All men and women have some kind of faith.  The question is, what is the object of your faith?  Will the object of your faith make you whole or complete?  Will it restore you back in right-standing with your Creator?  Will it fill that hole in your soul that keeps you searching for something to fill it?  Please realize that if you want to be delivered, you first must focus your attention on Jesus the Christ.  He is the answer.  He is what you are searching for.  His Father God made that very clear.  

Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.  And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

Now take notice who was left after they got on their feet; King Jesus, the Son of the living God.  Why do many religious individuals, specifically leaders, keep calling on God rather than His Son, Jesus?  John the Baptist made this statement:

The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand.  He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.  The Father God leaves all judgment to His Son.   In addition, the Father judges no one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge, so that everyone will honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son is certainly not honoring the Father who sent him.  By the way, Jesus in any language is still Jesus.  Why do many avoid saying or mentioning the name of the King? There is power in the name of Jesus our Lord and Savior.  Speak His name boldly.   Who should you have in?  I will make this statement boldly.  Not in Buddha, Mohammed, Hinduism or any other religion.  The King holds the keys to eternal death and hell.    I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.

As I have stated many times, your faith in the King is the operating force in the Kingdom.  Read what King Jesus said to the woman who had a daughter possessed with a demon.  Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon.  A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.”

But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.”

Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.”

But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!”

Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.”

She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.”

“Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.

Notice, it was her faith that got His attention.  Go back and read that conversation again and remember that Kingdom living is all about living by faith in Him.

Matthew 17:1-8 NKJV   John 3:35-36 NKJV   John 5:22-23
​Revelation 1:18    Matthew 15:21-28 (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 you are a member of a group or organization, it is very important that they have the same thoughts and belief system.  In the Lord God's Constitution it states:  I hate the double-minded, But I love Your law.  A double-minded person cannot make up their mind between doing good or evil.  In most, if not all cases, they will favor the decision that most pleases them.  But when it comes to obeying the Lord God's principles and commands, there is no middle ground, no shades of gray.  You must take that stance to stand strong.  

In this so called "United States", there are many different religions and denominations, causing much division.  They divide mankind from acknowledging the Lord God's Son, Jesus the Christ.  In the ambassador's letter to the believers in Corinth, Paul made this statement:  I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.  

Those who have embraced the Kingdom concept only have one allegiance and that is to the Lord Jesus. They are the ones allowing the Governor (the Holy Spirit) to lead and guide them.  Having said that, many fail to live the Kingdom life because they either don't have the Governor or fail to listen to His leading and guidance.  In either case, they will wind up being a hindrance to the Kingdom message because people believe what others do more than what they say. 

When you embrace God's Constitution, it will lead to the Father God giving you His gift of the Holy Spirit (our Governor).  Remember, the Lord God and His Word are one.  The Father and I are one.  In order to truly walk in the Kingdom life's blessings and be prosperous in all areas of your life, you must be of the same mind; just as those who are building a house, must all have the same mindset, the same blueprints and "be on the same page", so to speak.  In order to get this Kingdom message out into the world effectively, we must all be on the same wavelength.  Ambassador Paul, in his letter to the citizens in Philippi, wrote Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.   Having the Holy Spirit guiding and leading us will keep us in line with His Constitution and there won't be any divisions among the citizens of the Kingdom.  Well, I suppose many of you will ask, how is this going to happen?  Stay in His Word and a transformation will take place. You have to surrender your body, soul (mind, will and emotions) and spirit to the Governor.  Ambassador Paul made it clear to the Roman believers:   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. 

Keep in mind, every individual who has a mind for business surrounds themselves with others who have a mind for business.  Like minds attract.  The Lord Jesus made this statement while He was here on earth concerning the Holy Spirit (our Governor):  Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me.  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 must share this one thing with you.  You must first start the process of being detoxed from those thoughts, ways and behaviors that are contrary to God's Word and His Kingdom.  That will only take place by you submerging your thoughts and mind in His Word (Constitution).  You may think I keep hammering on this one thing; but this one thing is all that counts.  People seek for the "keys to the Kingdom" but this one IS the one key you need.  When you get this, all else will fall into place.  Make the Kingdom your top priority.  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.

I remind you, the Kingdom of God isn't a religion, but it is a government.  We should prepare our minds to be challenged by those of a religious mindset.   So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude He had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin.  

I also feel led to remind you, Kingdom citizens do not get entangled in religious debates.  King Jesus did not get caught up in religious debates.  Speak the Gospel of the Kingdom. You are called to speak it, but not to convince anyone.  If they don't receive it, shake the dust off your shoes, move forward and keep preaching the Kingdom!   If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave.  I tell you the truth, the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah will be better off than such a town on the judgment day.

And always remember that your greatest asset is your faith in the King (Jesus the Christ).

Psalm 119:113 NKJV  I Corinthians 1:10   John 10:30   Philippians 2:1-4
Romans 12:1-2   John 14:25-26   Matthew 6:33-34; 10:14-15 NLT

~~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 the Kingdom, your faith doesn't operate in what you believe, as much as in whom you believe.  It was because of a lack of faith in the Lord God's Word that came through the  angel Gabriel, that Zechariah couldn't speak.  Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.”

Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was He who sent me to bring you this good news!  But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”

Keep in mind, Zechariah prayed to have a child, and yet he failed to believe in the message that he would have a child by the name of John.  Do you fully believe in the Word of His Constitution, or do you trust in your religious leaders and your religious beliefs? Do you think as Zechariah, that what you are praying for isn't humanly possible?  In this Kingdom, there is only one key: your faith in His Word. Anything other than that is a secular, religious mindset.  It is your faith in His Word that pleases the Lord God,  not even your praise and worship.  By the way, so much of what we call praise and worship today is merely live entertainment. We have become entertainment junkies!

​When you truly have faith in His Word, there are things in your life that will stand out in your behavior.  One of those things is your conduct being inline with His Constitution. When you truly believe and trust in His Word, fear and death have no part in your behavior or life.  When you believe in His Word, you know His promises are true.   Remember what the Lord Jesus said to ambassador John through the angel while on the Island of Patmos:  Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices shouting in heaven:  “The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever.”  We have much to look forward to like Abraham, who trusted in His promises.  It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac,  even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead.  

Now, in order for you to arrive at this level of faith, you must believe that He is your Creator, Source and the One and only living God.  You must believe in His one and only 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.  Your faith in His Son is your only opportunity for a Kingdom life.  You can't do it on your own, but only through King Jesus and the leading of the Holy Spirit (our Governor).  The Lord God sent His only precious Son to redeem and restore humanity to its original state; not to condemn, but to restore.  God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.  

Your faith should be in His one  and only Son who has all authority.  I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.  Also, remember that the Lord Jesus IS the 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.

When the Lord Jesus was praying or speaking to His Father, He made this statement:   After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him.  And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.  

Your total focus should be in your Lord and King by obeying and living by His Word, not man-made religious customs and traditions.  Remember, you are a Kingdom citizen of His government.  Your life is a witness to life in the Kingdom of God.  How well does it reflect His Word?  When ambassador Paul wrote to the believers in Philippe, he reminded them of their true citizenship.  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.  

It is your faith that causes you to operate in the Kingdom.  This is why it is your greatest asset.  Your faith in His Word must be solid.

Luke 1:18-20   Revelation 11:15   Hebrews 11:17-19   John 3:16, 17
Matthew 28:18   John 17:1-3   Philippians 3:;20-21  (all NLT)

~~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

Has this question confronted you once or more?  Well, if it has, check the answer that lies within you.  In my time on this earth I have learned that trust is accompanied by time.  In order for you to truly put your trust in someone, you must first believe in them and be on the lookout for their consistencies in behavior, deeds and lifestyle.  In essence, how they live their life, and if it lines up with what they say or what they preach.  The Lord Jesus is our perfect example.  He was consistent in all He said and did while He was here in this world.  He never wavered from the message His Father God had Him deliver to this world.  For three and a half years He taught and preached the Kingdom of God and yet many failed to embrace His Kingdom government message.

My question to you is, why did so many of those around Him fail to embrace His message?  Even His family failed to embrace His message.  But that didn't hinder Him from His mission.  After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death. But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters,  and Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles!  You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!”  For even his brothers didn’t believe in him.

Jesus replied, “Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime.  The world can’t hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil.  You go on. I’m not going to this festival, because my time has not yet come.”  There is only one reason His brothers didn't trust Him and that is because they didn't believe in Him as the Son of God.  If people don't believe in you, they will have a very difficult time trusting you and what you have to offer.  To trust is a process.  Time is involved.  In the Kingdom, your faith in the Lord Jesus is a key element to receiving 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.  It is a must that you trust and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, for He is the only one that can give you eternal life.  Regardless of what anyone says, the Lord Jesus is your key to the Kingdom government.  He is the only one who deserves your trust and allegiance. The Lord Jesus made this statement:  There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.  Nothing man can say to you should sway you once you have placed your trust in the Lord Jesus.

I have seen that when someone who has Kingdom principles pursues a position, promotion or government appointment, there will be strong opposition from those in the world, as they are being used by the evil one (Satan).  When you are in line with the Word of God, allow the Governor (Holy Spirit) to guide and use you to the fullest.  If God has a purpose for you being in a certain position, no man can be successful in stopping it.  

The ambassador Stephen was a great example of having complete trust and faith in the Lord Jesus.  Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia.  None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.

So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, “We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God.”  This roused the people, the elders, and the teachers of religious law. So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council.

The lying witnesses said, “This man is always speaking against the holy Temple and against the law of Moses.  We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”

At this point everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel’s.

You will be challenged and tested for your faith, but who or what do you trust? That question must be settled before the challenges and testing come!  If you notice, Stephen never mentioned anything about Christian faith.  He stood on the Words of His King.  He stayed faithful to God's Word, even unto death.   “You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you!  Name one prophet your ancestors didn’t persecute! They even killed the ones who predicted the coming of the Righteous One—the Messiah whom you betrayed and murdered.  You deliberately disobeyed God’s law, even though you received it from the hands of angels.”

The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage.  But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand.  And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!”

Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.

As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.

John 7:1-8; 3:16,18   Acts 6:8-15, 7:51-60

~~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

Those with a Kingdom mindset realize that their behavior and very existence is based on their faith in the King and His Word.  They realize it is their faith in Him that causes things to happen in His Kingdom, not in their religious beliefs.  If you have faith in the Son of the living God, He will recognize you regardless of who you are or where you are.   When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people, He returned to Capernaum.  At that time the highly valued slave of a Roman officer was sick and near death.  When the officer heard about Jesus, he sent some respected Jewish elders to ask Him to come and heal his slave. So they earnestly begged Jesus to help the man. “If anyone deserves your help, he does,” they said, “for he loves the Jewish people and even built a synagogue for us.”

So Jesus went with them. But just before they arrived at the house, the officer sent some friends to say, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honor.  I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.”

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd that was following him, he said, “I tell you, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!” And when the officer’s friends returned to his house, they found the slave completely healed.  Did you notice when He stated “I tell you, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!”  

The centurion wasn't religious, but he believed Jesus on a level that even the Lord Jesus' own people (the Jews) didn't believe in Him.  Keep this in mind, the Lord doesn't recognize your faith in your religion or your denomination.  What He does recognize is faith, trust and belief in Him.  Those of us who are living with a Kingdom mindset, operate not by what we see with our natural eyesight, but what we see through the eyes of our faith in the King.  Our faith in Him opens doors that aren't seen with the natural eye.  When you have a Kingdom mindset, you realize that what many people call a miracle is an ordinary means of operation in God's Kingdom.  

The ambassador Peter was operating by faith in the King when he commanded the lame man to rise and walk.   Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service.  As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple.  When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.

Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money.  But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”

Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.

All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God.  When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.  It was faith in the name of King Jesus Christ that caused the lame to walk; not their faith in a religion.  

It was also because of the faith in the Lord Jesus that the woman with the issue of blood was healed. Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind him. She touched the fringe of his robe, for she thought, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.”

Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

Your faith in the Lord God's Word is the key to all our needs for those who have a Kingdom mindset.  They realize that it is their faith and obedience that pleases their King.  They trust in all of His promises, just like His servant Abraham.   It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.  

If we are to receive our reward from our Lord and King we must maintain our faith in Him and His Word.  Ambassador Paul made this statement in a letter to the Hebrew believers:  All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.  

Faith is having Kingdom eyesight!  Remember, your faith in the Lord God's Word is your greatest commodity.

Luke 7:1-10   Acts 3:1-10   Matthew 9:20-22  
Hebrews 11:8-10, 13-16  all NLT

~~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​

To simplify, Kingdom living is being obedient to God's Constitution that He gave us to use are our guide.  If you want to live a victorious life, obey and live by His principles.  When living a life as citizens of the Kingdom, your greatest challenges will come from the most unlikely people.  Your biological family and closest friends may indeed be your biggest obstacles, at times, to Kingdom living. So fortify your mind to be strong in His Constitution.  For example, the Lord Jesus' brothers and sisters weren't on the same page.  They were some of His biggest critics against the Kingdom.  After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death. But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters, and Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!” For even his brothers didn’t believe in him.

Jesus replied, “Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime.  The world can’t hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil.  You go on. I’m not going to this festival, because my time has not yet come.”  After saying these things, Jesus remained in Galilee.  Notice that the Lord Jesus never put His biological father before His purpose or His mission for being here.  Can you say the same thing?  Also note, that His earthly father only played a small role in His earthly life.   This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!  She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’"

When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.  Keep in mind that even thought Joseph had a short part, in terms of time, it was significant.  Joseph fulfilled his role and was obedient to the Lord God's messenger.  In his situation, how many of us could say that of our behavior?  This man believed in the Lord God's Word.  How else could the scripture state "Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man..."?

First and foremost, Kingdom living is following the leading of the Holy Spirit (the Governor).  Keep in mind, Joseph could have ignored the angel's message and follow the law of Moses.   “Suppose a man marries a woman but she does not please him. Having discovered something wrong with her, he writes a document of divorce, hands it to her, and sends her away from his house. "  Remember, Joseph had the power of choice, but he chose to obey the Lord God's messenger (angel), and that was in a dream.  If you desire to become a leader, first you must learn how to follow instruction.  A great leader leads by example.  In essence, Kingdom living is all about learning how to follow instructions.  King David gave this charge to his son, Solomon:  As the time of King David’s death approached, he gave this charge to his son Solomon:

“I am going where everyone on earth must someday go. Take courage and be a man. Observe the requirements of the Lord your God, and follow all his ways. Keep the decrees, commands, regulations, and laws written in the Law of Moses so that you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go. If you do this, then the Lord will keep the promise he made to me. He told me, ‘If your descendants live as they should and follow me faithfully with all their heart and soul, one of them will always sit on the throne of Israel.’

Our children are to be taught the Kingdom principles by our lives and our behavior.  For example, telling them not to lie or steal won't do much good if they see you calling in sick from work just to get a day off or keeping things that don't belong to you.  Children hear what you say, but believe what you do.  Kingdom living is always on display.  You are called to be a walking, talking example of God's Constitution.  That is Kingdom living; not Christian living or religious living. It's not about symbols or catchy phrases. So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” It is about being guided and directed by the Holy Spirit as we travel through this world, in the midst of their rebellion against their Creator.  Remember, in the midst of ambassador Paul's trials he managed to encourage other citizens of the Kingdom (disciples).  When the uproar was over, Paul sent for the believers and encouraged them. Then he said good-bye and left for Macedonia. While there, he encouraged the believers in all the towns he passed through.  Yes, that is correct, we are to encourage others in the Kingdom, even when we go through trials.  This is all part of Kingdom living.  Also, I want you to realize, you can't do it in your own strength.  It takes our Governor (the Holy Spirit) working inside of you.   Those who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us.  Anything else is by your own efforts.  That becomes legalism.  There is freedom in being guided by the Holy Spirit. 

John 7:1-9   Matthew 1:18-25   Deuteronomy 24:1   I Kings 2:1-4
John 13:34-35   Acts 20:1-2   I John 3:24

~~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

Stop seeking some so-called "deep" revelation concerning the Kingdom concept.  I say that with profound conviction!  Many religious leaders, prophets, evangelists, preachers and teachers have made fortunes on the backs of sincere believers searching for the Kingdom of God (or Heaven).   They've found a way to make it seem complicated and elusive for believers to embrace His Word. The people believe that they can't "interpret the Bible" without the minister explaining what it means.  They want you to buy their books, teaching series, come to their conferences and give them your offerings. Most start out with a sincere desire to spread the Gospel, but when money comes into the picture, perspectives and motives change.  The truth is that if you study God's Constitution and listen to the Holy Spirit (the Governor) you will begin to understand the Kingdom of God.  It is the difference between being spoon-fed and being able to feed yourself.  It may seem easier and more palatable to just read a book or attend a conference.  That leaves you too dependent.  It is no wonder our Lord and King called them sheep.  

Most people who have a religious mindset fail to read and study the Lord God's Constitution.  The Lord Jesus made this statement: 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.  In order for you to know His Word (God's Constitution), you must take time with Him and read as well as study it.  The Lord Jesus even told us who the Counselor is:   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.  If you truly love the Lord God, first and foremost you must accept His Son.  You must hear Him!  Do you recall what the Lord God stated to Peter, James and John on the mountain with the Lord Jesus...and also what Peter said?  Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.

Peter exclaimed, “Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.” The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground.

Then Jesus came over and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” And when they looked up, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus.

The statement that the Lord Jesus  made to the disciples applies to all of us. 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.  Sadly, far too many church-going people are too lazy and "busy" to pick up the Constitution of the Lord God and read it for themselves.  Do you remember back in  history, when the Catholic church told their people what their Bibles said and refused them access to a Bible?  They even performed mass in Latin.  The same type of thing is happening now with religious people who refuse to read and study His Word. The religious leaders of today are leading people into their way of thinking; using some of the Kingdom principles to convince them. They make it hard for the people to embrace the Kingdom that they refuse to enter.   That usually adds up to money in their pockets.  This is what the Lord Jesus said about religious leaders:  What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either.  What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you cross land and sea to make one convert, and then you turn that person into twice the child of hell you yourselves are!  The same is true today.  Study those you choose to follow, their lifestyles and their words.  Read God's Constitution and listen to the Holy Spirit.  Does it line up with God's Constitution or is it self-serving?  

Here is a "spoiler alert":  1. Every time God's Constitution talks about seed, it isn't talking about giving money.  2.  Giving money to the church or the minister won't make you wealthy.  3.  God's Word promises that all our NEEDS will be met if we seek the Kingdom and His righteousness.  No one NEEDS mansions, luxury cars or a Rolex watch.  That is a perverted gospel.

Our responsibility as Kingdom citizens is to study, preach and teach the principles of our Kingdom government.  Our behavior in everyday life should reflect this on a constant basis.  We are not to preach hell and damnation.  Remember, the King came to restore mankind back to His Father.  God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him.  That will come at a later time.  The Lord Jesus made this statement:  ...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.  God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

There is no judgment against anyone who believes in Him. But anyone who does not believe in Him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.  But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.  What you do when you think no one is around will come to the light of others in due time.

Yes, Kingdom living isn't complicated and it isn't as hard to grasp as a mist.  Read God's Word.  Start with the four Gospels.  Listen to the Holy Spirit.  Be obedient to His Word and love Him.  If you love Him, keep His Commandments.  And remember, have faith!  It is your greatest asset in the Kingdom. Simple & uncomplicated.  It is only man and religion who make it complicated.  Let it all go.

John 14:15-17   Matthew 17:1-8; 6:33-34; 23:13-15  
John 3:17; 3:15-21 all NLT

~~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 a Kingdom perspective?  A Kingdom perspective is always in line with the Lord God's Word--His Constitution--and His Will for our lives. It is eternal and unchanging.  
When ambassador John wrote his first letter in the Lord God's Constitution, he made this statement:   I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.  When we make our decisions based on the Lord God's Word, we are living with a Kingdom perspective and viewing the world from a Kingdom perspective.  His Word will never pass away. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

The writer of the following Psalm in the Lord God's Constitution definitely had a Kingdom perspective when he wrote this statement:  Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands.  They will perish, but you remain forever; they will wear out like old clothing.  You will change them like a garment and discard them.  But you are always the same; you will live forever.  Those of you reading this should be encouraged if you have a Kingdom mindset, because in essence, your King, Creator and Source will never change or pass away.  You have that guarantee. Remember what the Lord God said through His representative Malachi.   I am the Lord, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed.

The ambassador James echoes these words:  So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.  He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.  Those words were written in his letter to all citizens of the Kingdom everywhere, for all time.  It was written to expose hypocritical practices and teach Kingdom principles and moral behavior.

Remember, Kingdom laws and principles are eternal.  They do not change with the whims of culture.  They do not change, as earthly government laws change, and allow for different interpretations to benefit and profit powerful people.  When you live with a Kingdom perspective, people mean more to you than material things.  By the way, with a Kingdom mindset, you will give more freely, while being led by the Governor (the Holy Spirit) because you understand that it is ALL God's and we are given access.

Remember what King Jesus said while here on earth:  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.  Did you notice how long He said the Holy Spirit would be with us?  Forever!  But there is a serious condition for you to receive Him (the Holy Spirit).  If you love me, obey my commandments.  There are no exceptions!

​When you live with a Kingdom perspective you see this world differently, you can repeat this statement of ambassador Paul:  For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven,  if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.  For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.

Ambassador Paul could speak those words because he knew his assignment and purpose for being here.  He also was filled with the Holy Spirit (the Governor). The Lord Jesus gave Saul his assignment and made him aware of his purpose.

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.”

View world events from a Kingdom perspective.  Make your decisions with a Kingdom perspective.  Kingdom living only comes through a Kingdom perspective.  A Kingdom perspective will always keep you in good standing with the King.

And remember, your greatest asset in the Kingdom is your faith in the King.

I John 5:13-15   Mark 13:31 NKJV   Psalm 102:25-27   Malachi 3:6
​James 1:16-17   John 14:15-17   2 Corinthians 5:1-11 NKJV
Acts 9:10-16 (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

From the beginning of creation, Adam was created to be the enjoyment of his Lord and Creator.  The only influence that he knew was the voice and the command of his King and Creator.  The Lord God gave the responsibility to manage His creation to Adam, and when Adam became disobedient to His command, He called Him to account, not Eve.  When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”  Note that Adam knew the voice of the Lord God, for he was fine tuned to his Source and Creator.  He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”  Please notice that Adam (mankind) actually had an ongoing conversation with his Creator, one on one, even though it was after he had sinned.  “Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?”

The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.”  

Sad but true, now comes the blame game.  Blaming the woman, as if the Lord God gave the leadership to her.  Keep in mind, the Lord God called out Adam when He addressed their disobedience.  Why?  Because Adam was given the responsibility of being in charge.  She was to assist him.  However the devil had deceived her to disobey their Creator.  It was a simple command.  The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.  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.”  It was a command of simplicity.  Simplicity means to have directness of expression; uncomplicated or uncompounded.  To be obedient to the laws of the King is a priority in the Kingdom of the Lord God. 

​The Lord God honors obedience to His Word and principles, rather than sacrifices to cover up your disobedience.  Read what He stated to King Saul through His representative Samuel:  One day Samuel said to Saul, “It was the Lord who told me to anoint you as king of his people, Israel. Now listen to this message from the Lord! This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has declared: I have decided to settle accounts with the nation of Amalek for opposing Israel when they came from Egypt. Now go and completely destroy the entire Amalekite nation—men, women, children, babies, cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and donkeys.”...Then Saul slaughtered the Amalekites from Havilah all the way to Shur, east of Egypt. He captured Agag, the Amalekite king, but completely destroyed everyone else.  Saul and his men spared Agag’s life and kept the best of the sheep and goats, the cattle, the fat calves, and the lambs—everything, in fact, that appealed to them. They destroyed only what was worthless or of poor quality.  

Many would rather attend a religious service, give an offering and go home unchanged than give up their "pet" sin.  There are people who believe they are in right standing with the Father who are living together without being married. Sexual relations outside of marriage is a sin, against God and against your body. They would rather keep enjoying the benefits, rather than be obedient to the Lord God's Constitution.  They live as if there will be no consequences for their disobedience. That is a deception of the evil one.  The simplicity of obedience is that you either are or you are not.  There are no shades of gray, no excuses or debates.  No need to explain all the reasons why you are still living together or why you lie, steal (even if it's office supplies from your job!) or gossip.  The Lord Jesus made it plain while speaking to ambassador John on the Island Patmos.  “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life.  All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.

But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”   

You say "It's too hard!  No one lives that way today."  But you can, with effort and a made up mind.  Anything worthwhile is worth the effort.  Isn't He worth it?  You say you love Him.  Is obedience harder than His death on the cross?  

When the Lord Jesus first came on out of the wilderness, His message was:  “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”  Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. ​ Nothing has changed.  His message resonates through me and those who are obedient to His Word.  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.

There are so many so-called believers who hear and believe like King Saul.  That a sacrifice of praise will substitute for their lack of obedience to His Word.  They are being deceived. We don't know better than God.  Remember what the Lord God spoke to King Saul:  
“What is more pleasing to the Lord:
    your burnt offerings and sacrifices
    or your obedience to His voice?
Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice,
    and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.
Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft,
    and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.
So because you have rejected the command of the Lord,
    he has rejected you as king.” 

Remember, the Old Testament represents His character--His laws and principles --and they never change.

Your faith in His unchanging Word is your foundation for eternity.

Genesis 3:8-9, 10-12   Genesis 2:15-17   I Samuel 15:1-3, 7-9
Revelation 21-6-8   Matthew 4:17, 23; 6:33-34   I Samuel 15:22-23 NLT

~~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