When I think of the word foundation, the words that come to mind are strong, eternal and everlasting.  I have stated many times in my articles, that in order for faith to exist, it must have an object to focus on.  In this world we live in, many people are having faith in themselves alone.  That is a bad career move.  I remember the Words of my King:  He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.  Notice He was speaking to church-going people, not sinners.  They quote the King's Constitution, but too often take it out of context; without knowing what it means or is referring to.  Read what the King stated to those religious people:   But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?  Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like.  
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Remember, the Lord God's Constitution (His Word--the Bible) is eternal and unchanging.  He isn't like mankind.  He doesn't lie.  His Words are Truth.  Now read what the representative of the King, Balaam, stated to Balak concerning cursing the Children of Israel.  “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent.  Has He said, and will He not do?  Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?"  The King (the Lord God) will always keep His promise.  When you stay focused on His Word, He will stay focused on you at all times.  The Lord's Word is eternal.  The ambassador Paul's total faith was anchored in the Word of the Lord Jesus.  Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness,  in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,  but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior.  ​ You want to know how Paul was so successful and bold with his word?  He believed in his foundation.  That is where he deposited his faith.  He was anchored to the Word.  He didn't put his faith in his "christian faith".  It had nothing to do with religious beliefs and rules.  It wasn't in quoting a Bible verse, but in living the Biblical principles of those scriptures they quote.  That is when your faith is anchored in His Word.  Many who attend various religious institutions are actually searching for the Kingdom but are looking for it in religious services.  Their focus should be on the Lord God's Word.  There was a situation when a religious group (the Pharisees) approached the King with a question concerning the Kingdom.  Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”  

Once you are born again with the Spirit of the Lord God, you are officially a Kingdom citizen.  ​I will mention to you one character, who is an example of this:  Saul, whose name was changed to Paul.   Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.  As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.

Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”

Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”

Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”  The Lord Jesus had to first get Saul's attention.  He was afraid, then he addressed Him for who He was:  "Lord, what do You want me to do?"  That was the first question.  Saul was seeking the Kingdom through his religious education and knowledge, as many of us have done.  Many of you call it having church.  But that is entertainment. When you have a true understanding of God's power, what Jesus the Christ did for and the Holy Spirit operating through you, you will no longer seek to be entertained.  You will seek the Kingdom and focus on fulfilling your purpose. Your desires and your focus will change!   Saul had to be humbled through the Lord Jesus' power before he could assume the purpose the Lord Jesus had for him.   And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.  

Keep in mind, Saul had a few days to focus on his faith because of the power of the King.  Be aware, that before Saul could accomplish his purpose, he had to become a citizen of the Kingdom government.  That means, he had to be filled with the Holy Spirit (our Governor).  And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”  Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.  The disciples had to educate Saul on the Kingdom concept.  So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.  Don't ever think that what you've done is so bad that God won't use you for His purpose.  The Lord Jesus changed Saul's direction from being misdirected to an ambassador of the Kingdom, such as me....and you also, if you focus on your foundation of faith in the Lord Jesus the Christ.

Luke 6:48; 46-47   Numbers 23:19   Titus 1:1-3   Luke 17:20-21
Acts 9:1-6; 7-9; 17-19

~~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

Do you remember what the Lord Jesus said to Nicodemus, a religious ruler of the Jews,when asked a question: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”   To be born again in your spirit takes only an instant of accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior, but to live the Kingdom and adopt its behavior is a process of growth.  The Lord Jesus made this statement while teaching about the Kingdom:   

​Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  To have a Kingdom mindset is  a process of learning and applying that knowledge.  For some, the process is longer than others.  Why?  Because religious thinking hinders the mind from accepting the Kingdom concept and making the necessary changes.  If you will notice, the Lord Jesus never spoke of a religion.  In fact, He called them His disciples.   In Hebrew, the word disciple is student.  We are disciples of the Kingdom, and are constantly learning the Kingdom concept.  This process is ongoing.  That is why we should always be reading and studying the Lord God's Constitution; not from a religious perspective, but from the Kingdom perspective.  You may read the whole Bible--God's Constitution--ten times over and see something new to you every time.  

By consistently reading and studying​ the Word, you will definitely develop a Kingdom mindset.  Remember, your old religious mindset cannot co-exist with a Kingdom mindset.  It is like fire and water; they can't co-exist at the same time in the same place.  "No one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.”   Once you have embraced the Kingdom concept and its principles, it will be virtually impossible for you to attend the same religious meetings or church. Because you will be of a whole new mindset and constantly growing in your thoughts and mind.  Once you see something as you've never seen it before, you can't "un-see" it and it will stick out to you.  Ambassador Paul said it very clearly:  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.  

As you mature and grow in your thinking, through reading and studying, it will manifest in your lifestyle and will become an everyday behavior.  Keep in mind, the more you study His Constitution, the more you will become like our Lord.  You say you want to be more like Jesus?  He IS the Word, so be filled with it and be more like Him.   Now apply it in your everyday life.  That is called being obedient.  Remember, the Lord Jesus, while here on this earth, kept showing and teaching His disciples how to live and conduct themselves as Kingdom citizens.  He not only taught the Kingdom, but was also an example in how he lived and conducted himself; always showing them how to behave.   So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am.  If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.  For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.  Our King was teaching us how we can become an effective leader, one that loves mankind.  

In all that we do or say, we are to be a representative of the Kingdom, regardless of the situation or circumstance. It's not about how "they" behave or who "they" are; but how we represent the Kingdom when we interact with them.   You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.  They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them.  We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.   Now it's time to evaluate yourself, make the necessary changes and apply the Kingdom to every aspect of your life!  Don't just exist, live the Kingdom life.  It's well worth the effort!

​John 3:3   Matthew 11:28-29  Mark 2:22 Romans 12:1-2  
John 13:12-17   I John 4:4-6   

~~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

Growing in the Kingdom of God, simply means staying in His Word.  By doing so, we learn to become obedient to His Word. His Word will develop a lifestyle that reflects the Kingdom Gospel.  Remember, the Lord Jesus was and is our perfect example. While here on this earth, the Lord Jesus made this statement: For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.  The Lord Jesus was demonstrating His humility by showing that we should lead through humility.  The ambassador Paul said the following when he was writing to young ambassador and brother Timothy:   Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 

Every day of my life, I focus on my behavior, always aware of keeping it in line with the Lord God's Constitution.  I focus on being an example of the Kingdom that others can look up to. The ambassador Paul wrote in his letter to those in Thessalonica and to all believers everywhere.  For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.  As I write these articles, it is my sole goal to be an example for you to be encouraged and grow in your life in the Kingdom.  We should be an example in all situations.  It is a process that doesn't happen over night.  We make mistakes and fall short, but always striving for growth and strength of character.  It is according to your faith in the Lord God's Word (His Constitution).  In order for you to become an effective, living example of the Kingdom, you must learn to submit your old ways to the Governor (the Holy Spirit) and His leading for your life.  He will always lead you in line with His purpose for your life.  The Lord Jesus Himself made this statement concerning the Holy Spirit:  But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

Allow me to share these words of encouragement.  When you obey the Constitution (Bible) and allow the Governor to lead and guide you, you will have the peace He spoke of.  You will not fear what any man thinks he could do to you.  King Jesus put it this way:   Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  Always stand on your foundation, the Word of the living God.  Now here is what Jesus said:  “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved."  Did you notice,how He mentioned "for His name' sake"?  By being an example of the Kingdom of God, you also represent His name and who He is!  This is why it is so important how you live and conduct your life before others.  You will be held accountable for your actions as an ambassador for the Kingdom of God you say you are a part of.  

​Jesus said:  And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.  Have you noticed that many people who claim to know the Lord are not at all as they pretend to be?  Jesus' next words are clear of what is to come:   And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.  So stop listening to those false prophets (profits) who predict the "End".  If you aren't willing to "walk the walk" please don't "talk the talk"!  You may be preventing others from seeking the Kingdom.  If your life doesn't look any better than theirs, why would they want the Kingdom you talk about?  “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Remember, your greatest asset is your faith in the Lord Jesus the Christ.

John 13:15   I Timothy 4:12   II Thessalonians 3:7-9  John 14:26-27
Matthew 10:21-22; 24:12-14   Matthew 7:21-23

~~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