As I stated in my last message, the Lord will share His Glory with no man.  His Kingdom is everlasting.  King David put it this way:  Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations. In essence, those who have embraced His Kingdom will live forever.  We have already seen how Jesus likened the Kingdom of Heaven to yeast.  Let's imagine for a moment that we have a large mixing bowl containing lumps of dough made from different kinds of flour: white, wheat, oat, rice, nut, etc.  Let's imagine further that each of these lumps represent a "kingdom" of the world, whether a nation, a religion, etc.  Now suppose that we mix yeast in with all those different  lumps of dough. What do you think will happen?  Do you think that the yeast will discriminate between the different kinds of flour?  Remember, each kind of flour is different, but the yeast doesn't care.  It ignores those distinctions, it proceeds with its fermentation process and transforms the entire batch of dough. Jesus the King mad this statement concerning the Kingdom:  Another parable He spoke to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.”

Once again I remind you that God's Kingdom is not here to coexist with the kingdoms of this world, but to supplant and transform them to His likeness.  Yeast doesn't believe in coexistence.  It permeates and agitates and will not stop until it has transformed its environment into something completely new.  the Kingdom of Heaven cannot simply and tidily be given a place sharing the stage with all the religions, philosophies and faith systems of the world.  It will grow and expand and overwhelm and transform until it alone is left.  All who are Kingdom Citizens face the dilemma  and challenge of how to live successfully and simultaneously in two worlds that are in inevitable conflict.

One critical key to our successful navigation within these two worlds is to get it thoroughly into our heads that the Kingdom of Heaven is not a kingdom of coexistence but of transformation; and that it is the Kingdom, not the world, that will ultimately prevail.

This understanding can assist us in developing the habit of thinking with a Kingdom mindset and making Kingdom decisions in every area of our life.

Psalm 145:13   Matthew 13:33
~~W.R. Luchie

We must always keep in mind, the Lord of heaven and earth will share His glory with no man.  I am the Lord, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images.  God made this statement through His representative Isaiah.  He also made this stern statement through the same representative.  For My own sake, for My own sake, I will do it; for how should My name be profaned?  And I will not give My glory to another.  By the way, God's Word does not change for anyone.

One of the first attitude adjustments we must make is to get rid of our religious mindset (thinking).  As I have mentioned several times, kingdom living has nothing to do with religion.  For one thing, religious thinking believes in coexistence.  It makes room for everybody; every sect, every denomination, every belief system, every philosophy, those with high values and those with no values at all, those who believe in many gods, one god, or no god.  It reminds me of a meal called jambalaya.

Coexistence says, "Lets all try to get along.  After all, there are many roads to the truth and one road is just as valid as the next."  Coexistence makes room for Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Christian Science, Scientology, Unitarianism, Baha'i, Hare Krishna, witchcraft, atheism and all the rest.  Coexistence regards accommodation as the highest value.

I stand in great company when I say, there is no such thing as coexistence in the Kingdom of heaven.  The Kingdom did not come to earth to coexist.  It came to take over and reform.  In the Kingdom, there is only one vision, one will, one standard, one law, one belief system, one value system, one culture:  the King's.  The existence of any other constitutes rebellion.  If the King's Word is law and absolute, how can there be multitudes of little "kingdoms" within the Kingdom?  There can't be.  Since there is only one King and only one Kingdom, to coexist is impossible.

Now that I have given you the truth concerning the kingdom, what or how are you going to respond to it?  King Jesus made this statement:  "...and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."

Isaiah 42:8   Isaiah 48:11   John 8:32
~~W.R. Luchie

Yes, we reside in two different worlds.  Kingdom Citizens are individuals with their feet in two different worlds.  One foot is planted squarely in the Kingdom community, where daily life is ordered by the righteous principles, standards and culture of the Lord God Almighty; while the other stands securely in the society and culture of the carnal world.  At heart, the two worlds are incompatible because they operate according to principles and philosophies that are dramatically opposed to each other.  Yet we reside in both worlds simultaneously.  This is the challenge of residing in the Kingdom.  In order to do so successfully, we have to understand the principles of Kingdom extension and influence and how they work in conjunction with the present culture in which we now live.  The question is:  How do we live in two worlds on one planet called earth?  More importantly, how do we claim one world--the popular culture--and bring it under Kingdom government?

Dr. Munroe stated it correctly when he said, "Attitude is the key, and attitude determines strategy".  That is a statement of truth.  to begin, we must have the proper attitude with regard to the kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of the world.  We must first embrace the Kingdom mindset.  The first is eternal, while the second is temporal.  In other words, though the Kingdom of Heaven will last forever, the Kingdom of this world will someday pass away to be replaced by a new Kingdom on a new Earth.  Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.  A king's scepter is the symbol of his power, authority and favor.  Whoever has the scepter acts in the king's authority, and the one whom the king holds out his scepter receives the king's favor.  So, the scepter represents the character of the king and his rule.  The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.  All means everything there is.  There is nothing and no one anywhere over whom god does not rule.  King David also stated:  Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.  From eternity past to eternity future, God's Kingdom endures.  If justice is the character of God's Kingdom, and the universe is its scope, then eternity is its duration.

We have a reason to rejoice!

Psalm 45:6   Psalm 103:19   Psalm 145:13
~~W.R. Luchie

Allow me to continue with other reactions to false authority we may have:

G.  Defensiveness:  They are easily offended and try to protect themselves from criticism.

H.  Resentment:  They develop a bitter spirit toward those whom they perceive as "management" or "executives".

I.  Protest:  They object to suggestions, thinking "nobody's going to tell me what to do!", so they immediately dispute any attempt to influence their lives.

J.  Avoidance:  Because of their negative experiences with authority, they avoid exercising initiative or taking supervisory roles themselves.

K.  Threat:  They feel in danger from, and vulnerable to, those who have power.

L.  Stress/Anxiety/Worry/Dread:  They experience distress when interacting with authority figures.

This is a terrible way to live!  This is why it is so important to seek the Kingdom, and I am not speaking of a religion with kingdom principles.  The Lord God wants you to trust in Him.  Remember, God has given Jesus His Son authority.  ...“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth."  Those are the words of King Jesus.

As a result of the misuse and abuse of authority, this world, especially the present generation, has an underlying current of distrust, disrespect and fear of authority.  Just look at Ferguson, Missouri.  Others have come to believe that suppression and oppression are natural components of authority or at least ones that are to be accepted, tolerated or endured.  These long established concepts of of authority and the behavior that results from them are the fundamental cause of many of the problems we face in the world today.  They are essentially destroying the people of this planet.  It goes back to the beginning of man's disobedience in the Garden.  It is preventing them from becoming all that they were born to be.  Even though we can understand and sympathize with the above reactions, they are not healthy and they will do nothing toward assisting us to exercise our own inherent personal authority.

Remember, trust in the Lord with all your heart.

Matthew 28:18   Psalm 37:3-5
~~W.R. Luchie

There are people who react in different ways to neglect, misuse or abuse of authority; but our negative conceptions and experiences with authority produce life-draining emotions and attitudes.  Take a minute to think about specific negative experiences in your life in which you dealt with individuals in alleged authority or found yourself in circumstances that seemed to control you.  Now consider how you reacted to them as you read through the following list of reactions people may have to false authority:

A.  Fear:  They are afraid of being ruled and controlled.

B.  Intimidation:  They are unsettled by those who claim to have authority over them and may go along with their orders or suggestions only because they feel they have no choice.

C.  Distrust/ Caution:  They keep themselves at arm's length from others because they don't want to be taken advantage of or have their lives run by someone else.

D.  Suspicion:  They are distrustful of those who want to be in charge, and so they steer clear of them.

E.  Friction:  Their relationship with those who are "in charge" is tense; they have difficulty finding common ground on which to connect with supervisors, teachers, parents and colleagues.

F.  Antagonism/ Contentiousness/ Defiance:  They are disagreeable and belligerent in their interactions with others.

Before I go any further, in the "misuse and abuse", I want to share with you some words of encouragement from God's Constitution on the situation.  Here is what the Word has to say for those who live by God's Word.

"When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes his enemies to be at peace with him."

Fear and faith can't occupy the same space at the same time.  Just like fire can't occupy the same space at the same time.  The only one that you should fear is the Lord of the heavens and the earth.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Proverbs 16:7   Proverbs 1:7
~~W.R. Luchie

When I speak of Jesus, I am not speaking of a religion.  Jesus didn't come to represent or to give us a religion.  He came to restore what we lost--a kingdom.  In the conversation that Pilate had with the Jews, he was not concerned with Jesus' religious state; but their statement of Him being a king put him on notice.  From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.” Jesus was king, and He represented the ultimate authority.  A religion deals with membership.  A kingdom entails citizenship.  If you obey the king's words, then you are a citizen in good standing.

As I have previously shared with you what authority is and it's operation; allow me to share what it isn't.  These false ideas are what many people think of when they hear this word because authority has been defined or modeled for them in distorted ways through their oppressive, negative, stifling or even deadly experiences.

Understand what authority isn't--dominating others, overpowering others, dictating to others, oppressing others, mastering others, forcing people to do what you want them to do, controlling others, restricting others, tyrannizing others, and subjecting others to do your will.  To summarize it, we often perceive authority as any person, party or position that dominates, controls or manipulates other people or situations, usually to that perceived authority's advantage.  I don't know about you, but I hate for someone to try to dominate, manipulate or control me!

Those who exhibit false authority not only hurt everyone around them but also stifle the true authority that is within them and that they could be offering to others.  They are not operating in their proper authority  and domain, but in a false domain of abuse. 

When you are authorized, those around you will know that you speak with authority.  They recognized it in Jesus immediately.   And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Remember, when you are obedient and obey God's Word, you will receive power from above in the form of the Holy Spirit; but not if you are disobedient.

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

John 19:12   Matthew 7:28-29   Acts 1:8
~~W.R. Luchie

We have all known people who are loud and always  want to be seen with those who are famous or in the limelight.  There are times when people automatically attribute authority to someone who speaks the loudest or appears "larger than life".  This aspect of false authority has to do with a person's personality.  They  may come across as strong, opinionated, overbearing, charismatic, articulate and persuasive, threatening or obnoxious. Even though a person or even a group speaks the loudest or the most forcefully, doesn't necessarily mean they have legitimate authority over others.  There are many people who are intimidated by such people and therefore succumb to them.  They allow them to make decisions and to cause everyone connected with them to move in a certain direction, which may or may not be healthy.

I recall what God's Constitution has to say about such individuals:  May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things, who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail; our lips are our own; Who is lord over us?”

Now in contrast, true authority is often quiet or even silent.  It takes a greater natural authority to lower your volume and still be effective.  Often, the greater the true authority that is present, the quieter the atmosphere.  "You know you have effective authority when you say nothing or you are very quiet, and people respond positively to you and your influence".  By the way, that is a quote by Dr. Munroe.

Jesus had inherent authority.  Once, when the religious leaders of His day tried to trap Him, they brought to Him a woman who had been caught in adultery to see if He would agree that she should be stoned to death, which was the punishment according to the law.  Then, He quietly asked them one question, which decisively defeated them; and they went away.  Now that's authority.

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."

Remember, being loud doesn't mean you are in the right and have the authorized authority.

Psalm 12:3-4   John 8:6-11
~~W.R. Luchie

The very nature of a dictator and tyrant cancels out genuine authority.  Any perceived submission that is a result of force or threat is not real submission but surrender.  Whenever there is true authority, there will be true submission; which is a voluntary act and part of the inherently interdependent nature of authority.  Remember, surrender is in stark contrast to this and is always a result of manipulation and fear.

I have stated several times, when individuals are fearful of another person, they are afraid to do what they actually desire to do because that person has "authority", they are functioning under a dictatorship.  That isn't authority; it is intimidation.  There is a lot of that going on, especially in the church, which is supposed to be a safe haven, and an example to the world.  True authority allows people to express themselves and to develop to the full extent of their potential.  It does not restrict but provides instruction, advice or counsel to build others up.  the opposite of a tyrant is someone who seeks the good of others, not for their own gain.  They even make personal sacrifices on their behalf.  That is a sure sign of love on a kingdom level.    Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Now take an evaluation of yourself from these scriptures from God's Constitution and see how you measure up.

Some individuals think that because an individual has a title, authority automatically accompanies it.  We tend to respect and honor individuals who have titles that seem to elevate them.  In this way, we confuse labels with legitimacy. It does not necessarily follow that a person with a title is exercising authority.  

Here is an example:  An individual may connive, manipulate a system, or even kill to obtain a certain title or role.  This individual's role is unauthorized.  Only genuine authority makes rule or power legal.  Remember, a true leader may have a title, but he does not operate from that title.  They operate from their inner authority, and people respond to his natural authority rather than their label.

Your actions and behavior will characterize who you really are.

I Corinthians 13:4-7
~~W.R. Luchie

Some people think that an individual who wields absolute power is in a place of authority.  The very nature of a dictator cancels authority.  That is because true authority does not demand unconditional rule over others.  It pays for you to keep this in mind, a dictatorship incorporates the domination approach to a great extent.  It does not allow freedom of expression or permit people to explore ideas and fully partake of opportunities for personal and professional growth.  In essence, they are denied the ability to be human beings, as God intended us to be.  Many people confuse dictatorship with authority if they have lived under an oppressive system for a period of time so that it has become familiar, even though repressive.

A dictator and a tyrant are similar, in that instead of exhibiting true authority, they are authoritarian.  The meaning of authoritarian is believing in, relating to, or characterized by unquestioning obedience to authority, as that of a dictator, rather than individual freedom of judgment and action.  Someone with an authoritarian approach demands unquestioned obedience from others.  The tyrant spirit is one of ultimate corrupt power that wants you to submit without thought or question.  A tyrant is not only a usurper of power, but he also especially wields power for his own personal gain and security.  Now by the word "usurper", I mean to take or assume (power, a position, property, rights) and hold in possession by force or without right.  If you desire to know where King Jesus received His authority, read what He stated to the religious people around Him.  For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.

You should never force someone to follow Christ.  Jesus never ordered or forced people to follow Him.  He gave them an invitation, and they saw a need within themselves, that they  hungered for.  The ruler Nicodemus, had this hunger: Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

In other words, if you aren't filled with the Spirit of God, you can't even see the Kingdom.  Seek the Kingdom, and you shall be filled with His Promise.

John 5:26-27   John 3:3
~~W.R. Luchie

Now let me refresh your thoughts. While the "boss spirit" mainly refers to manipulation, and the "in charge spirit" refers to usurpation, domination concept has to do with control.  Many people confuse authority with domination.  I just want to mention that if you aren't being controlled by the Holy Spirit, you are being influenced by some other spirit.  There are those wh operate entirely through control.  Some of these people are so insecure that the only way they feel they can hide their vulnerability and have others respect is (ironically) to be heavy-handed.  This all comes about through a fallen world.

King Herod possessed a "boss spirit" while trying to manipulate the wise men to tell him where Jesus was to be born. Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”

Now in order to maintain a state of control, those who operate according to this approach, threaten others or use some of the negative techniques that I mentioned above.  They may exhibit a "boss spirit" and use force, as well as refuse to delegate because they don't trust anyone else.  They centralize all activity with themselves and become the hub of all power and decisions, micromanaging the activities of their organization, family, church or nation. Individuals who equate domination with authority may grow to mistrust parameters others try to put on them or their actions.  My question to you is this: Do you know anyone who has this "boss spirit"?  Of course you do!

Genuine authority doesn't control but releases individuals to exercise their own authority.  A true leader feels no need to dominate others but immediately shares his authority and encourages others to develop their own abilities.

Matthew 2:7-8
~~W.R. Luchie

There are many individuals who don't have the authority to represent the kingdom culture, simply because they don't have authorization.  They don't have the Spirit of God.  Any attempt to be in charge without authorization cancels authority.  Many who have made attempts to represent God and His Son, Jesus, without the Holy Spirit have fallen in disgrace.  Remember what Jesus the King instructed His disciples to do.  He told them to wait for the Promise of the Helper:  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.”

The Holy Spirit is your authorization of your authority to represent Him as an ambassador of the Kingdom of God.  An individual can legitimately be "in charge", but he has to earn his position and be authorized for it through legal election, proper succession, a group's consensus, etc.  There is an account in God's Constitution of a young shepherd by the name of David, who received authorization from God to succeed King Saul as the next King of Israel.  A representative of God (prophet Samuel) was sent to inform him of his appointment and to anoint him for his rule.  However, even with this divine sanction behind him, David did not take the throne until it was time for him to do so.  He did not kill the current ruler, King Saul.  As long as Saul was still alive, he did not usurp the throne, even though Saul sought to take his life.  Through all of that, David made this statement:  Look, this day your eyes have seen that the Lord delivered you today into my hand in the cave, and someone urged me to kill you. But my eye spared you, and I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’

The authorization of your leadership comes through the power of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is only given to those who obey His Word.  That is the Promise.  Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

Keep in mind, being baptized in water only means that you are following the teaching of that leader.  But being baptized with the Holy Spirit is having the Kingdom culture abiding in your mortal body. By the way, they are not the same thing.  You will receive the Promise through obeying His Word.  It's that Spirit that will cause you to be caught up at his appearing.

Acts 1:4-5   I Samuel 24:10   Luke 24:49
~~W.R. Luchie

This type of spirit is not of the Kingdom culture.  An individual with the mindset of the Kingdom culture reflects the mindset of integrity, honesty and sound judgment.  Remember, if an individual has a “boss-like spirit” it is not of God.  Such a perspective is unnatural and antithetical (the exact opposite) to true authority.  When someone in a leadership position embraces that false idea of authority, they engage in actions that intimidate, discriminate, exploit, oppress, suppress and abuse people.  I shall say, many people have either treated others according to the boss spirit, or have experienced the receiving end of it to a greater or lesser extent.  I must say that I have.

Now the opposite of the boss spirit is to use authority for the good of all concerned and to seek others cooperation and contributions rather than trying to maneuver them.  I have seen many individuals in the south with this boss spirit and in the most unlikely places—the church.  These are individuals who aren’t filled with the Holy Spirit, but have a religious spirit.  Again this isn’t the Kingdom culture.

Remember what the fruit of the kingdom is:  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control.  Against such there is no law”.

Many people think that because someone rules over them or is “in charge” that individual automatically has authority.  Since authority needs legitimacy and authorization, those who usurp the role of leadership actually have no genuine authority, even though they are in a position where they rule.  I really dislike the phrase “my boss”.  It connotes a slave mindset.  God did not create Eve so that Adam should be her “boss”, but to assist him.  “And the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him”.

While the individual with the “boss spirit” mainly refers to manipulation; “in charge” refers to usurpation, the domination concept that has to do with control. Many individuals confuse authority with domination.  They need to be educated in God’s Constitution.  Once again I make this assertion that the Bible is not a religious book.  Testament is a legal word.  Stay focused on that. Jesus only had one message:  The Kingdom of Heaven has come.

Galatians 5:22-23   Genesis 2:18   Matthew 4:17, 23
~~W.R. Luchie

As I continue on with this subject, always keep this thought in mind:  the key to success is not power alone but knowing and using authorized power.  The individual who is acting with true authority empowers and protects people. True authority converts power into service.  That is why the greatest protection against misdirected power is genuine authority. When people operate in an authorized way, they will use power to serve constructive ends.  We must also recognize that authority without power is ineffective; it is essentially permission to do something without the ability to carry it out.  Authority is responsibility, but power is ability.  My question to you:  Have you ever appealed to your supervisor or "boss" whom you worked for on a job, who had no ability to take action or make needed changes or corrections?  You cannot give authority without also empowering the recipient to act, or that authority is useless.  An individual should delegate authority only if he has the capability to back it up.  Jesus the Christ our King had this authority.

King Jesus made this profound statement concerning His authority:  For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.  Jesus made this statement as well before He healed the paralytic man:  “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”  And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!”  But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”


Now concerning the individual who has a "boss spirit"; The concept of the "boss spirit" is related to power, but its main attribute is the abuse of position through manipulation.  The word 'manipulate' is defined as "to control or play upon by artful, unfair or insidious means".  The boss spirit is the idea that having authority means you can take advantage of people, to order them around at will, and get them to do what you want through coercion.  I have learned through God's Constitution, that God created Adam to manage and supervise His work, not manage people.  You must take an evaluation of yourself every day.  By the way, I hate the "boss spirit" because it is not of God.


John 5:26-27   Matthew 9:2-6
~~W.R. Luchie

I have learned that many individuals who have come into contact with power that is oppressive and even abusive, develop a fear of authority; because in their minds they have transferred that experience to authority itself.  Let me give you an example:  if a child is physically abused by a parent, they may try to protect themselves from further abuse by rejecting any adult whom they see as an authority figure.  Again, if a wife is repeatedly emotionally abused by her husband, she can become suspicious of others who make suggestions or offer direction, equating their motives with the same king of control.  This is one reason why it is very important to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  I did when seeking for a helpmate, and I struck it rich when I met and married my wife Arlene.  You never know what experience others have gone through before you met them.

Now on a social or national level, history is unfortunately strewn with examples of unauthorized power.  One of the most obvious examples is Adolf Hitler, who seized control of Germany through intimidation and overpowering force and then turned his weapons of abuse on much of Europe.  Keep in mind, slave owners used power to the point of “owning” other human beings and overwhelming them by physical force.  Even to this very day, many African Americans have a slave mindset, especially in the southern parts of the United States.

Always remember that power was never meant to exist for or by itself but as a tool for good.  Power has to be protected and regulated and genuine authority does this.  I want you to take a  minute to think about this.  Jesus gave His disciples power over all unclean spirits.  How could He do that?  Because it was given to Him by His Father God.  And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.  Now concerning His authority; Jesus made this statement while He was praying to the Father... “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

Remember this, power is merely energy and ability, but authority is permission and right to use the power. Power without authority is energy without authorization, it is illegal force.

Matthew 10:1   John 17:1-3
~~W.R. Luchie

Now I would like to speak to you in the next few days concerning authority.  I trust that you will embrace it.  What I have learned is these false but commonly accepted concepts of authority have permeated the nations and cultures of the world.  Now we first need to explore what true authority is not so that we can become free of our misconceptions and clearly understand what true authority is.

Let us concern ourselves with an individual who wields power.  One of the false conceptions of authority that has led to its misuse and abuse is that power is synonymous with authority.  Many individuals have come to see authority as a greater strength that is able to subdue others.  That thinking just isn't true.  Power is the capacity to move something by force or energy, whether it is an object, an idea or a person.  It is the ability to cause, activate, initiate, transform or impact.  Power can be exercised through position, knowledge, strength, force, integrity, influence, personality or threats.  Power isn't the same as authority, by no means.  The difference is that true authority is always sanctioned or authorized, whereas power can be illegitimate, or unauthorized.  Power that is used to harm people in some way is clearly unauthorized; it has then become a weapon.  They are bullies of all ages who choose to use power in this way.  I had some of them in my elementary school while growing up.  But I soon learned that there was strength in the masses.  So I started a gang of all those individuals who were bullied.  Then we had the power.

Jesus made this statement:  ...All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Jesus made this assertion doing His great commission. Although King Jesus was given this authority by His Father, He has yet to exercise all of it.   Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 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, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

In due season, Christ the King will come, but meanwhile, we must stay in our purpose.  And for those of you who don't know your purpose or aren't sure of your purpose, Seek the Kingdom, for the kingdom is within you.

Matthew 28:18   Philippians 2:9-11    Matthew 6:33   Luke 17:21
~~W.R. Luchie

Once again I state, if an individual wants to change their belief system, they must first change the way they think about themselves.  In most cases, it entails changing their environment.  I am convinced that one of our greatest weaknesses as leaders today is that our philosophical training about who we are as human beings, including our inherent purpose as leaders, has been severely deficient.  Our environment and other influences have produced defects in our thinking due to some flawed philosophies that have been perpetuated by our culture, which we have accepted and embraced.  If we are to change, we must first go back to the Lord God's "Last Will and Testament" for earthly living.  You call it the Bible.  It is His last Will and Testament to all mankind.

If we want to become leaders of character who make a positive difference in this world, we need to take a serious look at what ideas we have received, how those ideas have shaped our philosophy of life, as well as what beliefs and attitudes we need to change.  Paul, ambassador and representative of the Kingdom, put it this way:  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.  Here is an example:  If a leader has accepted the concept "It is everyone for himself in this world", he will always put himself before other people.  The result is that he may neglect, mistreat, or even abuse his followers.  Remember, true leaders always place the highest value on the dignity of all humankind.  This reflects the character of the Lord God.  Personally, I believe that if you don't respect other people, you should not be in leadership.  I see that all the time among church leadership.  This world already has too many problems to take on another leader who disregards the intrinsic value of human beings.  What I am seeing is that there are religious leaders who claim to know Jesus, but in reality, they don't know who He really is.  Remember what God's Constitution states:  A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.

According to the Lord God's promises, soon the chickens will come home to roost. I am paraphrasing.  My last words to you are this: A leader's public policies reflect how he views, interacts with, and affects the lives of other people as he carries out his leadership.

Romans 12:2   Proverbs 12:2
~~W.R. Luchie