The most powerful element you have in your life is your faith. In order for your faith to be effective, it must have an object. That object must be secure and eternal. So I ask, who or what is the object of your faith? In the Kingdom, your faith and obedience operate in the Kingdom. Without it, you are dead in the water like a ship without a sail. Ambassador Paul made this statement while speaking to the believers in Colosse: Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
As a Kingdom citizen, the Lord Jesus is the object of your faith! Faith in anything else will let you down. Your faith in Him is your rock solid foundation. You must have your faith in King Jesus. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. He is your foundation for life and eternity. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
Read what the Lord Jesus prayed to His Father concerning Himself: Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “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. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. Please notice that He had faith in His Father's commands: "I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do." The Lord Jesus was obedient until the end of His mission. Now, what does that say for those of us who claim to be believers, and yet fail to follow His command to preach and teach the Kingdom message? Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece.
“Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”
So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.
This command applies to you and I as well. How else will this world system embrace His Kingdom message? Your message should always be about the King and His Kingdom; not about prosperity, healing, favor, wealth, blessings and a better life. Why? Because the Kingdom has all of these things in it. The problem is that many want those things without obeying His Word and seeking the Kingdom. They are seeking the elements of the Kingdom without embracing the Kingdom of God. Its all about your focus. Their faith is in the leaders, their preachers, apostles, prophets and bishops. That is a weak, temporary faith which WILL crumble in times of crisis or disappointment. Only one foundation will stand with you no matter what happens and that is the Lord Jesus the King!
Far too many churches today are becoming entertainment centers, with far too many consumers and performers. Allow me to be so bold to say "It's not about you! It's not about them! It's about Him!" In that environment, they forget who they are supposed to be representing. The preacher or speaker takes center stage as the ringmaster of this great circus. It becomes all about the speaker, not much different from a Hollywood movie. You buy their sermons and books. You can quote what they say far more than what God's Constitution says. If your faith is in them, you are in trouble and you are in a position to be easily deceived and led away from God's Truth. How does this compare to John's words here? He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.
When ambassador Paul wrote to his young brother Timothy the second time, it was his final words of instruction and encouragement to Timothy and the citizens of Ephesus. These same things are taking place here in the United States and around the world today. But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. This is so true. Some are so involved in their self-importance that they fail to recognize the purpose and mission to which they were called. As the ambassador Paul said, ...having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! The followers read all kinds of materials, related to religious subjects, but very little of God's Word ...always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. The wisdom and knowledge I have came from the Governor (the Holy Spirit) and God's Word. That alone is our foundation.
Keep in mind, King Jesus made this statement while speaking to His disciples. 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. When you are a Kingdom citizen in right standing, you fear no man or what he could do to you. That is perfect peace that comes from your faith in the King. You don't allow anything to sweat you because your allegiance is to the King (Jesus).
I know there are other citizens of the Kingdom who believe as John did; that they must decrease and He must increase. There are pastors and ministers who preach the Kingdom and don't entertain or want a following. They aren't prideful or seeking attention, fame and money. To those we say thank you, stay strong and know your foundation of faith is unshakable. Know we lift you up in prayer. We pray for the Holy Spirit to direct you and for everything that is purposed for your life to be fulfilled before you breathe your last breath. Keep seeking the Kingdom!
Hebrews 12:1-2 John 3:16; 17:3, 1-5 Luke 9:1-6 John 3:30-31
2 Timothy 3:1-7 John 14:26-27
~~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
As a Kingdom citizen, the Lord Jesus is the object of your faith! Faith in anything else will let you down. Your faith in Him is your rock solid foundation. You must have your faith in King Jesus. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. He is your foundation for life and eternity. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
Read what the Lord Jesus prayed to His Father concerning Himself: Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “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. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. Please notice that He had faith in His Father's commands: "I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do." The Lord Jesus was obedient until the end of His mission. Now, what does that say for those of us who claim to be believers, and yet fail to follow His command to preach and teach the Kingdom message? Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece.
“Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”
So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.
This command applies to you and I as well. How else will this world system embrace His Kingdom message? Your message should always be about the King and His Kingdom; not about prosperity, healing, favor, wealth, blessings and a better life. Why? Because the Kingdom has all of these things in it. The problem is that many want those things without obeying His Word and seeking the Kingdom. They are seeking the elements of the Kingdom without embracing the Kingdom of God. Its all about your focus. Their faith is in the leaders, their preachers, apostles, prophets and bishops. That is a weak, temporary faith which WILL crumble in times of crisis or disappointment. Only one foundation will stand with you no matter what happens and that is the Lord Jesus the King!
Far too many churches today are becoming entertainment centers, with far too many consumers and performers. Allow me to be so bold to say "It's not about you! It's not about them! It's about Him!" In that environment, they forget who they are supposed to be representing. The preacher or speaker takes center stage as the ringmaster of this great circus. It becomes all about the speaker, not much different from a Hollywood movie. You buy their sermons and books. You can quote what they say far more than what God's Constitution says. If your faith is in them, you are in trouble and you are in a position to be easily deceived and led away from God's Truth. How does this compare to John's words here? He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.
When ambassador Paul wrote to his young brother Timothy the second time, it was his final words of instruction and encouragement to Timothy and the citizens of Ephesus. These same things are taking place here in the United States and around the world today. But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. This is so true. Some are so involved in their self-importance that they fail to recognize the purpose and mission to which they were called. As the ambassador Paul said, ...having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! The followers read all kinds of materials, related to religious subjects, but very little of God's Word ...always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. The wisdom and knowledge I have came from the Governor (the Holy Spirit) and God's Word. That alone is our foundation.
Keep in mind, King Jesus made this statement while speaking to His disciples. 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. When you are a Kingdom citizen in right standing, you fear no man or what he could do to you. That is perfect peace that comes from your faith in the King. You don't allow anything to sweat you because your allegiance is to the King (Jesus).
I know there are other citizens of the Kingdom who believe as John did; that they must decrease and He must increase. There are pastors and ministers who preach the Kingdom and don't entertain or want a following. They aren't prideful or seeking attention, fame and money. To those we say thank you, stay strong and know your foundation of faith is unshakable. Know we lift you up in prayer. We pray for the Holy Spirit to direct you and for everything that is purposed for your life to be fulfilled before you breathe your last breath. Keep seeking the Kingdom!
Hebrews 12:1-2 John 3:16; 17:3, 1-5 Luke 9:1-6 John 3:30-31
2 Timothy 3:1-7 John 14:26-27
~~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
