supervise, oversee, train, enlighten, teach, nurture, feed, etc.  Those are just a few of the shepherd's responsibilities.  King David summed it up like this:  The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.  He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams.  He renews my strength.  He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.  Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.  You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.  You honor me by anointing my head with oil.

My cup overflows with blessings.  Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.  In essence, a shepherd's responsibility is to love and care for his flock.  He  never abandons those under his care.

Now, concerning those who call themselves pastors and shepherds, they are in reality under-shepherds.  The question is, what is the meaning of the word under-shepherd?  It is a lower-ranking shepherd who works under another shepherd.  They are the substitute when the shepherd is away or preoccupied with other matters concerning the flock.  But keep in mind, the shepherd at no time ever abandons the flock to another.  The Lord Jesus made this statement concerning those who don't own the sheep and are just hired to be the under-shepherd.  A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock.  The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.  

In most religious organizations and denominations, their pastors or shepherds are controlled by the deacon or trustee board.  Sadly, the pastors don't have any real authority to make decisions and are mere puppets of the board.  In the Kingdom, the Holy Spirit is the one who is leading and guiding the shepherd.  He is the One who is speaking to His pastors and shepherds, not a man-made board of religious appointees.  Listening to the Holy Spirit should be one of the greatest responsibilities of the pastors, certainly not cleaning the church.  Do you recall what the Lord Jesus said to His disciple Peter?  After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

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

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

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.

Please take note that the Lord Jesus stated "Feed My sheep".  Those who say they are pastors and shepherds of the Lord Jesus the Christ, must remember that these are the Lord Jesus' people that they are feeding and protecting through the Word.  In essence, they are undershepherds.  They are to feed the people the Kingdom message, not what they think they want to hear; and not what will tickle their ears and keep them in the pews.  Their responsibility isn't to please the congregation, but to feed His sheep.  Those who stay because of the way a message makes them feel, will eventually fall away, for they have no roots and no real nourishment.  They need to be taught the message of the Kingdom of God.  People are actually hungry for the Kingdom message.  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.  So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.  

A shepherd that is led by the Holy Spirit will consistently teach the Kingdom message and not abandon his flock to tend  another flock.  The Lord Jesus isn't a God of confusion or division.  He is a King that is one with His Father God.  May I add, He is a God of order.  There are many shepherds today who are feeding the sheep junk food--empty food lacking in nourishment.  The prosperity "gospel" is the Twinkies of the church today.  It may taste good and make us feel good in the moment, but will not sustain or nourish the sheep.  Just as people crave sweets and junk food that isn't good for them, they crave empty feel good messages that have no substance.  In reality the sheep crave the nourishment of the Kingdom message that sustains them and grows them into mature citizens of the Kingdom; full of the Word of the Living God.  The shepherd's responsibility is to lead the Lord's sheep to greener pastures; in other words, to embrace and seek the Kingdom as their number one priority.  Remember, a shepherd or under-shepherd's responsibility is for the sheep's welfare.   

John 10:10-11 Psalm 23  John 10:12-13; 21:15-17  Matthew 6:33-34 NLT

~~W.R. 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

What is character?  It is the aggregate of features and traits that form the individual nature of a person or thing.  It is a feature or trait or characteristic.  Lastly, it has to do with morals or ethical qualities.  We all have character.  The question is, is it a good, morally upright character or is it a bad, immoral character?  Do you have Kingdom characteristics, religious characteristics or worldly characteristics?  While the Lord Jesus was speaking to a crowd, He made this statement:  
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.  Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.  Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."  NKJV

These are characteristics of a Kingdom citizen.  These same characteristics are displayed in their everyday behavior.  It is a Kingdom citizen's way of life, not part of a religious belief; or something that is put on and taken off as a piece of clothing.

Allow me to share our cultural experience when I first arrived in what people call the "Bible Belt" ("Religious Belt"), where a majority claim to love the Lord Jesus.  Many of those very people took offense with our marriage and our very presence because of the color of our skin. You could call us "Ebony and Ivory".  They call it race, but my Father only created one race, and that is the human race.  I call it CC, meaning culture and color.  In the Kingdom, your character should be clearly displayed in your every day behavior.  Be consistent!  People who are not in the Kingdom of God are "sometimes up...sometimes down".  They are blowing in the winds of their emotions, their feelings and not their faith.  But read what our King says about those who go through challenges of this world:  Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.  NKJV   When the King and Lord of this earth makes that statement, you can hold Him to His Word.  Look what He says your attitude should be in all of that:   Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.  NKJV

​Keep in mind, if you are truly living by His Word, that will be your response to any kind of trouble or challenges.  That is because you trust in His Word.  It would be in your character, and being that you are born again and filled with His Spirit, it will be in your DNA.  

​The Lord Jesus never told them to take up their weapons when they are persecuted because of Him, yet the religious will turn to guns and their own strength to defend themselves. They have a carnal, religious character.  They trust in man more than the Lord Jesus.  “Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword.  Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and He would send them instantly?  But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?”  They don't trust in His Word, but in what they can see!  That isn't faith, not the God kind of faith.  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.

Remind yourself of all that He has done for you to build your faith.  Your greatest asset is your faith in the Word of the living God.  

Matthew 5:3-12   Matthew 26:52-54   James 1:6-8
all NLT, except where noted

~~W.R. 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

​“Don’t let anyone call you ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters. And don’t address anyone here on earth as ‘Father,’ for only God in heaven is your Father.  And don’t let anyone call you ‘Teacher,’ for you have only one teacher, the Messiah. The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."  The sons of the Kingdom were set apart to be very different from the religious of their day.  The Scribes and Pharisees were devoted to displaying their outward religious appearance.  They wore their religion and were recognized as such because of their attire, not by their behavior.  

The Lord Jesus made this point to make us aware, or should I say to beware, of certain titles, which carry with them certain un-kingdom attitudes.  First, "Be not called teachers" for the attitude of a teacher is "I know more than you know--listen, for wisdom is now speaking".  This attitude is self-assertive.  The attitude of the Kingdom is to become as a little child.  Not childish, but childlike--open, receptive, eager to learn.  Second, "And don’t address anyone here on earth as ‘Father,’ for only God in heaven is your Father."  For the attitude of the Father is "Because of my age, I know and you don't know--respect and listen to me".  The father's attitude is the attitude that the Lord Jesus condemned when He said Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.”

But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”   

​Third, And don’t let anyone call you ‘Teacher,’ for you have only one teacher, the Messiah.  The greatest among you must be a servant.  ​ Don't be called leaders for the attitude of the leader is "I am your leader, follow me".  It is also self-assertive.  I have studied God's Word about the Kingdom and I teach the Kingdom concepts without being called a teacher.  There are churches that hold leadership classes, but this does not always produce leaders.  It only produces uncertain managers, followers with a list of instructions to do.  Often men who can't control their own habits or their own households.  Sons of the Kingdom know how to lead their families first and foremost because they are led by the Governor (Holy Spirit).  They want to always follow His leading.  Then they know how to conduct themselves, as well as their own household.  ...you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth...​But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers. 

The root of the problem of such titles is that it brings pride and being separate from the very people they are to help.  The titles and special attire draws attention and that invites pride.

On a personal note, I am learning every day to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.  I am learning to stay focused on His voice and guidance.  That way I will always be in line with His Word.  

Remember, as always, that your greatest asset is your faith in King Jesus.  No titles nor robes required.

Matthew 23:8-12   Luke 9:61-62   I Timothy 3:15; 5:8

~~W.R. 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