What is culture? What do you think of when you hear the word “culture”? Mirriam-Webster puts it this way: 1. a customary belief, social form and material traits of a racial, religious or social group. 2. the set of values, conventions, or social practices associated with a particular field, activity, or societal characteristic 3. the characteristic features of everyday existence (such as diversions or a way of life) shared by people in a place or time.
 
In the United States alone, there are an abundance of cultures. Worldwide it would be in the thousands. I am speaking of the way people choose to live and worship. There are many different religions and political leaders and their parties, looking to control the masses. But when you become born again of the Spirit of God, you become a citizen of His Kingdom. You become filled with His Spirit—meaning His Word. You are no longer of the present world as you may know it.  You are not part of this world or its cultures.  Your citizenship and its culture have changed. It is very important that we study the Word of the Lord God in order for us to know His Will. One complete body to present to the King.  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1  Culture is the way we live, behave and conduct our life. It is the way one thinks, which will cause them to live a certain way.
 
When you live in a Kingdom culture, you realize that there is only one King and God. We aren’t influenced by outside forces. We know He has all power and authority, both here on earth and in heaven.   And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth”.  Matthew 28:18 The Lord God’s Constitution produces a culture on how to live our lives. The key component is your faith in Him and being full of His Word. It is your faith that pleases Him. In God’s Constitution it reads:  But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
 
There are many religious leaders that sell books on faith. Your purchases line their pockets and caused them to be financially well off. But keep in mind, faith is our culture, it is how Kingdom citizens live and operate in this world. It is our way of life. Skip the middlemen and go right to the source for your knowledge. Read God’s Word and listen to the Holy Spirit for enlightenment. So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you; For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Luke 11:9-10
 
To those who are in right-standing with the King, ambassador Paul made this statement:  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17
 
Far too many Christians depend on religious leaders to preach to them and show them the way. But King Jesus made this statement:  “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. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to 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.  Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:15-18, 26-27

In order for you to operate in the Kingdom culture, you first must have a transformation of the mind.  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. Romans 12:2 NLT  No books that religious minded leaders want you to purchase can do that for you. It is only by His Word and the leading of the Governor that is the Holy Spirit. 

When you are full of the Lord God’s Word and the Holy Spirit, everywhere you go, the Kingdom culture goes with you. Jesus replied, “All who love Me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and We will come and make Our home with each of them. 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. John 14:23-24 NLT  It will change your world!
 
Remember, your greatest asset is your faith in the King.

All NKJV, 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 other day, after taking my wife to work, I saw a young man that I admire very much. He is a son of a pastor who is known widely throughout the area. My wife Arlene introduced him to me several years ago. I find magnetism in his smile and he and I always have a pleasant conversation. He is a likeable young man and a credit to his family.
 
The Governor—the Holy Spirit—had me share with him the importance of representing his name. Our conversations are always brief but inspiring. He is always respectful and listens like a faithful student. I mentioned to him how important it is to properly represent the family name. I told him to always keep that thought in mind; that whatever he does in life, he is representing his family.
 
The same holds especially true in the Kingdom of the Lord God. We are ambassadors of our Lord God’s Kingdom. For us to get tangled up in this world’s affairs is wrong and shameful. Ambassador Paul made it clear. We are ambassadors for King Jesus. What we say and do matters!  So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making His appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 2 Corinthians 5:20 NLT Remember that the Lord God values His name.
 
Even now as I write this article, there are citizens of the Kingdom going through persecution in different parts of the world just for mentioning the name of the Lord Jesus. There is power in the name of the Lord Jesus and that stirs up the enemy! Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11

Remember this, when you live according to the King’s Word, you represent Him well. There are many people who claim to represent the King and yet they are enemies of the cross of Christ. But as Kingdom citizens, we are a long way from home. 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 NLT
 
Yes, our citizenship is not on this earth, but in heaven. If you are a citizen of a country on this earth, that is one thing, but if you are a citizen of the Kingdom of God that is a completely different thing. One is temporary and the other is eternal. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. Mark 13:31

Keep in mind that the Lord is concerned about how we represent His Son and His name. King David wrote: For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me. . . Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; and deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins, for Your name’s sake! . . . Nevertheless He saved them for His name’s sake, that He might make His mighty power known. Psalm 31:3, 79:9, 106:8 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10
 
How you represent the King in your daily life is quite important to Him. We are to represent Him according to His Word, not according to the world’s standards. How many people have rejected King Jesus because of Kingdom citizens who have misrepresented His and His name? The world’s perception of Jesus is formed by those who proclaim to represent Him.
 
Instruct the young as well as the old if they want to change their lifestyle, and represent His name well, read what God’s Constitution states:  How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your Word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes. With my lips I have  declared all the judgments of Your mouth.

I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; will not forget Your Word.
 
Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your Word. Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law. I am a stranger in the earth; do not hide Your commandments from me. Psalm 119:9-19
 
Represent His name well. It is our responsibility as Kingdom citizens.
 
Remember your greatest asset is your faith in the King.

All NKJV, 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

Your culture reveals where you came from.  Always remember that the culture of the Kingdom of Heaven is synonymous with the nature of our King. When I speak of the characteristics of our Governor—the Holy Spirit—and His nature and culture, I am speaking about the qualities of our King Himself. The role of the Governor is to represent the King. If you have the Holy Spirit residing inside your mortal body, you should be representing the King in all you do. 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, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT
 
Keep in mind that our character should resonate with the Holy Spirit as we submit to Him. We must always measure ourselves with the Lord God’s constitution, religiously known as the Bible. To do that, we must read and study it every chance we get. Only when His Word is in us can we represent His Kingdom with power and accuracy. Ambassador Paul made that very clear when writing to Timothy:  Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 AMP
 
King Jesus wants you to understand the nature of the Kingdom so you can trust it and what it means to live in His Kingdom while you are here in this present world. That is one reason He kept giving His followers descriptions of what He is like. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. John 10:11  And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35
 
The Lord Jesus emphasized His nature, while other leaders and kings in His day displayed the very opposite nature. Read what King Jesus said about those kinds of leaders:   At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased You to do it this way! . . . “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:25-26, 28-30 NLT
 
After making that statement, He made another to give clarity:  But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28
 
The Lord had an assignment to demonstrate how to live while we were here on this earth. He promised us that He wouldn’t leave us to deal with the evil one alone. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it isn’t looking for Him and doesn’t recognize Him. But you know Him, because He lives with you now and later will be in you.  No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. John 14:16-18 NLT
 
To clarify, the whole idea of knowing the nature of the King is critical. Without understanding and embracing His nature we cannot fulfill our life and purpose in the Kingdom of God. From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life], for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17AMP
 
He is inviting all who hear and receive Him to become citizens of His Kingdom. He wants to reassure us of the nature of His Kingdom, not a religious organization. Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us. 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. Ephesians 2:18-19 NLT
 
It is the power of the Holy Spirit, our Governor in the Kingdom of God, that guides us in the culture of His Kingdom. Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you. 2 Timothy 1:13-14 NLT
 
Remember, your greatest asset in His Kingdom is your faith in His Word.

​All NKJV, 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 King we serve is a God of principles and order. Everything He created was established to operate by certain principles that guarantee its inhabitants proper function. For example, one of the most important of these principles ordained by the Lord God to protect and preserve His handiwork is the principle of environment. That was one thing I really had to ponder!
 
Now, the word environment is defines as circumstances, objects and conditions by which one is surrounded. In other words, the surroundings or atmosphere in which we live. Keep in mind that everything in this life was created to function within a particular environment that the Lord God prescribed for it before He created it. Notice how He laid the foundation, step upon step. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
 
Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.
 
Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. So the evening and the morning were the second day. Genesis 1:1-8
 
Now notice the process by which the Lord God created the plants and animals and how they have the same pattern. Before the Lord God spoke the plants and animals into existence, He gathered the waters together so that the dry ground would appear. Only then He spoke to the sea, commanding it to bring forth the variety of fish and sea creatures for the waters. Then God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas. And God saw that it was good.
 
Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 
 
Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.” So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” So the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
 
Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind”; and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:9-12, 20-25 Please take notice of how the Lord God prepared each unique environment for His creation. Then and only then He finally created man. Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:26-27
 
The verses I have mentioned above from God’s constitution clearly reveal that the Lord God is the source of all mankind. You can plainly see mankind was created to be in the image of the Lord God, who is Spirit, and to live in the same environment as the Lord God which is the realm of the spirit and the environment of the King. Read what the Lord Jesus stated to the woman at the well:  God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. John 4:24
 
Before the Lord God created everything in the world, He created a unique environment for that creation. Keep in mind, the environment of this world can be positive or negative, productive or non-productive, healthy or unhealthy depending on where you are. For example, if you place a goldfish on a table, after a short period of time, it will die, because it is out of its environment. It was created to live in water. And not just any water! Some fish need salt water, some fresh.
 
The Lord God, with great detail, created a unique environment for all of His creation. Mankind was created to walk on land and breathe in oxygen. He was not created to live in the sea. To flourish, we must be in the unique environment the Lord God created for His citizens. How well you function is dependent on whether or not you are in the environment the Lord God created for you. In the wrong environment you may survive, but never flourish!
 
We will continue with this next week.
 
Your greatest asset in the Kingdom is your faith in King Jesus and His Word.

​All NKJV, 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

Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The Kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the Kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:20-21 Religious people often find it difficult to understand the concept of the Kingdom of God for one main reason:  They have been taught to see the Lord Jesus and His time on earth through a religious mindset. Understanding the Lord God’s Kingdom government calls for a complete changing of one’s thinking. Moving from a worldly view to a Kingdom viewpoint requires a total turn around in their mind. Remember what ambassador Paul stated to His citizens at Rome.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2
 
The priorities of those who are of a Kingdom mindset are different from those who are of a religious and worldly mindset (remember that religion was created by mankind). Many of the things that the world values most are regarded as worthless in the Kingdom of God. The standards for evaluating greatness are very different between the world’s standards and the Kingdom of God's standards. “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” Mark 8:34-36
 
The world system judges greatness in terms of how much money, power and influence one has, while the Kingdom sees greatness in humility and selfless service. Remember, those with a worldly mindset cannot understand the Kingdom concept, especially those who are rich in things.  Just look at the rich young ruler:   Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”
 
“Why do you call Me good?” Jesus asked him. “Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.’”
 
The man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”
 
When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”
 
But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich.
 
When Jesus saw this, He said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” Luke 18:18-25 NLT The Lord Jesus knew that the ruler’s riches meant more to him than the Kingdom of God. Riches on this earth are temporary, but the Kingdom that the Lord God offers is everlasting. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. Mark 13:31
 
From a worldly perspective, things are an end in themselves. People seek the acquisition of things to satisfy their own selfish desires. They try to fill the emptiness in their hearts as well as to impress others. Their self worth is measured by their possessions and their worldly successes. All that is to advance their status and standing in the eyes of their society. Now on the other hand, for Kingdom citizens, money and things are a means to an end, never for selfish gratification but tools that enable us to bring blessings to others and advance the Lord God’s Kingdom on earth.
 
Be aware of how things can entice us. Mankind is motivated and preoccupied with the pursuit of things. There are few things in this world that are more seductive to the heart of mankind than the lure of materialism. Just take a look around. That lust for material things is even in our churches!  
 
Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 
 
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:6-11
 
Keep in mind that people will never understand or even see the Kingdom unless they are completely born of His Spirit. Read what King Jesus stated to Nicodemus. Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” John 3:3
 
People’s greed for things is one of the strongest of all motivators of mankind’s behavior often greater than even the motivators of love and family loyalty. When you feel that drive for “more” rising up within you, remember these verses, as they exemplify the concept of the Kingdom we must embrace:
 
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
 
The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good (spiritually perceptive), your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad (spiritually blind), your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
 
No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
 
Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
 
So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
 
Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:19-33

​What is your focus? What is it that you are truly seeking?
 
As always, remember that your greatest asset is your faith in the Word of the Living God.

​All NKJV, 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

Having confidence that we are citizens of the Lord God's government is a great encouragement, regardless of any situation. His Word stands strong in our lives! Keep in mind what King Jesus stated to His disciples, which still applies to us today. “If you love Me, obey My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it isn’t looking for Him and doesn’t recognize Him. But you know Him, because He lives with you now and later will be in you. John 14:15-17 NLT Those words are very important because King Jesus will always keep His promise. That is a great reason to have a smile on your face and be encouraged! 

Remember, the Lord God is in no way like mankind. Do you recall what the Lord God said to His representative, Balaam? You see, Balak wanted Balaam to curse the Lord God's people, Israel--the children of promise. Read what Balaam stated to Balak, the prince of Moab:  Then the Lord met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, “Go back to Balak, and thus you shall speak.”

So he came to him, and there he was, standing by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab were with him. And Balak said to him, “What has the Lord spoken?” Then he took up his oracle and said:  “Rise up, Balak, and hear! Listen to me, son of Zippor! “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do?
Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Numbers 23:16-19 

Ambassador Paul confirmed these very words concerning the Lord God's credibility. This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began. Titus 1:2 NLT Keep in mind that the Lord God always keeps His Word! The promises of the King are always intact. For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 2 Corinthians 1:20 That alone is a great encouragement to stand firm on His Word. 

We, as Kingdom citizens, should always be encouraged and not allow the enemy to keep doubt in our minds. You'll notice I stated "keep doubt in our minds". The enemy will bring doubt, but we have the power to keep it out of our minds. We have the power to guard our minds through the Holy Spirit. With every thought that comes, we choose whether to reject or embrace that thought. King Jesus promised us the Governor--the Holy Spirit--and He fulfilled that promise. The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”  Acts 1:1-5 Keep in mind, when the Governor came to those who were in the upper room, He came with clarity and power.  When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1-4 

There were several occasions while King Jesus was here on earth that He promised to send us the Holy Spirit--our Governor--if we were obedient to His Word. On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:37-39 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” Acts 5:32
 
Essentially, there is no reason in the Kingdom to be discouraged because the Holy Spirit in you is greater than any discouragement! Do not allow your heart or emotions to govern your life. Study the Word and allow the Holy Spirit to govern your life and decisions.  My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 3:18-20, 4:4

Remember, your faith in the King's Word is your greatest asset in His Kingdom.

​W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org

All scriptures are New King James translation except where noted.

These articles may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are sited at the end of the article as originally placed.  Thank you.

​We are ambassadors for the Lord Jesus Christ. Our nation is God’s Kingdom. We are sent to represent our King and His government (laws, culture, and principles), no matter where we may live here on earth.
 
So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know Him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
 
And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to Himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to Him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And He gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making His appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 2 Corinthians 5:16-20 NLT  We are to live in such a way that others should hunger to have what we possess.
 
It is vital that we stay in God’s constitution and walk by the Spirit. What do I mean by “walk in the Spirit”?  I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. Galatians 5:16-17  The Lord Jesus made this statement while speaking to His disciples:  It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63 The only way we can walk and live by the Spirit is to have the Word and the Holy Spirit living in you. There aren’t any substitutes. That is what a Kingdom ambassador does. Regardless of where they go, they represent the King’s government and nation.
 
When the Lord Jesus came to earth, He represented His Kingdom in every way. Read what He told John the Baptist’s disciples. Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.
 
And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”
 
Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” Matthew 11:1-6  Keep this in mind, being filled with the Governor—meaning the Holy Spirit—is a prerequisite for being an ambassador of the Kingdom of the living God.  
 
Remember, the Lord Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. Luke 4:1 The Lord Jesus required that His disciples were to be filled with the Governor—the Holy Spirit. Before the Lord Jesus left this earth to be with His Father, He made this statement. And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”  Acts 1:4-5
 
Before our Lord and King was to use Paul as an ambassador and apostle to the Gentiles, He had to be filled with the Holy Spirit. But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
 
And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. Acts 9:15-18
 
Ambassadors of the Lord God’s Kingdom don’t get entangled in this world’s affairs. When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you become an ambassador and the thought of death has no authority over you. You become bold in the King’s Word. Ambassador Paul was bold and unafraid of death or anything the world could do to him!
 
Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,  by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
 
And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:29-31 To make it more plain, an ambassador represents his own nation (Kingdom) and only his nation and its government.
 
Remember, your faith in the King and His Word is your most valuable asset in the Kingdom.

​W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org

All scriptures are New King James translation except where noted.

These articles may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are sited at the end of the article as originally placed.  Thank you.

​Yes! Representing the Kingdom and our King is a choice, but one that must be made. When you surrender your life to your Lord and King, you must adopt the standard and lifestyle that He requires in His Kingdom.
 
Regardless of your feelings, always acknowledge His presence and goodness toward you. Remember, as a citizen of the Kingdom, you should always be on your guard at all times because your enemy is like a roaming lion. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8 
 
This time and age in which we life, the devil wants to destroy your testimony of the Holy Spirit in your life. Regardless of what goes on, we must represent the Kingdom standard and not allow the way of this world to compromise our faith in Him. We must stay in His constitution and encourage others to do the same. The world is watching and they need to see a clear difference from their world and ours! Let’s read more of what Peter said in his first letter:  Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:6-11
 
I recall what ambassador Paul stated in his letter to the Believers in Ephesus:  Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. “Be angry, and do not sin”:  Do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.  Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:25-32
 
Yes, we must work, not for ourselves, but for those who are in need—meaning our brothers and sisters in the Lord. Ambassador Paul was very aware of not being selfish but helping to support the poor and those believers who were in need. “And now I entrust you to God and the message of His grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those He has set apart for Himself.
 
“I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or fine clothes. You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:32-35 NLT  It is imperative we represent the Kingdom in all that we say and do!
 
Remember, we own nothing! It all belongs to our Father God. You work on a job provided by Him and make good money, then you should share with your fellow citizen of the Kingdom as the Holy Spirit leads you. The Holy Spirit—which I call the Governor—will teach and guide you. “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. John 14:25-26  In essence, the Governor makes every individual a genuine representative of the Kingdom.
 
Keep in mind, on this earth, the Lord God has many citizens of His Kingdom who are ambassadors that are being transformed even as we speak. Remember, on the day of Pentecost, when the Governor—Holy Spirit—arrived, there were many languages and cultures there and they all heard the Kingdom message in their own tongue. When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
 
And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitudes came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 
 
Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” Acts 2:1-11
 
In order to be a genuine representative of the Kingdom, you first must be filled with the Holy Spirit—your Governor in the Kingdom.
 
Always remember that your greatest asset in His Kingdom is your faith in Him—His Word.

​W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org

All scriptures are New King James translation except where noted.

These articles may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are sited at the end of the article as originally placed.  Thank you.

The gospel of the Kingdom of God was the only message that King Jesus preached. At every opportunity, He reiterated its exclusive nature. The Lord Jesus never taught or preached any other gospel message but the Kingdom of His Father’s government. His message was exclusive. Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.”
 
And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
 
Then He said to another, “Follow Me.”
 
But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”
 
Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the Kingdom of God.”
 
And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.”
 
But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God.” Luke 9:57-62
 
How often do you make a commitment to the Lord God or anyone else without first considering the cost to you in the long run—time, energy, money, priorities, commitments or inconveniences?
 
Why do we make commitments without first counting the cost of that commitment? We have not settled in our minds what is our main focus and number one priority! That opens us up to attempting to be “loyal” to many different things, pulling us in many directions. Have you heard the phrase “Jack of all trades, master of none”?
 
When you have divided loyalties, you fail to focus on your number one priority. When you have a number one priority, you know where to start first.  You also know when to say no and what to put aside. Our King Jesus told us what our first priority was to be: But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33  Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.
 
Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?
 
“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 12:22-31
 
If we want the Lord God’s best, we must learn to be obedient and focused on His commands. When we are laser-focused on His Word there isn’t any room for anything else. There are many who listen to the Word and read and study His constitution but fail to put it into practice in their lives. They have the knowledge but still have divided loyalties and weak commitments. Read what King Jesus said to a woman who called out to Him, giving a compliment:  And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!”
 
But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it!” Luke 11:27-28
 
Focus Point:  Do you recall what the Lord Jesus stated to the crowd as He taught them? “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24 The Lord Jesus gave us only one responsibility to adhere to:  Seek His Kingdom first. That is the priority to this very day.
 
There are many individuals who follow the Lord Jesus, and some who are seeking the Kingdom of God, for what they hope to receive. If so, what they hope to receive is their first priority and where their loyalty lies. This is the exact opposite of the correct motivation, according to the Lord Jesus. The Kingdom of the Lord God isn’t a “bless me club”. We get it backwards! We don’t follow the Lord God to get Him to pay our bills. We follow Him because He is our Lord, King and Creator!
 
Focus Point:  The Kingdom priority is also our first priority in regard to our biological family and our relationships. Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see Him, but they couldn’t get to Him because of the crowd. Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, and they want to see You.”

Jesus replied, “My mother and My brothers are all those who hear God’s Word and obey it.” Luke 9:19-21 NLT 

Then He said to another, “Follow Me.”
 
But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”
 
Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the Kingdom of God.” Luke 9:59-60  The Lord Jesus called a man who appeared to be willing to follow Him, but the man wanted to wait until after he buried His father. Keep in mind that the man felt bound by his social, legal and moral obligations to care for his parents. According to Jewish culture, to dishonor one’s parents was a gross sin. Honoring one’s parents is so important that the Lord God established it as the fifth commandment. Only the commandment to honor the Lord God is more important.
 
Focus Point:  Notice again how the Lord Jesus responded to the man’s request in verse 60:  Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the Kingdom of God.”
 
The Lord Jesus was simply stating that no priority takes precedence over the priority of the Lord God’s Kingdom government. The Kingdom is more important than family, friends, career or personal ambitions. In essence nothing is more important then the Kingdom of God!
 
Remember, your faith in the Lord God’s Word is your greatest asset in the Kingdom.

W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org

All scriptures are New King James translation except where noted.

These articles may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are sited at the end of the article as originally placed.  Thank you.

Think about this:  The religion that is called Christianity is failing because it is divided by many factors, such as color (that the world labels as race), culture, denomination, and economic status. Why do I say color and culture rather than race? Because there is only one race and that is the human race.  Then God said, “Let Us make human beings in Our image, to be like Us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”

So God created human beings in His own image. In the image of God He created them; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:26-27 NLT

That unites us. Yes we are one race—human! Many people are blinded. Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again:  “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, lest they should see with their eyes, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.” John 12:39-40  Please understand that though this is referring to the religious sect of the Lord Jesus’ day, this still applies to us in this day and time. Satan uses lies, deception, fear, and unbelief to separate the people of God. I’ll bet that each of you can think of someone whom you would have considered a friend—maybe a close friend—that has distanced themselves from you this past year. This past year has been saturated with lies, deception and fear and it has brought a great division, even among God’s people.
 
Religion is full of tradition and customs, and in most cases it has nothing whatsoever to do with God’s Kingdom. It often focuses more on manmade laws than God’s Word. Manmade laws and traditions, bring division. Read what the Lord Jesus answered when religious teachers accused Him of being possessed by Satan because He was able to cast out demons: So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand." Mark 3:23-25
 
In the Kingdom, there is no division or chaos! We should all be speaking the “same language”. Why, then, would we accept divisions amongst Believers and their churches (denominations)? The Lord God, His Son and the Holy Spirit are one. Our Lord and King made this statement:  I and My Father are one. John 10:30 Remember that the Lord God has you in His hands. You are secure in Him. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. John 10:28-29 
 
The Lord Jesus came to restore His Kingdom and not a religion. In a kingdom there is only one authority and that is the King Himself. Religion separates and divides, in the Kingdom all are one under the King. It was in His prayer. “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” John 17:20-23
 
The only division is between the Kingdom and the world. When you seek the Kingdom first, you will discover that you are separating from the world and all that is connected to it. Hear what the Lord Jesus said:  “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.” Luke 12:49-53
 
Question to consider:  Do you find that there are many in your family that are religious but fail to live by the King’s Word? They may even have their own “interpretation" of what His Word means. Maybe they have even taken scripture out of context and blended it with the world’s current collective mindset to make it “politically correct”. If you read the four Gospels, you will see that our Lord Jesus was never “politically correct”!
 
When we allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us, we will begin to see where we are inline with God’s Word and where we need a course correction.  Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.
 
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. John 14:23-26
 
Knowing what the Lord God wants from you, be diligent to read and study God’s constitution everyday. Make time—make it a priority—because it is food and nourishment for your spirit. In order for us to grow in our faith and trust in Him, we must feast on His Word daily. I would be embarrassed if  an ambassador of God’s Kingdom spoke these words to me:  There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s Word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. Hebrews 5:11-14 NLT

We are living in a day when it is imperative that we model unity in the Kingdom to the world. One mind, one Word, one purpose--advancing the Kingdom of God throughout our community, our region, our nation and our world! And this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14
 
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion.

For there the Lord commanded the blessing—life forevermore. Psalm 133
 
Remember what I always say—Your greatest asset in the Kingdom is your faith in His Word!

W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org

All scriptures are New King James translation except where noted.

These articles may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are sited at the end of the article as originally placed.  Thank you.

What do I mean when I say this? Allow me to give an illustration. The other day while relaxing on my front porch, an acquaintance came up to me and sat down on the steps to talk. He worked nearby and we had talked before, often about the Kingdom of God. He informed me that he was still having pain in his neck, which hindered his life and work greatly. He had recently had surgery and was still having severe pain from time to time. He said that he had turned his life around from what he used to be and he would appreciate it if we would pray for him. I assured him we would. We had been praying for his healing for months, as we knew about his ongoing pain. But this day, when he sat and talked with me, out of the blue he mentioned that if the opportunity came up he would have sex with a woman, being that he was single, as long as she was also single! I will admit I was surprised! Now, what does God’s constitution have to say about having sex without being married to that person? Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Hebrews 13:4 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 1 Corinthians 6:18-19
 
Do you recall when the Lord Jesus healed the man at the pool at Bethesda? Remember what the King told him when He saw him in the temple? After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”
 
The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”
 
Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.
 
And that day was the Sabbath. The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.”
 
He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’ ”
 
Then they asked him, “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?”
 
But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” John 5:1-14
 
It is my belief that the King saw the environment or company he was keeping and that it would lead him back into a world of disobedience. The Lord Jesus was admonishing him to change his life so he would not ultimately end up worse than before his healing. Here is what I mean when I say “there’s no giving just 50 percent in the Kingdom”: We want the King’s best for our life, but don’t want to give Him our best. Have you heard the saying, “having your cake and eating it too”? That is what people want! You want His healing for your body, but don’t want to live by the King’s commands. We want all of His blessings of the Kingdom, but still want to enjoy all the pleasures of the world, while ignoring His commands.  “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15 Too often, Believers enjoy the pleasures of the world, while praying for His continued grace and mercy, and wonder why their lives are filled with chaos, pain, worries and woes. What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.
 
You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit He has placed within us should be faithful to Him.  And He gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
 
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor. James 4:1-10 NLT
 
The Lord Jesus gave the same reply to the woman caught in the midst of adultery. He didn’t condemn her. Read what He told her, just as He did to the lame man He had spoken to earlier.  Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.
 
So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 
 
Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”
 
She said, “No one, Lord.”
 
And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” John 8:2-11
 
In the Kingdom of the Lord God, there is a standard that we must adhere to and that is told in His constitution. It contains the Lord God’s laws, commands, principles, rights, benefits and responsibilities. Then He tells us to choose to follow Him. We live with those choices. Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep His commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in His ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy.
 
But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy.
 
Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! Deuteronomy 30:15-19 NLT
 
Just like the man who told me that he was a believer, but wanted to indulge in the flesh (what God’s Word calls fornication) if the opportunity presents, be careful of the company you keep and the thoughts you entertain. Ambassador Paul writes of this very thing:  I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.
 
For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore put away from yourselves the evil person. 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 You have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not commit adultery.” But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:27-28
 
Remember, your faith in the King is your greatest asset in the Kingdom. 

W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org

All scriptures are New King James translation except where noted.

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King Jesus made this command while down here on earth:  “Don’t worry!” Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Luke 12:22 NKJV Why? Because worry doesn’t change anything and it shows your level of trust and faith in God’s Word. Regardless of all the evil one puts this world through, we as Kingdom citizens are to stand tall on His Word!
 
Please note:  Most of us spend our time filled with anxiety about things we cannot change or that will never even happen. In either case, worrying is pointless. By the way, I am practicing what I teach. My faith in Him is getting stronger in His Word. Always remember, anxiety changes nothing. Anxiety consumes our peace, energy, time, talents, gifts, wisdom, strength and knowledge. It even consumes our imagination and ability to think clearly. This is why I stay in His Word and why it is vital that you do also. It fuels our faith in Him. We should have King David’s heart for the Lord God’s Word:  “How can a young person stay pure? By obeying Your Word. I have tried hard to find you—don’t let me wander from your commands. I have hidden Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Psalm 119:9-11 The only thing that worrying accomplishes is to make one sick, causes your blood pressure to rise, and opens the door to depression. Stress causes veins and arteries to constrict and reduce your blood flow. Need I remind you that you are filled with anxiety because you have misplaced priorities, which causes you to have misplaced faith?   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? Luke 12:24-26  
 
Focus Point:  When we realize who our true source and provider is, we will come to the realization that our total faith and trust is only for our Father and His Word. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock. Isaiah 25:3-4
 
Please note:  In the Kingdom, invisible things of the Spirit are much more real than the physical we now experience because we were made by the Word of the living God. Remember, we were a spirit before we had a body! Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]. For by this [kind of] faith the men of old gained [divine] approval.
 
By faith [that is, with an inherent trust and enduring confidence in the power, wisdom and goodness of God] we understand that the worlds were framed and created [formed, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose] by the Word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. Hebrews 11:1-3 AMP
 
The problem we have is that we have misplaced our faith. We have changed the focus of our direction and source. Instead of looking to the Kingdom and our Heavenly Father, we look to ourselves or mankind—spouse, parent, employer, pastor, and the government—to sustain us. When you have more faith in doctors, medicine and mankind in general, your faith is misplaced and you have opened yourself up to anxiety, worry and fear! Man will let you down, the Lord God won't!
 
If you are looking to anyone or anything else other than the Lord God, our Father and King of Heaven as your source, you will struggle and your life just won’t come together.
 
Please note:  Any religion that focuses on the acquisition of things and meeting personal needs is a religion of modern day paganism. Pagan is a broad term covering many definitions, including hedonism (representing those who are sensual, materialistic, self-indulgent and worship the pleasures of life), new age, wicca, and nature worship (by placing a higher value on all of nature than God the Creator and mankind). My focus in this context is pertaining to the great focus in today’s religions on “me”. When our focus and prayer life is consistently focused on our own problems, needs, wants, pleasures, comforts and desires, we become the focus of our worship! Therefore do not worry or be anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted), saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ For the [pagan] Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; [but do not worry,] for your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His Kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:31-34 AMP
 
The Gentiles were considered to be pagans (or heathens). Our pre-occupation with material things, wealth and getting ahead in this world system is nothing short of paganistic behavior. It is hedonistic in many cases. For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, [and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them. 2 Timothy 3:2-5 AMP
 
King Jesus told us in His Word that all our needs are met. All we are required to do is to seek first His Kingdom! Those of us who truly know the Lord God as our Source and Supplier will not have these worries and anxiety because we are confident that He has taken care of us. Complete trust in God brings peace, no matter what is going on in the world. But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also. Matthew 6:33 AMP

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6

Remember, your greatest asset is your faith in His Word!

W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
 
(Don't Worry Conclusion)

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I have hidden Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11
 
What does it mean to sustain someone? It is to strengthen or support physically or mentally. What sustains us must be strong, immovable, unchanging and unshakable! How does that fit your relationship with King Jesus in the Kingdom?
 
As I read and study the Lord God’s Constitution, I realize that not only does it encourage me, but it also cleanses and keeps me from all uncleanness (unrighteousness). Read what King Jesus told His disciples.  You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you.  Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in Me. John 15:3-4
 
What the King is saying when He states “remain in Me” is that He is the Word; live by its decree.
 
Focus Point:  King Jesus was the Word that became flesh. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 NKJV
 
This is why it is vital to read and study the Lord God’s Constitution on a consistent basis. Our life depends on Him. If we truly love Him, we will hunger for His Word! It will cleanse you and keep you from all disobedience. It will keep you stable, even when your whole world is shaking! If young men and women want to stay out of harm’s way, they must stay in the Word. How can a young person stay pure? By obeying Your Word. Psalm 119:9
 
His Word will sustain you in the midst of chaos and trouble.
 
Focus Point: King Jesus made this statement while speaking to His Father: “Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy.  I have given them Your Word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. John 17:13-16 
 
Remember, the Lord Jesus stated to His Father that Believers of His Word are not of this world, even as He wasn’t of this world. It is the Word that makes the difference in our lives. And it is the Word that irritates and angers the world. There is power in God's Word. The Lord Jesus didn’t only give His life so that we might be free, but to fulfill our purpose and assignment on this earth. We are cleansed through His Word. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is truth. John 17:17 NKJV Ambassador Paul made this statement in his letter to the Hebrews: During My time here, I protected them by the power of the name You gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold. Hebrews 4:12
 
The Lord God’s Constitution is not simply a collection of words from the King or a method of communicating ideas, as some may think. It is living, life-changing and dynamic as it works in us. Remember, Jesus said: I tell you the truth; this generation will not pass from the scene before all these things take place. Heaven and earth will disappear, but My Words will never disappear. Mark 13:30-31 His Word will last for eternity. He is King and a King’s word never changes. For His Word to change He has to change and that will never happen.  “I am the Lord, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed.” Malachi 3:6
Make the King’s commands your lifestyle. It is His Word that sustains you, come what may.
 
Here are some sustaining Words to get in your heart:
For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. Psalm 84:11
 
Who have I in heaven but You? I desire You more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever. Psalm 74:25-26
 
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 NKJV
 
 But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3
 
For I hold you by your right hand—I, the Lord your God. And I say to you ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.’ Isaiah 41:13
 
Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” Mark 11:22-26
 
Remember, your greatest asset is your faith in the Word of God.

W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
 
These articles may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are sited at the end of the article as originally placed.  Thank you

​What is sin? Sin comes down to disobedience to God’s Word. In sin, we separate ourselves from the Kingdom by act or thought. For example, in the Old Law, the Lord God stated: You shall not murder. Exodus 20:13 NKJV but King Jesus, who came to fulfill the law--“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 5:17-19—showed us that it was not only the act of murder, but also the thought of murderous intent. You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell. Matthew 5:21-22
 
Another comparison is the physical act of adultery. King Jesus tells us that it is not only the physical act that is sin, but also even a lustful look and thought that you allow to stay in your mind. He also includes divorce for any reason except the spouse’s physical death or they commit adultery (moral death). Read what He continues to say:  “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.” Matthew 5:27-30
 
King Jesus gives us more to think about as He continues on: “You have heard the law that says, ‘A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written notice of divorce.’ But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.
 
You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’ But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is His footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King.  Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.” Matthew 5:31-37
 
Keep in mind that He wasn’t drawing up a code for people in general. He was describing life in the Kingdom; the kind of life we should live if we are to stay in the Kingdom. There is a difference from being saved(our eternal salvation) and living a life in the Kingdom of God here and now. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33  When Jesus spoke in parables about the Kingdom, they were examples pertaining to our life here on this earth. He showed us what our lives should look like, what we should do and believe. He built our faith to be victorious now in our daily lives!
 
How do you know if you are living your life in the Kingdom of God? Hold your life up to that scripture. Ask yourself, does my life look like the words of King Jesus or like the world I live in? Are you able to love your enemy and not return evil for evil? Sometimes showing love is just remaining silent and not saying what your emotions want to say! “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven; For He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48
 
Many Christians today think that following what King Jesus says in Matthew 5 isn’t possible; that it is impractical for the world we live in today. Those beliefs show they are living in the world and not in the Kingdom. His Word is unchanging. But it is impossible without being filled with the Holy Spirit—our Governor—to lead and guide us!
 
My point is this: every departure from these laws, principles and attitudes of the Kingdom will turn out badly because it is a rejection of God’s Kingdom government. A life pleasing to the Lord God has to be lived one way—by seeking the Lord God’s way and His righteousness. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 That is to be our first priority. When we put things in proper order, everything else will fall into place. This isn’t as difficult as it seems, with the Holy Spirit—our Governor—and the grace and mercy of our Lord! He doesn’t expect perfection, but repentance and a humble obedient spirit. King Jesus told us again His priority for blessings: As He was speaking, a woman in the crowd called out, “God bless Your mother—the womb from which You came, and the breasts that nursed You!”
 
Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the Word of God and put it into practice.” Luke 11:27-28
 
If you live according to His Word, you will want to praise and worship Him. You will want to show people the love of Jesus Christ. You will want to be faithful to your spouse. You will grab any temptation thrown at you and cast it out before it takes root in your mind and emotions. The longer you stay in the Kingdom the more automatic this becomes. Remember that what we “feed” grows. What we “starve” dies. The Lord God has two hands: the hand of grace and mercy and the hand of judgment. It is our choice which hand we take from. The Lord God loves His creation so much that He gave us free will. We get to make decisions about how we will live our life. Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying Him, and committing yourself firmly to Him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Deuteronomy 30:19-20
 
Feed on His Word, be led by the Holy Spirit, receive the Lord God’s grace and mercy, and show those around you His love and the blessings of living in the Kingdom of God! You don't have to depart from the Kingdom. The choice is yours. Our Lord never turns away from us, but some are lured away by the temptations of this world.
 
Remember, as always, your greatest asset in the Kingdom is your faith in the Word of God.

​W.R. Luchie
D. Arlene Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
 
These articles may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are sited at the end of the article as originally placed.  Thank you

The Lord Jesus was with the Father from the beginning. In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through Him, and nothing was created except through Him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it….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 1:1-4, 14
 
Doing what is right as a citizen of the Kingdom is submitting your will to the Holy Spirit—our Governor. Doing what is right in the sight of the Lord God is only possible through the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit for He will lead you by His truth. Just as with any other government or nation, to know what is right and wrong, you must first be aware of its constitutional laws. Unlike any other country or government, we have only one King to answer to and that is King Jesus. Obeying His Word and making it our lifestyle is our standard—the right thing to do. Remember, that Jesus is the Word made flesh. Before there was a human man on earth named Jesus, He was the Word. If we say we love Jesus, want to know Him and be like Him, we must know God’s Word!
 
From the very beginning, the Lord God instructed Adam as to what was right and required of him. He also told him what would happen if he failed to obey His commands. 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.” Genesis 2:15-17
 
From the very beginning, the Lord God wanted mankind to praise and worship Him. Doing what is right in the sight of the Lord God, is being obedient to His commands. Obedience is one way to worship Him.  His principles have never changed and never will. He made that perfectly clear while the children of Israel were in the wilderness. So Moses cried out to the Lord for help, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. Moses threw it into the water and this made the water good to drink. It was there at Marah that the Lord set before them the following decree as a standard to test their faithfulness to Him. He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, obeying His commands and keeping all His decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you.” Exodus 15:25-26
 
In the world system many leaders have their own agenda of how to run the country, their citizens and its government. But they have other leaders, and political, fraternal and religious groups to please in order to remain in good standing with them. The country is run not only by the leader, but by all who have influence or authority over them. This brings division and strife, which is of course expected in the world. But in the Kingdom of God, all that is required is to be obedient to His Word and He will do the rest. If you love Me, obey My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate,  who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it isn’t looking for Him and doesn’t recognize Him. But you know Him, because He lives with you now and later will be in you. John 14:15-17 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33 NKJV
 
Worship is part of being in right standing in His sight. Worship isn’t only singing or praying; it is also obedience. That is our greatest worship and positioning in the Kingdom of God. “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.” 1 Samuel 15:22-23  When you obey His Word you submit to His will over yours and are demonstrating your love and loyalty to your King. You are submitting to His authority. Being right in the sight of the King is obeying His Word.
 
Be watchful of false gods (idols) being part of your life. That is anything or anyone you place above the Lord God in your life. Don’t embrace other cultural traditions that would put you in a position of some form of worship that goes against God’s Word. Listen to the Holy Spirit, our Governor, for wisdom and discernment.   Be careful to obey all My commands, so that all will go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and pleasing to the Lord your God. When the Lord your God goes ahead of you and destroys the nations and you drive them out and live in their land, do not fall into the trap of following their customs and worshiping their gods. Do not inquire about their gods, saying, ‘How do these nations worship their gods? I want to follow their example.’ You must not worship the Lord your God the way the other nations worship their gods, for they perform for their gods every detestable act that the Lord hates. They even burn their sons and daughters as sacrifices to their gods.
So be careful to obey all the commands I give you. You must not add anything to them or subtract anything from them. Deuteronomy 12:28-32
 
Being right in His sight all comes back to obedience. Not obedience born out of fear, but love.  Worship, giving offerings, resisting temptations, spreading the Gospel, leading others to Jesus, and anything else you could add to this list all comes down to obeying God's Word. His Word is the same--past, present and forever. 

Always remember, your faith in the Lord God’s Word is your greatest asset in the Kingdom. 

W.R. Luchie
D. Arlene Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
 
These articles may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are sited 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

From the very moment Adam failed to keep the Father's command, this world fell out of favor with their Creator, the Lord God. Then came his punishment: And to the man He said, “Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed because of you. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it. It will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will eat of its grains. By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.” Genesis 2:17-19 

It is because of that failure to treat the Lord God's Word as top priority that we are in this situation.  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.” Genesis 2:15-17 He listened to the message that the devil passed on to the serpent and then to his wife (companion). Note the procession. The devil never approached the man, but came through the woman. 

The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”

“Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’”

“You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” Genesis 3:1-5 ​

By the way, that is a conversation that should never have taken place. The Lord God gave Adam specific orders and Adam passed it on to his wife. Notice, at no time did the devil ever approach the man directly, but through a second and third party. It was Adam's responsibility to make sure that the Lord God's orders were followed through. It was Adam's responsibility to convey the Lord God's orders to those under him. It was Eve's responsibility to follow those orders given by her husband, believing it was from the God.

This order can only happen in this fallen world when the husband and wife are filled with the Spirit of the Lord God. Otherwise it will be filled with chaos as we see it today. Notice, the Lord God called out the man first:  Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:9 Please understand this one thing: The Lord God does all things decently and in order. That is why it is so important to keep reading and studying God's Constitution. In this world, the enemy will continue throwing all manner of distractions at you to keep you from focusing on the Father's purpose for your life. He doesn't have to "take you out", he only has to keep you distracted and unfocused! Now I want you to notice that all things were put under Adam's authority. That is why the serpent was punished as well. He failed to obey the command that Adam received from his Father and Creator. 

Keep in mind, being in a fallen world, the enemy (the devil) will use any means at his disposal to keep you in chaos and disobedience to the Lord God's Word; for it is His Word that gives you abundant life. The Lord Jesus made that very plain when speaking to the crowd. When King Jesus characterized Himself as the Good Shepherd, here is what He said: The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. John 10:10-11 NKJV

​​It is because we live in a fallen world that we have murders, pain, strife, adultery, gender confusion, and all manner of evil and perversion. The Kingdom and the fallen world are completely separate. Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 It is because this is a fallen world that there are wars around the world. It is because this is a fallen world that religion separated the people of the Lord God! Even as I write this article, the evil one is on the attack. Don't be surprised of what you hear or see these days, for the devil knows his time isn't long here and he is getting desperate. 

Do you think that King Jesus came to this fallen world to bring peace and harmony? He did not. Read here what He said about that: "I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning! I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of Me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished. Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other! From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of Me, and two against—or two in favor and three against. ‘Father will be divided against son and son against father; mother against daughter and daughter against mother; and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’” Luke 12:49-53 Those are the words of King Jesus!

Some may think, how can that be?! Briefly, the people in this world who aren't filled with the Governor--the Holy Spirit--can't tolerate those who are. The Holy Spirit is our way out of this fallen world, even as we continue to reside in it. It is how we may be "in this world, but not of this world". The devil has no place or entrance into the Kingdom of God. That is why, in the Kingdom of God there is no chaos!

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

 ​All NLT except where noted

​~~W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
 
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed.  Thank you

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

All scriptures NLT unless noted.

~~W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
 
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed.  Thank you

A Kingdom mentality has everything to do with total faith in the King and His Kingdom.  

Now, what do I mean by "mentality"?  1.  The mode or way a person thinks; 2. The mental power or the capacity to think--intelligence.  When you were born again by His Spirit, you became a brand new individual. The real you--meaning the spirit man--became a citizen of the Kingdom of God.  Do you recall what the Lord Jesus said to the teacher who came to Him after dark one night?  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.”  Take note of King Jesus' statement to the religious ruler!  Having a Kingdom mentality requires us to be filled with the Holy Spirit--our Governor.  Being born again by His Spirit makes us a genuine citizen of the Kingdom.  Then you will seek to please the King at all times.  We as citizens of the Kingdom of the Lord God should always be seeking to know about His constitution--God's Word.  One of the writers in His constitution--the Bible--made this statement:  Their hearts are dull and stupid, but I delight in Your instructions.  My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to Your decrees.  We should always be mindful of who created us and why we exist.  ​Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver.  You made me; You created me.  Now give me the sense to follow Your commands.  

Having a Kingdom mentality is what separates us from the religious community.  Those of us who have a Kingdom mentality put our faith completely in His Word and lean on Him for everything.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.  

We, who have a Kingdom mentality, feed off of His Word.  We know our priority.  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.   

Those who have a Kingdom mentality, walk this earth knowing that we are in this world system but definitely not of it.  Read what the Lord Jesus prayed to His Father:   “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in Me through their message.  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.  Father, I want these whom You have given Me to be with Me where I am. Then they can see all the glory You gave Me because You loved Me even before the world began!

“O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know You, but I do; and these disciples know You sent Me.  I have revealed You to them, and I will continue to do so. Then Your love for Me will be in them, and I will be in them.”  Notice the Lord Jesus used the term...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... In other words, there is no division between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  One of the main characteristics of a religious denomination is division from other Believers.  Religion uses laws and doctrines to be separate from other Believers.  It is not a reflection of the scriptures we just read.  It is very difficult and quite rare for them to have a Kingdom mentality because of this.  Keep in mind, Kingdom citizens honor and serve King Jesus.  Kingdom citizens are led by the Holy Spirit--our Governor.  They worship the Lord God in spirit and in truth. Worship should not feed our emotions but our spirit.  Worship honors the Lord.   But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship Him that way.  For God is Spirit, so those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.” 

Having a Kingdom mentality requires reading, studying and meditating on His Word as a lifestyle.  As in a marriage, truly knowing someone is what creates oneness.

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

John 3:1-3   Psalm 119:70-73   Proverbs 3:5-6   Matthew 6:33
John 17:20-26   John 4:23-24
All NLT unless noted otherwise

​~~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 this world, there are many believers wearing the badge of Christian, fighting for their "rights" in this present world.  Let me make this perfectly clear: the Lord Jesus never instructed His disciples, or those who followed Him, to fight for their rights here on earth.  He also never instructed us to fight the devil at any time.  Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. NKJV

Notice the first thing ambassador James told them:  "Submit to God".  Often when this verse is quoted, they leave off that part.  That is key, that is why it is mentioned first!  If you want to grow in the Kingdom, you must first learn how to listen and follow His instructions.  The Lord Jesus never told us to fight the world system or even the devil.  He simply said, But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. NKJV  By doing so, we will be following His command and everything that we could ever need will be provided to us.  That is what His Word says and He cannot lie!

Obeying and submitting to the King's command should be our top priority.  This will show in our behavior.  If we humble ourselves to the Governor--Holy Spirit--He will fully operate in our lifestyle.   Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.  It is not enough to believe there is a God. You must put your trust and belief in His Word.   You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.  

Submitting to the Lord God's Word takes faith and trust in Him.  So what are you waiting for?  You, being a citizen of the Kingdom, must embrace His Word to the fullest.  As you read, it is not enough to just believe there is a God, demons know that and they fear the King and Lord!

​In order for this to take place in your life while you are in this world, your mind must be changed.  A process that will take some time.  In some cases, it will take longer than others.  Ambassador Paul put it this way:  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.  

Once you have been born again in the Spirit, you begin a new life.  You have a whole new nature.  You have to learn a whole new set of laws and principles.  King Jesus made this statement:  Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. 

Remember, the Lord Jesus wasn't a religious leader but a King representing His Kingdom which was not part of this world!    Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”  He also confirmed that He was a King and that was why He was born.  Pilate said, “So you are a king?”

Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”  

Having said that, when you are born again, you must learn the laws and principles of the Kingdom government in order to please the King.  It is the same concept as moving to a new country and having to learn that country's laws and customs.   Ambassador Paul once again made it quite clear here:  Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them.

Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive His approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.  The more you study His Word, the more you will know how to submit to His Will for your life.  That is why it is so important for you to be filled with the Holy Spirit in your life and listen for His leading.  The Holy Spirit--our Governor--is the one who sealed you for the day of Christ's return.  Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  NKJV  By the way, that seal is the means of Him knowing those who are His.  But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.”

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

James 4:7   Matthew 6:33   John 4:10; 2:19   John 3:6; 18:36-37
2 Timothy 2:14-15   Ephesians 4:29-30   2 Timothy 2:19
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