The other morning, I was in a quiet place, in my office. While reading a book by a well-known religious author, I came across a statement that was not a statement of truth. In fact it was somewhat misleading. The author was comparing the Kingdom of God with the Magic Kingdom in Disney World in Orlando, Florida! Keep in mind that the Kingdom of the living God is a government, not a religious institution. In God's Constitution, in the book of Isaiah, he prophesied of the coming King:  For a child is born to us, a Son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called:  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen! Isaiah 9:6-7

Those who have been born again of the Spirit are citizens of the Kingdom, with the rights of citizenship. It is nothing like the Magic Kingdom or any other amusement park. We have the benefits of citizenship under a loving King. Our King also gives us protection. We don't have to fight for our rights, He has angels for that. 

How do we gain access into the Kingdom? First, you must acknowledge Jesus as your Lord and King. Then you must "turn around" or repent and turn away from your sins. Remember, He is your Savior and access to the Kingdom. He is the door. Only believe and have faith in Him! You can't bring all your sins into the Kingdom of God. Put them down, leave them with Jesus Christ and walk away from them! The Lord Jesus is the only way to enter into the Kingdom of God.  "Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through Me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. 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." John 10:9-11   Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me." John 14:6 

​The Lord Jesus characterizes Himself as the Good Shepherd. He gives spiritual life and gives access to spiritual food. By the way, His food is His Word.  So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. John 1:14

I cannot overemphasize the importance of reading and studying His Word. Do you eat every day? In the same way, we must feed our spirit every day. By doing those things, and putting His Word into practice in your life it will become your lifestyle. Remember, this is a fallen world that we live in. By doing those things, He promises you the Holy Spirit--our Governor. 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. 14:15-16

Attending a church every Sunday and being good to people doesn't mean you know the King or are part of the Kingdom. The Lord Jesus wants you to live by His Word and make it your lifestyle so you will know the Truth. 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 14:17 Notice that the Lord Jesus wants you to have the Governor--Holy Spirit--because it is essential to being in the Kingdom. He states "It will be with you and in you, forever".

Now, as a Kingdom citizen in good standing,you have all the promises and rights of His government; meaning protection provision, healing and all the other privileges that come with being a citizen of His Kingdom. The Kingdom of God isn't a religion, but a government. I repeat this often because it is very hard for people to separate from all the things they have learned through religion and see King Jesus and God's Constitution in terms of a Kingdom government! 

Your faith in the King gives you that access to the Kingdom. I can't say that enough. Why do I say this? Because without faith in the King, there is no other way to please Him. Ambassador Paul said it well: 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. Hebrews 11:6 It is my goal in this life to please Him in all my ways.

So remember that your faith in the King is your greatest asset in the Kingdom!

​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

It is the power of the Holy Spirit--our Governor working within us--that enables us to change our life! Ambassador John wrote these words: But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. 1 John 4:4 Once you have the Holy Spirit in your life, you have the power and authority to change your life through His Word. By the way, it isn't enough to only read or study the Word, but to follow through by living it with the Holy Spirit. Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of My Father in heaven will enter. Matthew 7:21 Remember, King Jesus made that statement and went on to say, On judgment day many will say to Me, "Lord! Lord! We prophesied in Your name and cast out demons in Your name and performed many miracles in Your name." But I will reply, "I never knew you. Get away from Me, you who break God’s laws." Matthew 7:22-23 Even thought He was speaking to a crowd back then, it still applies to us this very day!

​Once you receive the Holy Spirit--our Governor--in your life, you will discover your purpose for life and change will begin to take place. The Holy Spirit is the most important person on earth. He is very instrumental in changing the way we think as well as our lifestyle.

In the very early 70s through the late 90s, I had a different lifestyle in the streets of Brooklyn, New York. In those days, there wasn't social media as we know it now. There were mostly papers and landlines. I never took drugs of any kind, nor smoked cigarettes or anything else. But I was disobedient to my Father's laws and commands. The whole time I was out of His Will, He had His hands on me, waiting for the appointed time that He would use me and give me my assignment and purpose. Praise the Lord for His grace and mercy when we are out of His Will!

​It was when the Holy Spirit showed me my future wife, Arlene, we met, married and I moved to South Carolina that He turned my life completely around! To be clear, His Word was in my heart all of those years, even while I was following my own wants and desires. But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33 NKJV That verse in God's Constitution has always been a favorite of mine, long before I had a clear revelation of the Kingdom of God. It has been firmly written on my heart since the age of eighteen. It was only when I gave my life totally to the King while living in Evans, Georgia, and promising Him that I would do whatever He wanted me to do; that I realized the Kingdom of God wasn't a religion called Christianity but a government. The prophet Isaiah, John and King Jesus made this very clear:  For a child is born to us, a Son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called:  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6  

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand!” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:  “The voice of one crying in the wilderness:  ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight.’ ”  Matthew 3:1-3 NKJV  

From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” Matthew 4:17

​It was through a friend and brother in the Lord that I realized the Lord Jesus came to restore in us a Kingdom government. It had nothing to do with creating a new religion. Keep this in mind, the minute the Lord Jesus came out of the desert after being challenged by the devil, He began changing people's lives through His Word and healing all kinds of sick people. Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Gospel of the Kingdom. And He healed every kind of disease and illness. News about Him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to Him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—He healed them all. Large crowds followed Him wherever He went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River. Matthew 4:23-25  The citizens of the Lord God's Kingdom need teaching and discipling in this present age, as it was in the days of King Jesus. There is little of that today, it being replaced by a self-help feel good message--pablum for the soul! Preaching is for instruction of the Kingdom. From the time of their salvation, His people need to be taught how to live and serve in His Kingdom. One day as He saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around Him, and He began to teach them.

God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.
God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.
God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are My followers.  Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way. Matthew 5:1-12  

This is exactly why my Father had Arlene and I create this website: To have Kingdom teaching available for all who will see it and so they will understand the difference between the Kingdom of God and a religion. I recommend you read, if you haven't already, the article Clarity in the Kingdom of God that Arlene wrote. It will assist you in understanding Kingdom and how it was diluted through religion.

Please always remember that your faith is your greatest asset in the Kingdom.

​​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

When we speak about the characteristics of the Governor—meaning the Holy Spirit and His culture—we are speaking about the qualities of our Lord, the King Himself. Since the role of the Holy Spirit (our Governor) is only to represent the King, we should be able to look at the Holy Spirit’s temperament and the way He acts and know what the King is like. This is why we should have our Governor—Holy Spirit—residing with us and in us. He is the very nature of our Lord and King. The Lord Jesus made that very clear: 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 14:16-17
 
One thing we must understand is that if we are citizens of the Kingdom, we will exhibit signs of the King’s qualities. Your life will eventually completely change, just as ambassador Paul, and myself as well! Change will be inevitable. Since our Governor reflects the qualities of our heavenly King, His characteristics are the personification of the King’s nature. Remember, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are as one and all have the same characteristics.
 
Allow me to share with you an example through everyday life. If you sit down to eat in a restaurant and the server is rude and inattentive, it will probably reflect negatively on your perception of the whole atmosphere of the restaurant. On the other hand, if the server was extremely knowledgeable, pleasant, attentive and patient, you will have a favorable attitude toward the restaurant they represent.
 
Keep in mind, a country’s culture may be summed up as its national character. In other words, it is the combination of its beliefs, attitudes, values, practices and characteristics. In the Kingdom of God, the citizens of the Kingdom should reflect the values and qualities of our heavenly government. We are to represent our King, our Lord! We who are citizens of the Kingdom walk in the Spirit. Read what God’s Word tells His citizens in His Constitution. So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. Galatians 5:16-17
 
You cannot serve two masters! As Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.” Luke 16:13  “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.” Matthew 6:24
 
Remember this, in a kingdom, the king’s character and characteristics are vastly important. In influencing and determining the state of the territory over which he rules. King Solomon wrote these words:  A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor as a roaring lion or an attacking bear. A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people, but one who hates corruption will have a long life. Proverbs 28:15-16 By the way, we have a perfect King! I give Him all the honor and praise for He is Lord of lords and King of kings. On His robe at His thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords. Revelation 19:16
 
Let me be perfectly clear. If you want to be blessed by our Lord God and His Son, you must love the Lord and be obedient to His Word. There is no getting around it. That obedience isn’t in our own strength, but through the Holy Spirit working in us! Read what King Jesus replied to the woman who called out a blessing for Mary, the mother of Jesus.  As He was speaking, a woman in the crowd called out, “God bless Your mother—the womb from which You came, and the breasts that nursed You!”
Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” Luke 11:27-28 This is one of the reasons I keep emphasizing the importance of obedience to the King’s Word. The key to all your victories, to all your Kingdom benefits, is obedience to His Word. Additionally, to live a fruitful abundant life in the Kingdom we must have complete faith and trust in Him and who He is. Squash all doubt when it comes to whisper in your ear, hoping for a foothold in your mind.
 
Remember, we never had the opportunity to see King Jesus while He was here on earth. Neither did those representatives and prophets of the Old Testament. So the Lord God gave us the opportunity to come into the Kingdom through faith in His Son. For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
 
Here is another key to pleasing our Father. Read these verses carefully By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is  impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:5-6  The word diligent means done with careful, steady effort, painstaking. Faith in His Word will develop the King’s qualities in your life and it will become your new lifestyle. It is a process.
 
Always remember, your faith in the Lord God’s Word is your greatest asset in the Kingdom.
 
​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