Religion was mankind's idea as the way to reach their god. If you notice, I stated their god, because there are thousands of religions, just as their are thousands of corresponding  so-called gods. It is a tool used to connect with, worship and praise their god. Do you recall what King Jesus stated to a religious ruler?  Jesus replied, “You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don’t understand these things? I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t believe our testimony. But if you don’t believe Me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven. And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life.

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 3:10-16

​King Jesus wasn't sent here to this earth to bring another religion called Christianity. The name Christian is man's name for those Believers who embraced the King. Keep in mind, the people first started giving the disciples that name at the city of Antioch.  Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.) Acts 11:25-26 Notice that neither Paul nor Barnabas called themselves Christians. It was the people who first gave them that name. I say that if you allow people to name you they will define you. Always remember that we aren't another religious group. We are citizens of a celestial government. Ambassador Paul made the following statement while addressing the saints 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. Philippians 3:17-20 ​

Know who you are in the Kingdom and that your King will supply all your needs!  And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19 NKJV  Keep in mind that Paul stated that He would supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory. He never said that you should seek after riches. I am a witness and can testify that He has always supplied all my needs according to His riches.

Keep in mind that God the Father and Jesus the Son are one. King Jesus made that perfectly clear when speaking to His Father. Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given Me your name; now protect them by the power of Your name so that they will be united just as We are...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.  John 17:11, 21-23 That being the case, why would the King add another religion knowing that religion separates His people? If there is only one way to the Lord God by Jesus Christ, why would He want multiple religions and denominations within those religions?  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 Religion has always divided people and Lucifer used that to keep them from the Kingdom message. King Jesus was clear when explaining the Kingdom to His disciples. Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted! Matthew 13:18-23

So then, how do we separate a religious mindset from a Kingdom mindset? A religious mindset, though they believe in Jesus Christ, is more earthly minded and will trust mostly in their possessions and what people with influence have to say. They trust in their religious spiritual leaders while failing to be led by the Holy Spirit. Most of what they know of God's Word comes from the sermons they hear, not from spending time in God's Constitution.  Those with a Kingdom mindset, read and study God's Constitution and through that knowledge they are led by the Holy Spirit, our Governor. Those with a Kingdom mindset live knowing that King Jesus and His Kingdom is their top priority. But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33 NKJV In contrast, a religious mindset will seek blessings and prosperity and ask for things rather than praising the Lord God at all times, in every situation. Kingdom citizens completely trust in His Word, knowing that in His time He will provide for all their needs. Remember, King Jesus is coming back again to reclaim His citizens and the Lord God's children. The Lord God lives in eternity, so His time isn't like mankind's time. 

Those of us who have been raised in the church often find it difficult to separate their church activities with their relationship with King Jesus and the Kingdom of God. Having gone through this, I will suggest looking at the things you do in church that make up your faith in Jesus Christ. What has constituted your life as a Christian? Now search out scriptures that line up with those beliefs and activities. Evaluate what you are doing and what you should be doing, according to God's Word. Traditions become such a part of our lives that we don't see that they are not actually necessary. But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Everything else is optional!

Once again, your faith in the Lord God's Word is your greatest asset in the Kingdom.

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

Get wisdom!
Get understanding! 
Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. Proverbs 4:5-7 To get wisdom and understanding we first need the leading of the Holy Spirit. We also should understand ourselves and our history.

Psychologists say there are three basic needs in all human beings: The need to belong; the need for significance; and the need for reasonable security. They say that approximately ninety-five percent of delinquencies among youth come out of broken homes, lacking a strong foundation. By the way, I was one of them. When the security of a home is broken up, the youth feels that he or she doesn't belong, so they turn to the streets or gangs and become delinquent. A delinquent youth is defined as one who does not conform to the legal or moral standards of society; it usually applies only to acts that, if performed by an adult, would be termed criminal. There is a Chinese proverb which says, "In a broken nest there is no whole egg". 

I study many different cultures through online videos. What I have learned is that a rogue elephant is a lot like a delinquent. The rogue elephant in Burma or India are elephants who have been put out of the herd by younger males. They then turn rogue, tearing up huts, gardens, villages and anything in their path. Why? Because they don't belong and have no boundaries.

​Please note, the central and acute sickness of this age is that people feel they just don't belong--they don't belong to anything of significance. We must belong to something that gives us a sense of belonging and a sense of significance and eternal security, now and forever. The Lord God promised us eternal life if we only believe 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  The Lord Jesus came here to bring a Kingdom government, not a religion called Christianity. Why doesn't the church teach the Kingdom of God as our government, as it is in heaven? The church lost it. They lost the understanding of the government of heaven and created a religion around our Lord Jesus. Let's look at the role of tragedies in history and the loss of the Kingdom. 

Take Israel, when it was said to them: 'The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.’ I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce the proper fruit. Matthew 21:42-43 That refusal on the part of Israel began the long tragedy of a frustrated nation. 

Take the Crusades. Men of violence tried to advance the Kingdom by force and succeeded in laying the foundations of hate and conflict for centuries to come. Marco Polo brought an invitation from Kublai Khan to the Pope, imploring him to send a hundred teachers of science and religion to reinforce the Christianity already present in his vast empire. Marco Polo, hastened back to the Pope with this invitation, but it was two years before they sent only two teachers with this message, "Become politically attached to Rome". They didn't teach them about the Kingdom of God which is available to all who will receive this message. Instead, they offered a political and ecclesiastical attachment to Rome. Of course, Kublai Khan turned it down and accepted Islam; spreading blood, fire and a hateful faith throughout Asia and Europe.  Another missed opportunity for the church to spread the Kingdom. 

When Russia was in the throes of a revolution, instead of the church offering the Kingdom of God, a church council was debating the question of whether garments of a certain color should be used in a certain church service. Distractions for the true calling of the church! Again the church chose religious traditions  and trivialities over spreading the Kingdom of God to a nation in crisis. Remember what our King Jesus stated in Luke 12:22-32:  Then, turning to His disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to Him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?

“Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

“And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need.

“So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom." 

​Nations rise against nations, kingdoms fall and governments change. Especially in those times of chaos and upheaval, the gospel of the Kingdom of God needs to be shared with all those who will listen and receive. For it is the Gospel of the Kingdom of God that gives that stability and security, no matter what is going on in earthly kingdoms and governments. Being a citizen of the Kingdom of God fulfills the need to belong, the need for significance and the need for security. They are all found in our relationship with King Jesus, our Lord and Savior. The battles for "race" superiority, culture clashes and denominational conflicts are all nothing more than distractions that cause us to miss seeing the Kingdom of God. 

Yes, we missed it. We missed it because we have allowed trivial thing to grab our attention and prevent us from seeing the Kingdom of God as our heavenly government operating in us in this fallen world. It is time for Kingdom citizens to sharpen their focus and lock in on God's Kingdom. Then spread it throughout your community. They need us to keep focused! There is no chaos in the Kingdom of God. 

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

W.R. Luchie
D. 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

Let us pick up right where we last left off. Did you evaluate the fruit in your life? Does it look most like the Kingdom of God or the kingdoms of this world? 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. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. Galatians 5:16-18 It is the Holy Spirit within us that gives us the power to have a fruitful life in the Kingdom.  But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8 NKJV
 
In this society, where social media dominates many individuals’ lives, many have lost confidence in the Lord God’s constitution. They think that it is just a book of religious stories. That is because religion has made it of no effect. They fail to obey King Jesus’ command and they fail to have any power in their lives. And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the Kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. Luke 12:29-31 NKJV
 
Always remember that the Kingdom is a government and not a religion of any sort. Read what Isaiah prophesied many years before:  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, and 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  Notice there is no mention of a religion of any kind. That is because our King isn’t a King of any religion, but a Kingdom government. Mankind made up the religions of this world and the evil one is behind it all. Religion is a misrepresentation of our Lord and King Jesus and the Kingdom of God. This is a fallen world and the Lord God isn’t the ruler of it, the evil one is. Listen to what the Lord Jesus stated to His disciples. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does take place, you may believe and have faith [in Me].  I will not speak with you much longer, for the ruler of the world (Satan) is coming. And he has no claim on Me [no power over Me nor anything that he can use against Me]; but so that the world may know [without any doubt] that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father has commanded Me [and act in full agreement with Him]. John 14:29-31 AMP
 
When you totally trust in Him and His Word, He will give you the Holy Spirit—our Governor. The King always protects His citizens. He will be with you and in your mortal bodies.  If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:15-17 NKJV
 
Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself. 1 Corinthians 6:19
 
When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, everywhere you go, the Kingdom is there. Everywhere you go, you have the choice to become like the culture of the world, or to allow the Kingdom within you to change the culture around you.
 
Remember, your faith in His Word 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

​In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand!” Matthew 3:1-2 NKJV 

After the Lord Jesus was tempted by the evil one in the wilderness, He started preparing for His purpose here on earth. Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:14-15 NKJV 

Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee. And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:

“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles:  The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.”

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:12-17 NKJV Keep in mind, when something is at hand, it is very near in place or time. Jesus came to reintroduce the government of the Kingdom of Heaven. Only when He returned to His Father could the Holy Spirit come to live in our body, when we are submissive to His Word. That is why the King said "Repent", meaning to turn around, to turn away from. When the Lord Jesus was here on earth, He was the living Word, so everyone who saw Him were viewing and listening to God's 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 

Those of us who have never seen the King in His fleshly form, we have the written Word and we are required to accept it through faith. When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, He will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of His Son while we were still His enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of His Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. Romans 5:6-11 

Faith in the King and His written Word is the key to living a victorious Kingdom life in this present world. With all of its chaos, the end has been drawing to the final stage since the ascension of our Lord to His Father. His return has been growing near. By the way, this is why the evil one has been causing so much chaos in the air on earth because he knows that his time isn't long.

Why do I keep emphasizing the Holy Spirit--our Governor in the Kingdom? He is your key to becoming a citizen of the Kingdom. It is because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that we live in God's Kingdom while residing on earth. The Governor, the Holy Spirit, gives you power to walk in the Spirit and have the benefits of a Kingdom citizen. Without Him, you will always do what religious people call "backsliding". 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. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another. Galatians 5:16-26  I'm going to stop right here until next week. I want to encourage you to meditate on these verses in Galatians. Hold them up against your daily life. Do you see more of Kingdom living, being guided by the Holy Spirit? Or do you see more of the world reflected in your life? Be very truthful with yourself. We cannot truly repent without seeing what we are repenting for!

Until next time, remember that your faith in His Word 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