Be encouraged, for your peace comes through your faith in Him, not in the circumstances surrounding you.  Put your faith totally in God's Word.  Do you recall what our King and Lord, Jesus, said to His disciples?   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.  I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:25-27  

When you have the Governor--Holy Spirit--living in you, you will have perfect peace in times of crisis.  Why?  Because you know that you have a King and a Kingdom and you are a citizen in right standing.  He promises never to leave us alone.  This is why the Holy Spirit is vital.  He is the most important person on earth.  Our peace comes from the Holy Spirit. You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!  Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.  Isaiah 26:3-4  

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.  No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.  John 14:16-18  When the Holy Spirit--our Governor--resides in your mortal body, He cultivates faith in your lifestyle.  Remember that faith and fear cannot operate in your body and mind at the same time; just as fire and water can't operate at the same place at the same time.  Water will overtake the fire.

When you are reborn of His Spirit, you are a new person.  From that point on you must learn of Him through the Holy Spirit.  Then Jesus said, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30  This is another reason it is so important to be filled with the Holy Spirit.  He will guide and teach you, but you first must seek to keep His Word.  “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."  John 14:15-17   Loving God means keeping His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome.  1 John 5:3  

Those who have peace, the God kind of peace, are those who put their trust and faith completely in His Word.  If God says it, it will come to pass.  His Word is Truth.  If you truly are born by His Spirit and following His instruction, you conduct yourself in a Kingdom lifestyle.  In most cases, it becomes a natural part of your behavior and you don't have to think about it.  For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. 1 John 5:4  It is our faith in the Lord Jesus that causes us to overcome this world, not our faith in our church, pastor, minister or even in ourselves.  And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

And Jesus Christ was revealed as God’s Son by His baptism in water and by shedding His blood on the cross—not by water only, but by water and blood. And the Spirit, who is truth, confirms it with His testimony.  So we have these three witnesses—the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and all three agree.  Since we believe human testimony, surely we can believe the greater testimony that comes from God. And God has testified about His Son.  All who believe in the Son of God know in their hearts that this testimony is true. Those who don’t believe this are actually calling God a liar because they don’t believe what God has testified about His Son.

And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.  1 John 5:5-12  Remember, the Lord Jesus was the Word manifested in the flesh. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.  John 1:14 NKJV  

​In this world, with social media and so many distractions, it is easy to lose focus. That is why it is vital to stay in God's constitution every day.  If you want to know the Lord God's direction for your life, make His Word your lifestyle.  Remember this, the Lord God will not force you to live for Him.  It is a choice that you must make.  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 NKJV  You also must choose between faith and fear.  He gave you the power of choice.  Keep this in mind, it is the devil who causes fear and chaos, so stay focused on His Word.  When you are distracted, your strength weakens.

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

​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

Most of my life, I resided and worked in New York City.  There I observed and dealt with all types of people.  I learned a great deal about the behavior of men and women.  Though they came from countless different cultures, there were many similarities.

I have also had the opportunity to observe and study sheep.  While I lived in San Bernadino, California back in the late 90's, I used to watch a herd of sheep grazing on the hillside not far from San Bernadino University. A dog would be running from side to side, keeping the sheep bunched together.  Little did I know at the time, that it was the sheep controlling the dog and not the other way around.  Contrary to popular belief, in reality, sheep are surprisingly intelligent with impressive memory and recognition skills. They build friendships, stick up for one another in fights, and feel sad when their friends are sent to slaughter.  By the way, they are also considered to be some of the most destructive creatures on this earth.  Another piece of interesting information is that there are difficulties in raising sheep.  They are not as easily fenced as cattle, but they are much easier than goats. Sheep are also more vulnerable to many types of predators. Although they tend to be less susceptible to diseases than other types of livestock, they are susceptible to parasites. By observing the sheep on the hill, I learned that much of what I thought about sheep wasn't correct!   

Much of my interest in sheep was sparked by our King Jesus as He referred to Himself as the good shepherd.  “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.  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."

“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me,  just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice My life for the sheep." John 10:11-15  Notice what He stated in verse 15 of God's Constitution.  He laid down His life for us that we can share in His promise and all we have to do is to believe in Him.  If we believe in Him, He promises us eternal life with Him.   For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17 NKJV  There are people all around this planet who are embracing Him as King and Lord but not as a religion.  I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.  John 10:16  

Notice He stated "one flock and one shepherd".  Again He compared the people with sheep and Himself as the shepherd.  There is no division in the Kingdom of God.  Remember what the King said: I am the good shepherd; I know My own sheep, and they know Me, John 10:14  Kingdom citizens have one Lord and King, and they know the voice of their Lord and King.  It is very distinctive from other voices.

Jesus said we are His sheep. We've learned that sheep are surprisingly intelligent, have good memories and good recognition skills. They don't like to be fenced in! They build friendships, defend those friends and feel sadness when one of their own die.  They can be very destructive but vulnerable to predators. It's good that they are intelligent so they may outsmart their predators!  I've described sheep, but does that sound like anyone you may know in your life?!  When King Jesus sent out His disciples, He compared them with sheep:  Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.  Matthew 10:16

 
Those who have the Governor--Holy Spirit--living inside of them are citizens of the Kingdom and are sensitive to listening to His voice to lead and guide us in our daily lives.  Knowing God's Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit is what keeps us from following a stranger's voice.  What that stranger says will be a strange sound because it does not line up with God's Word that is in you!  It is our relationship with the Father and our faith in Him that causes us to be victorious in this world.   “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. John 14:15-18   

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?  1 John 5:3-5 NKJV

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

​
All scriptures NLT unless 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

Defining who you are should be a priority in this present age. Because if you don't, others will.  If other people can name you, they will define you!  For example: any people who believe in the Lord Jesus are known as Christians.  Is there anything wrong with that?  Well, not if you want to be known as a religious person.  By the way, that name was given to Barnabas and Saul by the people at Antioch while they were preaching the Kingdom message.   Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul.  And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Acts 11:25-26 NKJV

Remember, if people can name you they will define you. Many just go through life letting others tell them who they are:  Pretty, smart, ugly, weak, ditzy, no class, etc. Then people embrace those descriptions and become what people have named them! Well, that is what the people at Antioch did.  Prior to that, they were known by their individual names and not by any religious group.  It was by the way the disciples and apostles lived and conducted themselves that defined who they were.  On this earth, many people define themselves by their political status, their religion or their job.  They wear their titles in those areas as a badge of honor as if the issue has been solved, when it actually has nothing to do with who they are!  They are to be citizens in the Kingdom of God, but they must first be born again by His Spirit.  It is through the Holy Spirit that we are defined!  Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”  John 3:5-6 NKJV

Keep in mind, those who are born again by the Spirit of God are Kingdom citizens.  There are many who claim to love and know the King, but their lifestyle shows others a completely contrary side.  Their lifestyle defines who they are.  Actions speaks louder than words.  This includes people who claim to be spiritual leaders!  Ambassador Paul made that very clear when he wrote to the people in Philippi.  Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.  For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.  But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Savior.  He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like His own, using the same power with which He will bring everything under His control.  Philippians 3:17-21  

It isn't those who don't know King Jesus who are the enemies of the cross of Christ.  It is those who claim to know Him and claim to serve Him who are the enemies of the Kingdom.  Their god is their carnal appetites and they love to be entertained.  Entertainment isn't just worldly.  There is a great deal of entertainment in churches also.  It feeds their emotions. In this case, that is what defines them...the carnal emotion that is being fed. 

True citizens of the Kingdom have no regard for their life, because they trust in the King and His Word. They realize when we leave this mortal body, we will be in His presence.  Ambassador Paul made this very clear.  Remember that the Governor--Holy Spirit--is our guarantee.  For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing.  For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life.  God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee He has given us His Holy Spirit.  2 Corinthians 5:1-5

In essence, we are defined by our principles, standards and the Holy Spirit that lives within us.  

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

All scriptures NLT unless 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

From the very first time that Adam chose to follow his wife's lead to disobey the Lord God's command, mankind has been operating in a fallen world.  That is where mankind's troubles began. 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 2:16-17

To live in the world and live effectively, we must be born again--reborn by the Spirit.  Operating in this present world without the Governor--Holy Spirit--is equal to being in a dense forest in the night without any guidance.  Keep this in mind, we must be obedient to God's Word, God's Constitution.   “If you love me, obey My commandments."  John 14:15  It is important that we understand that the Holy Spirit is the same Spirit that took our Lord and King, Jesus into Heaven. After saying this, He was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see Him.  As they strained to see Him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday He will return from heaven in the same way you saw Him go!”  Acts 1:9-11

Operating in this present world without the guidance of the Holy Spirit causes us to make many poor decisions, which could be avoided if we took the time to pray and listen to leading of the Holy Spirit.  Before ambassador Paul could operate in this present world as the Lord Jesus' ambassador, Jesus had to get his attention. As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting Me?” Acts 9:3-4  From that point on, the Lord Jesus instructed him on what to do and where to go to receive his further instructions.   “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked.

And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!  Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one!  Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink.  Acts 9:5-9

Keep in mind, before Paul could operate as an ambassador of the Kingdom,as well as fulfilling his purpose and assignment, he first had to be prepared.  That means being filled with the Holy Spirit--the Governor, living a Kingdom life in obedience to His Word.  In doing so, you live in victory.  Note that not long after Saul had become Paul and had received the gift of the Holy Spirit, he started preaching the message of the King.  So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”  Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.  Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength.

Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!”  Acts 9:17-20

Whenever you have a purpose and assignment, you will face challenges but the King is with you all the way.  He will see you through it for His name sake.  Read this conversation the Lord Jesus had with His servant Ananias.   Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord!” he replied.

The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to Me right now.  I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.”

“But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem!  And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.”

But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is My chosen instrument to take My message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”  Acts 9:10-16  Whenever the Lord God chooses you for a purpose and gives you an assignment, He will equip you with the Holy Spirit, so get tuned in to Him.

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

All scriptures NLT unless 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