Praising the Lord God makes Him our number one priority.  In essence, it puts Him in first place in your life.  Praise always turns our attention from ourselves to the Lord God.  It takes us from selfish to selfless.  In today's narcissistic world, overflowing  with "selfies" and social media, that is a major accomplishment!  Praising the Lord is about remembering and recounting who He is and what He has done, rather than wallowing in the mire of self-absorption.  You put your trust in Him rather than yourself.  Our human nature is to be self-centered.  That is why our nature has to be changed with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Ambassador Paul made it very clear here in Romans:   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.  You must change the way you think in order to truly praise the Lord Jesus and His Father.

Praise turns your eyes from yourself to the Lord God.  It focuses your thoughts on His majesty and power and invites those around you to do the same.  Remember, you are to be the example as a Kingdom citizen.  Do you recall what ambassador Paul said in his letter to brother Timothy?  Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. Do you remember what our Lord and King stated while He was here on the earth?   “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." NKJV  Glorify!  "Let your life be so that others may notice it and glorify the Father who is in heaven."  That's right! Without even saying a word, when your life reflects life God's Kingdom and the attributes of the King, you are praising Him!  The Lord God gets the glory, not you.  In essence, praise is bragging about the Lord God instead of about yourself or the idols of this present world.  It is celebrating who He is and how He relates to us as an individual.  Remember, you are His temple and you should always have the attitude of praising the King.

Keep in mind, those who have been saved should be of the same mindset.  Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  NKJV  You must be of one mindset, focused on the King and believing the same thing.  But we know that is not the norm in most churches today.  Denominations show that believers in Jesus the Christ are not like-minded!  It is even difficult to find people within a denomination who are like-minded! The very concept of denominational churches is the antithesis of His church being like-minded!  One mind, one accord? Sadly no!  It is because they have become more focused on their rules, regulations, traditions, bylaws, leadership positions, bank accounts and membership numbers! How can we truly be focused on the King and praising Him for who He is when we know more about our bylaws than Him? 

I will stop at this point and continue this next time.  But this week, take a self-evaluation.  Where is your focus?  Are you able to freely focus on His goodness and praise His name for who He is and all He has done?  What are you distracted by?  What has your attention and your time?  Take a moment to write down things you are thankful for. Then praise Him!

Romans 12:1-2   1 Timothy 4:12   Matthew 5:14-16   Romans 15:5-6
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

What is praise? As I was in the kitchen getting coffee, waiting on His confirmation on which subject to write on next, I was led by the Holy Spirit to write about this very important subject, Praise and Worship.  

Praise is commending, expressing approval or a favorable judgment of; glorifying, especially by crediting with perfection.  I praise and thank Him every morning and throughout the day, for He is my Lord and King.  Now, to commend someone is "to entrust for care or preservation" or "to recommend as worthy of confidence or notice".  

Praising the Lord God by commendation means that you entrust yourself to His care and recommend that others do exactly the same.  Keep in mind that King David's writings in Psalm  is filled with testimonies of the Lord God's trustworthiness and with his expression of confidence that He will again prove Himself trustworthy.  O Lord my God, in You I put my trust; save me from all those who persecute me; and deliver me... And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.... Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust...Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. NKJV  

To praise the Lord God by commendation, applies to the promises of our personal circumstances.  Remember, to approve of someone is to have or express a favorable opinion of him or her and to show esteem.  Personal experience is at the heart of this expression of praise.  God's Constitution has many examples of personal expressions of approval toward the Lord God.   But You see the trouble and grief they cause.  You take note of it and punish them.  The helpless put their trust in You. You defend the orphans... But as for me, I will sing about Your power.  Each morning I will sing with joy about Your unfailing love.  For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.  O my Strength, to You I sing praises, for You, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love... O God, You are my God; I earnestly search for You.  My soul thirsts for You; my whole body longs for You in this parched and weary land where there is no water.  I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory.  Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise You!  I will praise You as long as I live, lifting up my hands to You in prayer.  You satisfy me more than the richest feast.  I will praise You with songs of joy.

Take a moment to think about your past and present situation.  Think about the numerous times the Lord God delivered you from the situations you put yourself in.  Think of the times you were without a place to live or without a well-paying job or even no job at all.  These are personal situations that you and the Lord God are aware of.  Praise by approving is turning our thoughts toward the Lord God and what He has done for us.  It is reciting the wonder of who He is and how He made a difference in your life and the life of others.

As I write these words, I can't help but take this time to praise the name of the Lord Jesus, Hallelujah! He has been so good to me.

Now let us talk about the word "glorify".  To glorify someone is to "bestow honor, praise or admiration".  In essence, giving glory to someone specifically identifies what is admirable in that person.  That type of praise is also quite frequent in God's Constitutional scriptures, what is commonly referred to as the Bible.  Remember, Bible is a religious term, not a Kingdom government term.  Now, the Lord God is shown in the scriptures as being:

Good:  Taste and see that the Lord is good.  Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him!  
Faithful:  But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.  
Righteous:  For the righteous Lord loves justice.  The virtuous will see His face.  
Just: The leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, “The Lord is just.”  NIV  
and merciful and forgiving.  But the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against Him.  These are just a few examples.

I will close this teaching by adding that the Lord God's dwelling place, His law, His character and His actions are described as being perfect and flawless.  We will continue with this at a later time.

Always remember, your faith in the King and His Word is your greatest asset in the Kingdom.

Psalm 7:1; 9:10; 16:1; 20:7; 10:14; 59:16-17; 63:1-5; 34:8
1 John 1:9   Psalm 11:7   2 Chronicles 12:6   Daniel 9:9
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

​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.”  Did you notice that He stated that before being born again he couldn't even see the Kingdom?  Also, that is the only account which the term "born again" is referenced in the Constitution scriptures, and yet the expression has become almost a catch phrase among the religious Christian community.  So much so that it has lost its true meaning.

​What does it mean to be born again?  Being born again means that you have accepted Jesus the Christ as your Lord and Savior and have received the Holy Spirit--our Governor--and have therefore been given a completely new nature, unlike the world and its system.  A new nature is to become citizens of the Kingdom Government.  Ambassador Paul put it this way when he was addressing the Ephesians believers:   Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.  And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.  NKJV

Because of the Holy Spirit--our Governor--we now have His DNA.  Wherever you go, you are a child of the King and your conduct should reflect that.  King Jesus made that quite clear when He made this statement:  “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.  No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.  

We are to represent the King and His Kingdom in all that we do and say.  We aren't to live like we have no principles or standards.  We are an extension of the Kingdom of God, in this fallen world.  If we choose to live a life without God's principles or standards, there are consequences.  Read what ambassador Paul wrote to the saints and citizens of Ephesus: Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.  Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.  You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey Him.  Don’t participate in the things these people do.  For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.  

Keep in mind, the new birth, or conversion as most Christians call it, prepares us to be with our King for the reconnection with the Kingdom government and restores our relationship with our King and Lord God.   "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  To be a Kingdom citizen, you must have in your mortal body the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, our Governor.  That is a must!  Why?  Because the Holy Spirit is the extension of the Lord's nature from Him to us.  In other words, regardless of the color of your skin or the country in which you were born, or the language you may speak; if you are born again with the Spirit of the Lord God, then the Lord God is your Father.  In essence, you have the same Father as the Lord Jesus.  For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.  So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when He adopted you as His own children. Now we call Him, “Abba, Father.”  For His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.  Yes, we are heirs of the Lord God and joint heirs with Jesus!

And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are Heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering.  Your life should reflect the nature of the Lord God you serve at all times, not just on Sunday morning.  The foundation of your thinking should always be the Word of God.  By the way, it is the Governor--Holy Spirit--that gives you the power and authority to overcome the World. 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.  Those people belong to this world, so they speak from the world’s viewpoint, and the world listens to them.  But we belong to God, and those who know God listen to us. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception.

The Lord Jesus did it all for us.  He overcame the World and its system, that we could be reinstated back to the Father.   I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

One more thing, once you have received the gift of the Holy Spirit--our Governor--that is His seal of approval to you that He has accepted you into the Kingdom family.  Keep in mind that the Lord did this back in the early church.  So the apostles and elders met together to resolve this issue. At the meeting, after a long discussion, Peter stood and addressed them as follows: “Brothers, you all know that God chose me from among you some time ago to preach to the Gentiles so that they could hear the Gospel and believe. God knows people’s hearts, and He confirmed that He accepts Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us.  He made no distinction between us and them, for He cleansed their hearts through faith. It was through their faith in Jesus that they were purified. And remember...

Your faith in the King is your greatest asset in the Kingdom!

John 3:1-3   Ephesians 5:1-2   Matthew 5:13-16   Ephesians 5:3-7   
Acts 1:8   Romans 8:14-17   1 John 4:4-6   John 16:33   Acts 15:6-9
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

The Lord never allowed outside influences to distract Him from His purpose and assignment.  He remained focused and determined to carry out His assignment here on earth.  He was always about His Father's Kingdom business.  And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” NKJV

On the other hand, church and state have to do with religion and politics, at least in the United States.  The Kingdom of God has nothing whatsoever to do with religion and everything to do with the Lord God's government.  You are a born again citizen, born by His Spirit.  The Lord Jesus made it quite clear concerning the difference between the flesh and the Spirit.  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.”

“What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”

Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.  Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.  So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’  The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”

Please note that the King said nothing about His religion.  He stated nothing about His political affiliation or what synagogue He was a member of.  King Jesus answered his question in detail, so there would be no doubt in Nicodemus' mind on what to do.  The King represented His government, not a certain religion or political group.  He was the perfect ambassador of the Kingdom.  By the way, it is our responsibility to stay in the Lord God's Constitution and allow the Governor--Holy Spirit--to teach us what we need to know.  The King stated He would:   ​ “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.  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. 

As I write this article early in the morning, about 4:30 a.m., the Holy Spirit directs me, giving me information to share with you.  Some have asked how you hear the Holy Spirit.  Well, how do you hear a radio broadcast?  You have a radio and tune it in to the right frequency.  The airwaves are always there, but you've got to get tuned in to receive it!  The Holy Spirit often leads through scriptures, so it is important to have as much of God's Word in your heart and mind.  Now quiet the noise around you and the chaos of the day and focus on Him and listen. In John 10:27, Jesus said "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." The more you listen and respond to His leading, the more you will recognize the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Now, back to King Jesus speaking to Nicodemus.  Note that Jesus seems to be surprised that Nicodemus was unaware of the information Jesus was saying to him.  

Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?”

Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?  Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness.  If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? NKJV  Keep in mind that he was a ruler and leader of the people; an educated man who taught the people.  But he wasn't teaching what he should have been teaching.  It is the same today.  Preachers are preaching and teaching their own message and having conferences and events that have nothing whatsoever to do with the King or His message to a lost and condemned world.  Remember His command:  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 key reason so many are sick and weak among the people of God is that we fail to read, listen and obey His commands.  We concern ourselves with things that aren't a priority.  Politics and religion in this world may not go hand in hand, but Kingdom principles and standards are a constant lifestyle among those in the Kingdom of God.  God's principles and standards should be in all facets of our lives.  By the way, those aren't religious principles or Christian principles, but the King's principles and standards.  If you are filled with His Spirit then you have no problem at all living by His standards.  We are to be examples and shine above the rest.   “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless."

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.  No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."  He made it very clear that we are to stand out; not in a religious or political way, but a way that exemplifies a citizen of the Kingdom in good standing with the King. 

As always, remember, your faith in His Word is your greatest asset in the Kingdom.

Luke 2:49   John 3:1-8   John 14:25-26   John 3:9-12   Matthew 6:33-34
Matthew 5:13-16   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

The Holy Spirit governs all those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior and are obedient to His Word.  He will guide you and lead you to all truth.  He will assist you and live in you forever.  

“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."

Remember, the Governor--the Holy Spirit--is the most powerful 'person' on this planet.  He isn't an "it" or a "thing".  He is an extension of the Father God...one of the Trinity.  
It has been said that "A puzzle remains a puzzle until all the pieces are put in place".  Well, the Holy Spirit is that 'piece' that makes you a Kingdom citizen.  Without Him you are just another church goer or religious individual who attends a religious service on Sundays and maybe Wednesday nights.  The real teacher of the Constitution is the Governor.  He is our helper.  Some of you may be asking yourself how you will know if you have received the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Read what King Jesus stated:   "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you." NKJV

Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”​

Please remember that when they received the breath of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:4, they were given what ambassador Paul referred to several times in his writings as a "deposit" showing that we now belong to the King and His government.  Also, He gives us an inheritance in His Heavenly Kingdom.  It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and He has identified us as His own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything He has promised us....God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee He has given us His Holy Spirit.

In essence, the Holy Spirit is our guarantee of our citizenship in the Kingdom.  Now you can't get more clear than that.  The bottom line is this, you must be filled with the Holy Spirit "The Governor" in order to be an authentic citizen of the Kingdom of God.  It is His Spirit that renews your life.  Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”  The Lord Jesus made it very clear:   Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life."  Those who are Kingdom citizens are sealed with the Governor "the Holy Spirit".    In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. NKJV

Keep in mind, that whereas before we were merely inhabitants of planet earth, now we have become children of the King and full citizens in the Kingdom.  Ambassador Paul wrote:  So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.  We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Our bodies are to be the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.  The very God Himself is to use our bodies as His dwelling place.  Through Him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.  

Since the Governor "Holy Spirit" has taken up residence in Kingdom citizens who live here on earth, the Kingdom of the Lord God itself is on earth.  This reinstatement first occurred with the Lord Jesus, God's Son, first came to live as a human being here on this earth; then returned to fallen humanity when the Lord Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit on His disciples.  His heavenly government has representatives on earth again through the those who are born again.  The more people of this earth who enter the Kingdom of heaven through Jesus Christ, the more Kingdom influence should be felt in this world.  

Remember, your greatest asset is your faith in the King!

John 14:15-17; 16:12-14   2 Corinthians 1:21-22; 5:5   John 3:3, 5-6
Acts 2:38   Ephesians 1:13-14; 2:19-22
​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