A Kingdom mentality has everything to do with total faith in the King and His Kingdom.  

Now, what do I mean by "mentality"?  1.  The mode or way a person thinks; 2. The mental power or the capacity to think--intelligence.  When you were born again by His Spirit, you became a brand new individual. The real you--meaning the spirit man--became a citizen of the Kingdom of God.  Do you recall what the Lord Jesus said to the teacher who came to Him after dark one night?  There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee.  After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent You to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with You.”

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”  Take note of King Jesus' statement to the religious ruler!  Having a Kingdom mentality requires us to be filled with the Holy Spirit--our Governor.  Being born again by His Spirit makes us a genuine citizen of the Kingdom.  Then you will seek to please the King at all times.  We as citizens of the Kingdom of the Lord God should always be seeking to know about His constitution--God's Word.  One of the writers in His constitution--the Bible--made this statement:  Their hearts are dull and stupid, but I delight in Your instructions.  My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to Your decrees.  We should always be mindful of who created us and why we exist.  ​Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver.  You made me; You created me.  Now give me the sense to follow Your commands.  

Having a Kingdom mentality is what separates us from the religious community.  Those of us who have a Kingdom mentality put our faith completely in His Word and lean on Him for everything.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.  

We, who have a Kingdom mentality, feed off of His Word.  We know our priority.  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.   

Those who have a Kingdom mentality, walk this earth knowing that we are in this world system but definitely not of it.  Read what the Lord Jesus prayed to His Father:   “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.  Father, I want these whom You have given Me to be with Me where I am. Then they can see all the glory You gave Me because You loved Me even before the world began!

“O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know You, but I do; and these disciples know You sent Me.  I have revealed You to them, and I will continue to do so. Then Your love for Me will be in them, and I will be in them.”  Notice the Lord Jesus used the term...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... In other words, there is no division between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  One of the main characteristics of a religious denomination is division from other Believers.  Religion uses laws and doctrines to be separate from other Believers.  It is not a reflection of the scriptures we just read.  It is very difficult and quite rare for them to have a Kingdom mentality because of this.  Keep in mind, Kingdom citizens honor and serve King Jesus.  Kingdom citizens are led by the Holy Spirit--our Governor.  They worship the Lord God in spirit and in truth. Worship should not feed our emotions but our spirit.  Worship honors the Lord.   But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship Him that way.  For God is Spirit, so those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.” 

Having a Kingdom mentality requires reading, studying and meditating on His Word as a lifestyle.  As in a marriage, truly knowing someone is what creates oneness.

Once again, remember, your greatest asset in the Kingdom is your faith in the King.

John 3:1-3   Psalm 119:70-73   Proverbs 3:5-6   Matthew 6:33
John 17:20-26   John 4:23-24
All NLT unless noted otherwise

​~~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

In this world, there are many believers wearing the badge of Christian, fighting for their "rights" in this present world.  Let me make this perfectly clear: the Lord Jesus never instructed His disciples, or those who followed Him, to fight for their rights here on earth.  He also never instructed us to fight the devil at any time.  Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. NKJV

Notice the first thing ambassador James told them:  "Submit to God".  Often when this verse is quoted, they leave off that part.  That is key, that is why it is mentioned first!  If you want to grow in the Kingdom, you must first learn how to listen and follow His instructions.  The Lord Jesus never told us to fight the world system or even the devil.  He simply said, But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. NKJV  By doing so, we will be following His command and everything that we could ever need will be provided to us.  That is what His Word says and He cannot lie!

Obeying and submitting to the King's command should be our top priority.  This will show in our behavior.  If we humble ourselves to the Governor--Holy Spirit--He will fully operate in our lifestyle.   Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.  It is not enough to believe there is a God. You must put your trust and belief in His Word.   You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.  

Submitting to the Lord God's Word takes faith and trust in Him.  So what are you waiting for?  You, being a citizen of the Kingdom, must embrace His Word to the fullest.  As you read, it is not enough to just believe there is a God, demons know that and they fear the King and Lord!

​In order for this to take place in your life while you are in this world, your mind must be changed.  A process that will take some time.  In some cases, it will take longer than others.  Ambassador Paul put it this way:  And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him.  Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.  

Once you have been born again in the Spirit, you begin a new life.  You have a whole new nature.  You have to learn a whole new set of laws and principles.  King Jesus made this statement:  Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. 

Remember, the Lord Jesus wasn't a religious leader but a King representing His Kingdom which was not part of this world!    Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”  He also confirmed that He was a King and that was why He was born.  Pilate said, “So you are a king?”

Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”  

Having said that, when you are born again, you must learn the laws and principles of the Kingdom government in order to please the King.  It is the same concept as moving to a new country and having to learn that country's laws and customs.   Ambassador Paul once again made it quite clear here:  Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them.

Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive His approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.  The more you study His Word, the more you will know how to submit to His Will for your life.  That is why it is so important for you to be filled with the Holy Spirit in your life and listen for His leading.  The Holy Spirit--our Governor--is the one who sealed you for the day of Christ's return.  Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  NKJV  By the way, that seal is the means of Him knowing those who are His.  But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.”

Remember, your faith in the Word of God is your greatest asset in the Kingdom of God. 

James 4:7   Matthew 6:33   John 4:10; 2:19   John 3:6; 18:36-37
2 Timothy 2:14-15   Ephesians 4:29-30   2 Timothy 2:19
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

Even though many believers, who love the Lord Jesus, follow the world's view on marriage, the Lord God's principles and commands on marriage remain the same.  

One of the greatest elements in a lasting marriage is companionship. Building companionship requires patience, time and often hard work.  Companionship doesn't develop accidentally.  We must be intentional.  We live in a fallen world, controlled by the evil one.  To have a Kingdom marriage, we must always be aware and guard our marriage as a precious possession. It is "a pearl of great price"! This is why it is so important to stay in the Lord God's constitution...His Word.

In the Kingdom of God, marriage is between a man and a woman.  That has nothing to do with this fallen world.  Two completely different "kingdoms" with different "kings".  Remember that.   The Lord God created woman from man.  So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the opening.  Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man.  ​Keep in mind that He made a woman, not another man to be his companion.  He made the woman to be his companion.

Now I am coming to you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you. I don’t want what you have—I want you. After all, children don’t provide for their parents. Rather, parents provide for their children.  Although ambassador Paul was referring to the citizens of the Kingdom in the church at Corinth as his spiritual "children", the principle applies in family relations.  Ambassador Paul pledged to the Corinthian church that he wouldn't be a burden to them when he visited.  Keep in mind, in the same manner, parents shouldn't be a burden to their children.  As the children are growing up in their parent's household, parents have the responsibility to support their children and do everything that they can to prepare the way for them to become mature, productive, independent adults.  I must say that true independence works both ways:  children are not dependent on their parents and parents are not dependent on their children.  

Adjusting to married life is challenging enough without a couple feeling the pressure of guilt, customs or traditions to support their parents.  That really isn't their responsibility, only if the couple both agree freely to that situation.  It should never be forced upon them.  At the same time, God's constitution clearly states that children do bear some responsibility for the welfare of their parents, particularly those who are widowed or who have no legitimate means of caring for themselves.  Do you recall what the Lord Jesus stated while on the cross?  Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene.  When Jesus saw His mother standing there beside the disciple He loved, He said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.”  And He said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.  He made a point as the eldest son of His earthly family, to commit His mother into the care of John, His disciple and close friend.  By the way, I took care of my mother in her last days on this earth, but wasn't married during that time. 

Ambassador James speaks of Kingdom citizens' responsibility to "look after orphans and widows in their distress".    But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.  Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. NLJV Notice that he said "pure and undefiled before God" religion took care of widows and orphans.  In that day, orphans and widows represented the lowest and most powerless classes of society in that day.  they were people who had no one to speak for them.  Ambassador Paul made this statement:  Take care of any widow who has no one else to care for her.  But if she has children or grandchildren, their first responsibility is to show godliness at home and repay their parents by taking care of them. This is something that pleases God...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.  

​Priorities.  It's about where you set your priorities.  Never place parents or extended family above your spouse.  They are your first priority, after God.  Your husband or wife comes before your parent, but never abandon your responsibility to your parent, if they need you.  Take care of them if needed, but after the needs of your spouse.  Never allow a parent to influence you and come between you and your spouse.  Wisdom and discernment will assist you in making right decisions in a Kingdom marriage.

Remember, your faith in the King is your greatest asset in the Kingdom.

Genesis 2:21-22   2 Corinthians 12:14   John 19:25-27
James 1:26-27   1 Timothy 5:3-4, 8
All NLT unless noted.

​~~W.R. and Arlene 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

Picking up where we left off with our last article, I will state again that the relationship of a parent and child must greatly change after the child is an adult and marries. But a husband and wife's relationship must not be broken according to our Creator and King.  “At last!” the man exclaimed.  “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh!  She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’”  This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.  

“Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’  and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?  So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” NKJV  

This will upset some, but although parents should always be loved, respected and honored by their children, they no longer have the predominant place in the lives or priorities of their children.   “Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you."  Parents should be the ones to help their adult children move into this new level of maturity.  It is one more lesson they must impart into their children.  Parents, lead the way and help them have a Godly marriage!  

Husbands, you should always love, comfort and understand your wife.  She is a nourisher and should also be your best friend. For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up His life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s Word.  

Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.  

Keep in mind that the temporary parent/child relationship gives way to the permanent relationship of the husband and his wife.  

Now I realize in some cultures it is customary to think of marriage as a joining of two families into one.  The husband represents his family of origin and the wife represents hers.  together they and all their relatives become part of one big happy family.   I must say, as common as this may be in some cultures; in the Kingdom of God it is incorrect and unconstitutional in the scriptures.  This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.  Although that verse speaks specifically of the husband leaving his family, it also includes the wife leaving her family.  

So, how could a husband be united as one with his wife unless she also leaves her family?  One of the biggest conflicts in a marriage is when the husband has to compete with his wife's relatives or parents for priority of his relationship.  It also brings division and arguments when the wife sides with those family members over her husband or belittles him to her family.  The same is true for the wife whose husband isn't man enough to "cut his mother's apron strings" and put his wife before her.  

​Before coming into the knowledge of the Kingdom, I was religious but felt I was missing something concerning scripture.  I had heard of so many marriages failing, even my own.  It wasn't until I came into the knowledge of the Kingdom that I realized it wasn't about religious worship, but about reading, studying and obeying His Word.  Through that process, He will fill you with the Holy Spirit, our Governor.  By the way, you need the Holy Spirit to guide and lead you in your daily life, especially your marriage.  “If you love me, obey my commandments.  And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.  He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it isn’t looking for Him and doesn’t recognize Him. But you know Him, because He lives with you now and later will be in you."  

There are many reasons why it is important that a married couple leave home physically and emotionally.  One reason is to give them the opportunity from the beginning of their marriage to cultivate their companionship and bond with each other without the interference of the parents and other family members.  Companionship is an essential part of all successful marriages.  Another reason is that when they enter into a covenant marriage, they are creating a new family, not add to an existing family.  

Keep in mind, that the parent and child relationship is established by the birth of a child or through adoption, but the husband and wife relationship is established by a covenant and believe me, there is a difference.  Marriage is a covenant established by the Lord God and sealed by the Holy Spirit.  That covenant is sealed between the Lord God, the husband and the wife.  It is created to be both a spiritual, physical and emotional bonding.  It supersedes any blood ties here on earth.  

​Hold on to this thought:  In marriage, your spouse is more important than any other person on this earth.  That is the way the Lord God ordained it to be.  By the way, for those of us who have been married before, thank the Lord God for His forgiveness, His grace and mercy!  It is because of the Lord Jesus that we are forgiven and given another opportunity to make better choices and do it the Lord God's way!  We will continue this next time.

Remember, your faith in His Word is your greatest asset in the Kingdom of God.

Genesis 2:23   Matthew 19:4-6   Exodus 20:12   Ephesians 5:25-26
Colossians 3:19  John 14:15-17
All NLT unless noted.

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

The Lord God created the institution of marriage. Marriage brings about fundamental changes in the relationship that exists between a man and a woman and their families.  The question is, are the couple ready to accept those changes?

Too many couples have trouble letting go of the ties that bind them to their parents and to the lifestyle they knew when they were single adults.  ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one,  let no one split apart what God has joined together.”  They often feel torn between their responsibility to their spouse and their perceived responsibility to their parents.  By the way, that should not be.  There are some parents that cause them to feel that way.  They make them feel guilty if their child prioritizes their spouse over them.  This should never be.  This is not God's plan and letting go is an important part of parenting!  This tension causes conflicts within the marriage, particularly when one partner finds it harder to let go than the other one.  A spouse may feel rejected when the parents and family are given priority over the spouse.  It can become a wedge between husband and wife and a continuing and increasing source of arguments.

​Keep in mind, I am not writing this to those who live by the world's system, but to those who aim to live by the Lord God's constitution.  This is written to citizens of the Kingdom of God.  We live in a fallen world, but the Lord God's Word is unchanging and eternal.  Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.  

​Sometimes parents compound the problem by trying to hold on to their married children.  Again, that shouldn't be!  It is often emotional blackmail.  I say to parents, you were giving the assignment to train up the children God gave you. Part of that training is letting them go so they will be mature, responsible adults who are ready to receive their assignments from the Father.  If you emotionally cripple them, they will not be capable of doing what God is calling them to do!  It may not be easy to let go, for parents and for the adult son or daughter.  It may take a serious adjustment that won't be easy at first.  But it will get easier if you are consistent and focused.  Regardless of the source of difficulty in letting go, confusion and uncertainty as to how the couple and parents should relate will cause stress on the marriage.  Keep in mind, I am speaking of those who are newlyweds.  I have seen this stress bring the couple to divorce.  Then the controlling, manipulative parent point to the divorce as proof they were right about the in-law.  When in truth, they were the destructive force that brought them to that point!

​According to the Lord God's constitution, the Bible, the most important relationship of all is that between an individual human being and the Lord God.  This is a fundamental and essential spiritual relationship.  In the natural realm, and second only to that relationship, is the marriage relationship between a man and a woman.  That is something to think about!  This is why it is so important to protect and preserve.  And this is why it is so under attack today.  So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the opening.  Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and He brought her to the man.  “At last!” the man exclaimed. "This one is bone from my bone,  and flesh from my flesh!  She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’”

This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.

When the Lord God created the human race, He began with a man and a woman, not a man and a child or a woman and a child.  It was by the Lord God's design, the husband and wife relationship preceded and takes priority over the parent-child relationship. They are a product of the marriage by the Lord God's design.  The husband and wife relationship is foundational and key to every other relationship in this life.

One reason that a marriage relationship takes priority over the parent and child relationship is because a husband and his wife commit to a covenant promise to meet each other's companionship needs for life.  (Thank the Lord God for His mercy and grace!) By the way, there is no such covenant that exists between parents and their children.  That commitment is between the parents and the Lord God.  They will have to answer to Him for not raising their children as the Lord God leads.  We will continue with this in our next article. (part 2)

Until then, remember that your faith in the King and His Word is your greatest asset in the Kingdom!   

Mark 10:7-9   Mark 13:31   Genesis 2:21-24 
All NLT except where noted.

~~W.R. and Arlene 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