Neither Servants nor Soldiers But Sons and Daughters

 Neither Servants nor Soldiers But Sons and Daughters

It is so important to know your position in the Kingdom. How you see yourself in the Lord God’s Kingdom will affect how you live your life. That image creates a mental “posture” which will determine your attitude, behavior and even how you approach your Heavenly Father.
 
Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
 
And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Galatians 4:1-7
 
Remember, the King of Heaven wants sons and daughters, not servants.  For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26 NLT Religion produces servants.  It revels in the spirit of servitude.  Sons and daughters of the King see service as a privilege; religious people see it as an obligation.

Jesus came that we might "receive the full rights of sons".  This is a legal term or language.  It refers to legal rights and entitlements based on relationship of birth. We are sons and daughters of God.  Sonship is our right by creation.  Christ did not die to improve us; He died to regain and confirm us in His Kingdom.  The price He paid was not to make us worthy but to prove our worth. He came to restore the Father's sons and daughters to their rightful position: rulership as heirs of His Kingdom.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Romans 8: 14-17
 
As His children and heirs, we have His authority through the power of the Holy Spirit.

“Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.“ Matthew 18:18-19
 
Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.  Luke 10:19
 
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:12-14
 
It is absolutely vital to know your position in God’s Kingdom. Yes, we have authority as His children. We speak with the Father’s authority but He did not call us to fight the battle. The Lord God’s angels are His heavenly army! For He will command His angels in regard to you, to protect and defend and guard you in all your ways [of obedience and service]. They will lift you up in their hands, so that you do not [even] strike your foot against a stone. Psalm 91:11-12 AMP
 
The Lord has made the heavens His throne; from there He rules over everything. Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out His plans, listening for each of His commands. Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels who serve Him and do His will! Praise the Lord, everything He has created, everything in all His Kingdom. Psalm 103:19-22 NLT
 
Jesus said, “Don’t you realize that I could ask My Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and He would send them instantly?” Matthew 26:53 NLT
 
We pray and make our requests known. We pray in accordance with His Will. He sends His army to fight the battle. In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; He saved me from all my troubles. For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear Him. Psalm 34:6-7 NLT
 
Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. Daniel 10:12-13
 
Remember, if we are heirs and are destined to rule in our Father's Kingdom, then we had better learn to understand His Kingdom and how it operates.  We must learn how to think, talk, and live like Kingdom citizens.  The Kingdom is the most important message of our age and the answer to the dilemmas of ancient and modern man.

According to Jesus the Christ, everyone is trying all they can to find it and forcing their way through life to lay hold of it! The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the Kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. Luke 16:16 The problem is that the Kingdom has been buried under mountains of religiosity. Sort it out. Know the difference between what the Kingdom of God looks like and what religious doctrines and traditions look like.
 
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32

​All scriptures are NKJV unless noted
​
W.R. Luchie  & D. Arlene Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org

Even Money Has Purpose in the Kingdom

 Even Money Has Purpose in the Kingdom

Where purpose is not known, abuse is inevitable~~Dr. Munroe.  I believe that most of us have heard that quote in Kingdom teaching. We think of it in terms of our purpose and assignment. But in God's Kingdom everything has a purpose and is used by the Lord God to fulfill His Will; and that includes money--His financial provision. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is Yours, O Lord, and this is Your Kingdom. We adore You as the one who is over all things. Wealth and honor come from You alone, for You rule over everything. Power and might are in Your hand, and at Your discretion people are made great and given strength.

O our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name! But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to You? Everything we have has come from You, and we give You only what You first gave us! 1 Chronicles 29:11-14 NLT

Have you ever received money unexpectedly? Money that was above and beyond your paycheck. Sometimes they call that a windfall--​a piece of unexpected good fortune, typically one that involves receiving a large amount of money. Yes! Have you ever received a windfall? Or, found that your bank account balance was higher than you thought? I have learned and can testify as a Kingdom citizen, that when that happens God has a specific purpose for it. And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 AMP And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT God is not random and He does not do things randomly.

There is always a purpose. His unexpected financial provision has a purpose. The Lord has made everything for His own purposes... Proverbs 16:4a NLT

When God's Kingdom and His righteousness are your first priority, you are a Kingdom citizen and He knows your needs before you do. He promised that if we would seek His Kingdom and His righteousness, He would supply all that we need. 

“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

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

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today." Matthew 6:24-34 NLT

Our focus is never to be on what we need or what we feel we lack, but only on God's Kingdom and His righteousness. When we are His citizens, He always provides. We need to understand the purpose of the money He sends. If we do not properly discern its purpose, it will be abused and misused!

I can testify to this, as it has happened in my life several times over the years. Recently I was handed a few thousand dollars unexpectedly from a source I would never have expected. I would definitely call it a "windfall". Our human nature will begin to think of things we can do with this "extra money"--something we've been wanting to buy or maybe a little vacation. But I have been through this type of situation enough times to know that if my Father sent it in such a miraculous way, there is a specific purpose. About a month later, I was presented with an unexpected expense that had to be paid right away. It was for almost exactly what I had been handed the month before. God is so good...so loving and kind! He knows our needs even before they appear and makes a way where there was no way! Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 NKJV

When we don't know God's purpose for the finances--or other provisions--He gives us, we will abuse it. We will use it for our wants. Then when that surprise bill shows up, or there is a medical emergency or the job is taken away, we find ourselves in lack and must scramble to make ends meet in our own strength. In that situation, we find ourselves wishing we had held on to it! We may even wonder where God is in this crisis. God already provided but we didn't see the purpose at the time and misused it!

When you seek after money--how to get more and what you can buy with it--you will not see God's purpose for money. 

Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the Kingdom of God!” And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.” Mark 10:23-25 NKJV

When I was younger, I was happy for the "windfall", I did not see its purpose, happily spent it, and later regretted it. But in the past twenty years, I am thankful that I have grown to recognize the purpose of the money and provisions that the Lord God sends. I know that something is coming on the horizon and He has already prepared the way. As God's Kingdom citizens, we aren't called to strive and struggle. We are called only to seek after His Kingdom and His righteousness. Our focus is to be more like Him. When we do that, it will become easier to see God's purpose for all the money and provisions He sends to us. 

Yes, in God's Kingdom, money has a God ordained purpose in our life. Know it and walk in His victory. I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous (those in right standing with God) abandoned or his descendants pleading for bread. Psalm 37:25 AMP

Money is a tool, just like a hammer, knife or saw. Each of these items has a purpose, when used in the right hands. Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven. Proverbs 23:4-5 ESV 

The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense. The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and He adds no sorrow with it. Proverbs 10:21-22 NLT

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6 ESV

Deborah Luchie
​
www.kingdomcitizens.org

The Holy Spirit Knows the Purpose and Will of God

 The Holy Spirit Knows the Purpose and Will of God

The Bible is about a King, His Kingdom, and His royal family. The Bible itself is a royal document, revealing the purpose, desire and decree of the King, as well as the activities, history, and future destiny of His children and heirs. The Bible also describes the King’s expansion program, His plan to expand His heavenly realm into His earthly territory. This is why the Lord God made this statement:  Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:28 Considering all these things, the Bible is actually the constitution of His government.
 
As we read in chapter one of Genesis, the Lord God brought His heavenly realm into this earthly territory by establishing an outpost which contained His garden called Eden. Then He created Adam and Eve as caretakers and administrators to rule the earthly realm as He ruled in Heaven. The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; But the earth He has given to the children of men. Psalm 115:16 You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet. Psalm 8:6 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.” Genesis 1:26
 
Keep in mind; God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden as its stewards and caretakers. I call them king and queen of the earthly domain. They were gardeners but they weren’t master gardeners. The master gardener was the Holy Spirit who, unlike them, had been present and instrumentally involved in the creation. 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. Genesis 1:1-2  The Spirit of God was present and the primary agent in the physical realm, including the Garden of Eden. Ambassador John stated:  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. John 1:1-4 NLT
 
To receive the Holy Spirit—who is our Governor in God’s Kingdom—we first must be filled with, and cleansed by, His Word. The Lord Jesus made it quite clear: You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. John 15:3
 
The Holy Spirit enacts the will of the Lord God in our lives. Enacts: to establish by legal and authoritative act, specifically, to make into law. To enact a bill. This is why it is vital to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Without Him, there is no Kingdom governmental authority operating within us. Going any other way is merely trying to accomplish His Will in your own strength. We know that ultimately that will not work out well!
 
To receive the Holy Spirit—our Governor—you must first love and be saturated with His Word, because it is His Word that will cleanse you. “If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever—the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you.” John 14:15-17  Note that He said His Father would give you another Counselor or Helper. The primary goal of the Governor—Holy Spirit—is to execute and enact the Will of the King, meaning the Lord God. He also stated that He would be with you forever.
 
A king’s word to his citizens is his constitution. His word is law and as such is infallible and sacred. It isn’t open for debate, discussion or reversal. Remember, in a kingdom the king imposes his personal will on His citizens and it becomes law. Once again, the role of the Holy Spirit—or Governor—is to implement the King’s laws in all of the King’s territory that is under His jurisdiction. We are the Holy Spirit’s territory because He lives in us. It is a must that the Holy Spirit resides in every citizen of God’s Kingdom.
 
The Governor never speaks on His own accord, but only speaks what He has received from the Lord God—the Father and Creator of all mankind. The Holy Spirit is perfectly suited to be the Governor of the “colony” on earth because He knows perfectly the heart and mind of the King. And He knows God's Will and purpose for our life.
 
Keep in mind that this intimacy of the Holy Spirit enables Him to conform the hearts and minds of Kingdom citizens to the mind of the King. By living in every citizen, the Holy Spirit allows the government and culture of heaven to reside in us.  And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Romans 8:26-29 NLT
 
Remember, your faith is your greatest asset in the Kingdom.

All NKJV except where noted

W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org

The Clash of Cultures

 The Clash of Cultures

Human governments rise and fall all of the time, but the Kingdom of God stands forever.
 
Remember King Jesus’ response when a religious group called Pharisees asked Him when the Kingdom of God would come:  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 Yes! The Kingdom of God is within you. It's governor is the Holy Spirit.
 
For those who say that God is Lord of lords, you are saying that He owns everything by right of Him being the Creator. Those who call Him King of kings, you are acknowledging that His government and authority are above all others. As ambassador John wrote, And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:  KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Revelation 19:16
 
When you embrace the Kingdom concept and you are filled with His Spirit, you have a whole new culture. This Kingdom culture, in most cases, will cause you separation with your family. Jesus made that quite clear. Among the religious individuals, there will be division because they will refuse to accept the Kingdom concept and message. “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
 
The religious refuse to accept the Kingdom message even though that was all He spoke of. Keep in mind, culture is stronger than politics. In order for you to change your culture into a Kingdom culture, there must be a transformation of the way you think. Ambassador Paul put it this way:  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. 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 12:1-2 That is an ongoing process.
 
Understand this, when you are born again with a new spirit, you will take on a new culture and a new way of living. Your old culture—meaning the way you used to live—meaning anything that is contrary to the King’s Word (cheating, lying, stealing, fornication--having sex without being married, gossiping, etc) That is what ambassador Paul was speaking of. Always remember that the Governor—Holy Spirit—gives you power to make the Kingdom choice. We are to make that choice over our old culture. Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God.  Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. Ephesians 5:1-7
 
I can say that I am a living example of a new culture—meaning the way I behave and live. I can also say that it has been a process, not an overnight miracle! We as Kingdom citizens should always be aware of our behavior and evaluate ourselves. Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. 2 Corinthians 13:5
 
Historically, religion has been the primary driving force behind the vast majority of our conflict in the world. Religion isn’t a peaceful prospect. Religious conflict isn’t restricted to Islam or Hinduism or any other ‘non-Western” religion. Christianity carries its own heavy burden of responsibility for religiously motivated conflict. Do you remember the Crusades of the Middle Ages with Christians and Muslims? Also, there were centuries of hostilities and persecution between Catholics and the Protestants. These are extreme examples of culture clashes in religion.
 
Denominations within the church are like little kingdoms of their own, with their own laws and traditions, jockeying for positions and power; fighting among themselves for their will to be done. In essence, they cause division and chaos among the saints. Jesus said, “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the Kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.” Matthew 23:13
 
Keep in mind, the secret to expanding Heaven’s culture on earth is to change people’s minds, to cultivate them like a garden, carefully seeding their minds with thoughts, beliefs, ideals, values and convictions of Heaven. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 1 Corinthians 3:6-7  Remember ambassador Paul’s statement to the church at Ephesus:  Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from Him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. Ephesians 4:21-24 NLT
 
You cannot continue to live in, and be comfortable with, your old culture and also be in God’s Kingdom.
 
Remember, your greatest asset is your faith in His Word.
 
All scriptures are NKJV except where noted

W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org

The Return of the King in His Kingdom

 The Return of the King in His Kingdom

​One of the greatest problems many Kingdom citizens face is that we try to reproduce the new Kingdom culture without a renewed mind. Our minds have already been tainted and corrupted by the world’s culture. We have been in the world and the world has been in us, controlling our thoughts, emotions and beliefs. When the Lord Jesus came to earth to restore His Father’s Kingdom, the first thing He had to do was clean house. He and His cousin John made this statement:  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  From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17
 
Before He could send His Spirit to dwell in us individually, He had to wash away all manner of sin in us. His death on the cross was the “cleanup program”. This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:5-7
 
The Lord Jesus came to remove and free us from sin in order to prepare the “house” of our bodies for the return of the royal Governor—Holy Spirit—so that Heaven’s culture, meaning our original culture, could return. King Jesus made it quite clear that restoring the Kingdom and reinstating its culture on earth had nothing to do with a building or religion when He said:  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
 
Remember, before the Kingdom can be within us, we must be thoroughly cleansed from the inside out so that the Holy Spirit can inhabit a holy temple. Keep in mind, I am not speaking of religion, but of the return of the original legitimate government, the Kingdom of the Living God.
 
The culture of the Lord God must come back to this earth. He has called and commissioned us to make a difference in this world; not to be religious or attend religious services. We are to be filled with His presence—meaning with His Spirit. Do you recall what the Lord Jesus stated to His disciples before He went back to be with His Father?  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
 
By the way, John “the Baptist”, earthly cousin of the Lord Jesus, was given that name by religious organizations because he baptized followers. The Lord Jesus didn’t call him John the Baptist. I always state, “If people name you, they will define you”. Religious groups named him and it defined him. When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, it means you have the Kingdom of the Lord God living within you. This is what happened on the day of Pentecost when they were all of one mindset. The Kingdom of the Lord God had arrived. 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
 
Also, the Lord Jesus never preached about Himself. He always preached and taught concerning the Kingdom and honored His Father. King Jesus made it very clear why He had come to earth. He said to them, “I must preach the Kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.” And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee. Luke 4:43-44
 
Always remember that the “Bible” is all about 1) a King, 2) a Kingdom and country, and 3) a royal family. In order for you to be a citizen of a country you must be born in it. The Lord Jesus confirmed this when He spoke 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.”
Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
 
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. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:3-8
 
We have all been born of flesh, into this world. We must be born again, into the Lord God’s Kingdom.
 
Remember, your faith in the King’s Word is your most valuable asset in the Kingdom.

All scriptures are NKJV unless noted
​
W.R. Luchie 
www.kingdomcitizens.org

Kingdom 102: Staying Focused on His Word in Time of Conflict

 Kingdom 102:  Staying Focused on His Word in Time of Conflict

Staying focused on His Word will result in positive chain reactions in your life. It gives you the power and authority of a citizen of God's Kingdom. It empowers you to withstand conflicts and trials far beyond what you think you could handle.

Take notice of Daniel in the Lord's service. Remember, Daniel didn't have the Governor living inside of him.  What he did possess was obedience to God's Word handed down through Moses.  “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.  You shall have no other gods before Me.  You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments." Exodus 20:2-6  Daniel was obedient and focused on the Lord God's commands and principles, to the point that he continued praying three times a day, regardless of King Darius' decree.  By the way, King Darius put it in writing.  Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.  Daniel 6:10

Conflicts, troubles or decrees from this world's leaders does not change the Lord God's Word.

Regardless of conflict--knowing that King Darius' decree could not be changed--Daniel knew his priority and stood on the Lord God's command.  Now, if Daniel was able to stand against that challenge  with God's Word but without the Holy Spirit in him, how much more should those who have the Governor (Holy Spirit) living within them stand strong!

Stay focused on obeying His Word and He will give us the Gift of the Holy Spirit to live effectively in this present world. Ambassador Peter made this same stand when faced with a conflict at his trial.  Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.  And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”

But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.  The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.  Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.  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 5:26-32

When you start putting the Lord Jesus first in your life at all times, He will put you as a priority.  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."  John 14:23-24 

There are so many distractions around the world.  It is vital to stay in His written Word.  Without that word down in our spirit, we are do easily distracted and deceived.  Wrong becomes right, black and white becomes gray.  We need to put first things first:  But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:33-34 If we do this, He will provide for all our needs.  By the way, again, when you embrace the Kingdom and learn to trust in Him more, you will become bold in the time of conflict and trials.  

Kingdom citizens don't fight their own battles or go to war; but they stand on the foundation of God's Word, which is Jesus the Christ.  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  Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; for the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’ Deuteronomy 20:3b-4

Remember the faith of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego.  By the way, their names were changed to these Babylonian names.  But when the time came to stand on God's Word, listen to what was said to the king. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”  Daniel 3:16-18

I suggest you read the whole story here:   Daniel chapter 3

When you are filled with God's Word, you intimately know Him and His Nature.  That gives you the strength to withstand any conflict without fear or worry! 

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with My victorious right hand. See, all your angry enemies lie there, confused and humiliated. Anyone who opposes you will die and come to nothing. You will look in vain for those who tried to conquer you. Those who attack you will come to nothing. 

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 41:10-13 NLT

Keep in mind, your greatest asset and foundation is your faith in God's written Word--the Lord Jesus the Christ.

All scriptures are NKJV unless noted
​
W.R. Luchie 
www.kingdomcitizens.org

The Most Powerful Person Lives in You

 The Most Powerful Person Lives in You ​

“And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as My Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.” Luke 24:49 NLT

Living within every Kingdom Citizen and Believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is the most powerful person on this earth, yet most of us do not realize it. That is because many people just don’t know who they are in Christ.
 
Before I go any further, I must say that the Holy Spirit is present on earth in the absence of King Jesus, who ascended back to Heaven and sits at the right hand of His Father. But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’  But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. John 16:5-7  And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. Hebrews 10:11-12 King David also repeated this statement. The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” Psalm 110:1 The Lord Jesus is in Heaven, seated at the right of His Father. His work on this earth is finished. But He promised not to leave us alone.  I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. John 14:18-20
 
Keep in mind; the Spirit who was to come would be exactly like the Lord Jesus, except He would actually be present in all believers rather than just with them, as the Lord Jesus was. This perfectly describes the Holy Spirit’s role as Governor of God’s Kingdom and His position as Teacher, Guide and Master Gardener. He is to nurture and bring fully to life the gardens of truth in the lives of believers and Kingdom citizens.
 
The Governor of the Kingdom mediates the presence of the King. So, wherever the Governor is present, the King is present and so is His Kingdom. That literally means that since the Governor (Holy Spirit) resides in our hearts as Kingdom citizens, we take the King and His Kingdom wherever we go. When we allow the Governor to lead us, we will make a difference every single time, wherever we go. 
 
Many of us are quick to say “I know that I have the Holy Spirit”, but far less are truly conscious of the magnitude of person and power in our lives. Too many do not know Him, do not listen to Him and, depending on our cultural background, have even been taught not to expect much from Him. On the other hand, through church experiences, some only see the Holy Spirit as someone who “shows up and shows out” in church occasionally.

You may ask "How does the Holy Spirit fill me? How will I know He is within me?" He keeps it simple. The answer is found in God's Constitution. Remember what the Lord Jesus stated to His Disciples: “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:15-17 
 
Our Governor will be with us forever. Seeing the Holy Spirit as our Kingdom Governor who governs God’s Kingdom within us, helps to envision the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. If you want to grow as Kingdom citizens and to reach your fullest potential in fulfilling your mission to plant Kingdom gardens throughout the world, you must take time to get to know the Master Gardener. You must learn to listen to Him and obey. I am the true grapevine, and My Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of Mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 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. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:1-5 NLT
 
The Holy Spirit is our link between Heaven and Earth and in Him we are connected to both worlds. The Holy Spirit is the bridge between the supernatural and the natural realms. Keep in mind that the Lord Jesus moved between the natural and supernatural with no problem at all and so does the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own but will tell you what He has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring Me glory by telling you whatever He receives from Me. All that belongs to the Father is Mine; this is why I said, “The Spirit will tell you whatever He receives from Me.”. John 16:13-15 NLT
 
Because the Holy Spirit dwells within us, He enables us to transcend the boundary between the two so that our prayers, praise and worship can rise to Heaven and the Lord God’s presence, power and privilege will flow down to us. In this way we may reproduce the character and culture of God’s Kingdom into this world.
 
Remember, the Holy Spirit—our Governor—is our passport; it is through Him that we have all access into God’s Kingdom. I hope now you may see how vital it is to have the Holy Spirit—our Kingdom Governor—living in you. This is why the Lord Jesus gave His believers this command:  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… But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:4-5, 8 The Holy Spirit is what they needed to fulfill the assignment that they were given.
 
Pray, be silent and listen to what the Holy Spirit tells you and allow Him to lead you. As a citizen of God's Kingdom, effective time in prayer is neither a gripe session nor giving God your to-do list of wants and needs. It is a time of communication between the Father in Heaven and His citizen on earth. Without a two way conversation, all you have is a monologue, not a dialogue. We communicate through the Holy Spirit, our Governor.
 
Remember, your greatest asset is your faith in the Lord Jesus.

All scriptures are NKJV unless noted
​
W.R. Luchie 
www.kingdomcitizens.org

Making an Impact in This World

 

Making an Impact in This World   The Lord God’s ultimate Will from the very beginning was the fusion of heaven and earth; with earth as a colony of heaven, under the King’s leadership. Take a moment and read Genesis 1 & 2. These two realms were brought together in the Lord Jesus and thrust into the visible reality through His government. In Jesus, the Son of the Lord God, the law of the Lord God is revealed.   Religions are focused on getting to heaven, which was never the Lord God’s plan. His plan is for us as Kingdom citizens to make an impact on this world, so others will also be drawn to Him. So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” John 20:21 We are to continue His assignment until His return. By the way, as I see it, we have a long way to go yet. Through the years, many Christians accept Jesus Christ to keep from going to eternal damnation or just get to heaven. That focus will prevent them from fulfilling God’s purpose for being here. King Jesus didn’t come from heaven for that. He wants for you to make an impact for His Kingdom government in this world! You may feel your impact is small, but you aren't seeing the "big" picture, which may only be seen in the spiritual--unseen--realm! Think of rings in the water when you throw a stone. The first ring is small and surrounds the stone. But the largest rings are furthest away from the stone--the original source of the impact.    Keep in mind that we in the United States only see the word “ministry” in connection with a religion or religious endeavor. I must say that I thought the same. But the Holy Spirit opened my eyes and reminded me, through the United Kingdom’s example, that the word “ministry” and “minister” are actually governmental words. The United Kingdom’s government is a constitutional monarchy and has twenty-four ministries with a minister governing each department. Their top governing leader isn’t a president but a prime minister. I am always thankful for the guidance and correction of the Holy Spirit to see things more clearly!  The Kingdom of God is a government. Once you are born of the Spirit of the Lord God, you become child of the Lord God, joint heir with Jesus and a citizen of His Kingdom! What an honor and privilege! With that honor comes great responsibility. That responsibility is to make an impact on this world for God's Kingdom! You don't have to speak at sold out conferences or have a book deal for your impact to be exponential for His Kingdom! The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Romans 8:16-17   For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. Philippians 3:20-21    For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Corinthians 6:20 As you sacrifice your body through fasting and prayer, you draw His presence, power and protection in your daily life. King Jesus spoke that unbelief hinders prayer (prayer and fasting will strengthen your faith) and some demonic forces only come out by prayer and fasting. (Be aware that there are versions of the Bible that leave out verse 21, which is of great concern to us!)  “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.”   Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.   Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17:15-21   First, begin to make an impact around your present environment. Home would be a great beginning. When my wife, Arlene, comes to an impasse in her life and needs someone to pray, she comes to me as her first choice. That is what a wife who has confidence in her husband’s faith in His King does. Every citizen should have an impact on their family in such a way and more.   In the Kingdom, a citizen’s lifestyle should inspire others to seek God’s Kingdom also. They should want what they see in your life by His Kingdom. That is part of the impact you should have on others. If they see your life as no different from the world, if they don’t see peace, strength and faith operating in your life, why would they seek after your Lord and King? Remember, our citizenship is in heaven and the King saved us to represent Him until He returns. That alone makes you an ambassador of the Kingdom. As an ambassador you are appointed by the King, not voted into position. You are appointed to represent the government of the Kingdom of Heaven. You are only committed to the King and the Kingdom’s  best interests. You are totally covered by His Kingdom. Your responsibility is to the Kingdom and your King. You speak the Words of your King, not your own opinions. You are totally protected by your government. You should never concern yourself about harm coming to you. There is only one thing to be concerned about . . .                  How is your life representing your King and His Kingdom?   Ambassador Paul was a great example of making an impact wherever he went . . . even to prison. Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”   The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”   They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” Acts 16:25-31 NLT I want to be like ambassador Paul!   Keep this in mind, total faith in your King will truly have an impact on those around you. When the world is fearful, angry or depressed, you are at peace. When the world is bowing to the current culture, you raise the Lord God's eternal standards and represent them in your daily life. Allow yourself to be led by our Governor—the Holy Spirit. Also remember that in God’s Kingdom you never have to concern yourself with material things. Once you have your King’s assignment, you have access to the Kingdom’s wealth. Not for self gratification, but to fulfill His purpose for your life. Money is a tool to be used for His Glory and His Will to be done on earth. When the King gives you an assignment, you will never have to beg or ask others for support. We are not to seek after money but only after His Kingdom. If your response to this is to say "Money is always a struggle. There is never enough to pay my ministry's bills and meet my needs!" seek your King about His purpose for your life. You may be doing what you believe you should be doing, but it may not be what He has for you to do! Sometimes that is hard to face. Something is out of order and the Holy Spirit will show you so listen. My wife Arlene and I are examples of that and can testify that He supplies every need! We were given this assignment and we will continue to make an impact until He says it’s enough.   People need a standard to follow. They need to see someone living their life productively, with bold faith, in God’s Kingdom. They need Kingdom examples. Be that standard and example to this lost world.   “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16   Remember, your greatest asset is your faith in His Word. ​All scriptures are NKJV unless noted ​ W.R. Luchie  D. Arlene Luchie www.kingdomcitizens.org

Life With the Holy Spirit--My Testimony

 Life With the Holy Spirit--My Testimony

 

Writing this has been on my spirit for weeks, so I will prayerfully obey, though I've never liked talking about myself much. It is only transparency and obedience, not self-indulgence that has brought me here. I do believe that hearing what someone else's life has been like, living with the Holy Spirit, will bring greater wisdom,  understanding and clarity.

I have been filled with the Holy Spirit for sixty years now! No, I'm not eighty years old, but was filled with His Spirit when I was only seven years old. I know that is not the norm, but it is true for me. Being a "preacher's kid" (PK) I had spent a large part of those seven years in church at least three times a week. Not in a nursery or children's church, but sitting in the pew and participating. 

That Sunday when I was seven, we were all standing and worshipping during the "song service" as they used to call it. I remember that day so clearly! My hands were raised high, eyes closed, singing with tears streaming down my face. Then I began speaking in tongues. I felt the Lord's presence stronger than I ever had in my young life. I have continued speaking in tongues since that day. I tell you this in detail because no one laid hands on me or prayed for me and I wasn't at the altar. I don't think anyone even noticed what was happening to me. I don't even remember talking to my parents about it. It just felt like a very personal thing, even at that young age. I wasn't seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit. I was purely and innocently, as a child, worshipping God. About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus called a little child to Him and put the child among them. Then He said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven." Matthew 18:1-4

Looking back at my life I understand why I needed His Spirit guiding me from such a young age. There were many things in my childhood that should have "bent" me and I would not be who I am today and probably not able to fulfill His purpose for my life. If I told them all, this would be far too long! But the Holy Spirit was always leading me in the way I should go, warning me, either with words or feelings, especially during those difficult early teen years. (Also, I looked much older than I actually was, being 5'6" when I was only 12!) When I was 14 there was a 19 year old man and when I was 15 there was a 25 year old man, each pursued me, spending a great deal of time with me. I admit I loved the attention they gave me, attention I didn't get from my very busy father. Both times, as soon as they tried to turn it into more than friendship, the Holy Spirit rose up in me and turned my feelings completely against them, like turning off a light switch. Each time I immediately told them I didn't want to see them anymore and I wouldn't take their phone calls. No explanation and no giving in. The Lord protected me when my parents weren't focused on me enough to see they needed to step in. They both liked these men. In fact, when the 19 year old went to prison (non violent crime) my father encouraged me to write him. So, I was 14 years old, receiving censored mail from an inmate in the state pen! Different times! The Holy Spirit was guiding me though I didn't always realize it!

My life with the Holy Spirit has ebbed and flowed. There have been hills and valleys. Not because the Holy Spirit left, but because I "turned off the connection". As an adult, there were two times where I turned away, seeking to only do what I wanted to do. In those years, I never heard from Him, probably because I wasn't listening. The first time it was a major crisis that brought me to repentance and a rekindling of my relationship with God through the Holy Spirit. The second time, it was seeing the direction my life was going. It was spiraling down in a way I did not want to go. 

But God is SO very good to us and hears us when we repent and seek His forgiveness. I repented, asked for His mercy and grace to cover me. Then I asked Him to remove everyone from my life that should not be there. IMMEDIATELY, my phone stopped ringing, the texts and IMs stopped coming. There was no denying that God wiped my slate clean! So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin. If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:6-9 

Each time I repented and came back to the Lord, there was a profound acceleration of hearing the Holy Spirit. More dreams, more discernment, more words of knowledge. It was as though I was being "brought up to speed" so to speak! 

Life with the Holy Spirit is ever increasing wisdom and understanding. It is like being in a school that never ends because there is always more to learn. It is also ever increasing intimacy and closeness. There is a "knowing" that grows and becomes more confident and constant. Also, the Holy Spirit speaks with God's Word, and the more scriptures I knew, the more clearly I heard from Him. He reminds me of the Word I need for every situation.  “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. . .But when the Father sends the Advocate as My representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you." John 14:15-17, 26

I will end this with these points:

• He is the Holy Spirit, our Kingdom Governor. He is NOT the Holy Ghost. A "ghost" by man's definition is described as a dead person manifesting itself to the living. The Holy Spirit was never a living human and to call Him a ghost misrepresents Him and separates Him from the Trinity of God the Father, His Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit in your eyes. 
• Know God's Word. Get it down in your spirit and the Holy Spirit will speak through it. 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 
• Don't focus on speaking in tongues. It will come. We are only to seek God's Kingdom and His righteousness. Jesus promised us that the Father would send the Holy Spirit. All He asked of us was to obey His commandments: “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. His promises will not return void. He cannot lie. So shall My Word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 NKJV  God is not a man, so He does not lie. He is not human, so He does not change His mind. Has He ever spoken and failed to act? Has He ever promised and not carried it through? Numbers 23:19 
• Lastly, listen. Be attentive to learn His voice and His leading. Then act on it. The more you do, the more confident you will become in knowing when you are being led by the Holy Spirit. The more you are led by the Holy Spirit and not your carnal nature, the more it will become second nature to you. But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to Him at all.) And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, He will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. Romans 8:9-14

Pray for your children and grandchildren. You are not all seeing and all knowing, but you know the One who is! I am a witness and can testify to that.

Be a Kingdom light shining in the darkness,

Deborah Luchie
​
www.kingdomcitizens.org
All scriptures are NLT unless otherwise noted.

Kingdom Transparency

 Kingdom Transparency

​Recently, I read this statement by a recovered addict: "When you're transparent about everything, it knocks the devil's feet right out from under." In other words, don’t give the devil a foothold, or place, in your life. 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. Ephesians 4:25-27 NLJV
 
Being a citizen in right standing in God’s Kingdom requires that we do not give the devil a place in our life through secret sins and ungodly deeds. It requires that we are transparent in all we do.  But we naturally try to put on a good front to "save face". Sadly, "saving face" is more predominant in religion than transparency. Religion is far more concerned with how our outside looks rather than the condition of our heart and soul. This creates a religious façade that conflicts with what is controlling our soul (mind, will and emotions). But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”  1 Samuel 16:7  

This façade will, in time, hinder our ability to hear from the Lord God by the Holy Spirit—our Kingdom Governor. Jesus told them “Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear Me!  For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.  So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe Me! Which of you can truthfully accuse Me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe Me? Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.” John 8:43-47
 
This lack of transparency, in an attempt to protect our reputation, damages our ability to influence the world in which we live. Gallup’s 2023 survey on honesty and ethics by occupation puts clergy at an all time low of 32%. Just 32% of those surveyed thought clergy were honest and ethical. You cannot lead those around you to Jesus if they don’t see you as being honest and trustworthy. Consider this:  The world is starving to see someone with an incorruptible spirit and immovable standards. They want to see someone who cannot be moved. They WANT to believe that person still exists, so they seek to tear down believers to test and see if we actually live what we preach! Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. Colossians 4:5-6
 
Believers must be transparent to knock the demonic realm "off its feet". They used to say "tell the truth, shame the devil". That lack of transparency and truthfulness goes all the way to many pulpits. If the pastor and their leadership aren't truthful and transparent, the members won't be either. When they see transparency modeled by their leaders, they will feel safer to be transparent. They will follow their lead!
 
I can testify to the damage done by living a religious façade. Growing up in a pastor’s family, I can tell you we weren't transparent. Being transparent could cost Dad his job so our family motto was "what goes on in this house stays in this house". That lack of transparency cost us our family, our church and it shattered relationships and reputations. Also the sad thing to me, was that the people shaming us and gossiping about us were doing worse things and keeping their sins hidden by shining a spotlight on us. That's why I became a truth-speaker. The devil ALWAYS uses the hidden things to bring down believers. For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all. Luke 8:17 We only deceive ourselves, because the Lord God sees all. 
 
I've always said that all the devil wants to do is to make you believe a lie. Jesus told us who the devil is:  “He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44b

What lie is he telling you?

"No one will ever know"
"Trying it won't hurt anything"
"I can stop anytime"
"He doesn't love his wife, he's staying for his kids”
"What they don't know won't hurt them"
"A little innocent flirting is harmless"
 
Little lies protect pet sins….those sins we don’t actually want to give up. The hard truth is that they mean more then our relationship with King Jesus and His Kingdom! Ouch!
 
The lack of transparency and openness about our lives is a breeding ground for hidden sins, which are open doors, allowing the demonic to wreak havoc in our lives. Face what is keeping your spiritual doors open and shut them. Repent, clean your spiritual house of all that does not line up with God’s Kingdom laws and principles and pray for His mercy and grace to cover you.
 
This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in Him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin. If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.. 1 John 1:5-9
 
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the one to whom we are accountable. So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:13-16
 
If you aren’t being transparent with people, is what you are hiding unrighteous in the Lord God’s eyes? Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33
 

God's Word says "You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free" but do we really believe it? If we do, we will never tell a lie or live a lie. We will never tell “half truths” (which are lies) or even lie by omission. We will be truth-speakers and become averse to anything but the truth.
 
What you may not see is that your transparency may also set others free…free to be truthful and set free from the lies and hidden sins that chain them. My prayer is that they will see Jesus working in our lives and want Him in their life. Show those around you what life in God’s Kingdom looks like!
 
You are an ambassador of the Kingdom of God everywhere you go. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17
 
Now may the God of peace—who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with His blood—may He equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him. All glory to Him forever and ever! Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21

Deborah Luchie
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www.kingdomcitizens.org
All scriptures are NLT unless otherwise noted.