Peace in the Midst of Crisis

 

Peace in the Midst of Crisis   Be encouraged, for your peace comes through your faith in Him, not in the circumstances surrounding you.  Put your faith totally in God's Word.  Do you recall what our King and Lord, Jesus, said to His disciples?   I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as My representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.  I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:25-27   When you have the Governor--Holy Spirit--living in you, you will have perfect peace in times of crisis.  Why?  Because you know that you have a King and a Kingdom and you are a citizen in right standing.  He promises never to leave us alone.  This is why the Holy Spirit is vital.  He is the most important person on earth.  Our peace comes from the Holy Spirit. You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!  Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.  Isaiah 26:3-4   And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it isn’t looking for Him and doesn’t recognize Him. But you know Him, because He lives with you now and later will be in you.  No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.  John 14:16-18  When the Holy Spirit--our Governor--resides in your mortal body, He cultivates faith in your lifestyle.  Remember that faith and fear cannot operate in your body and mind at the same time; just as fire and water can't operate at the same place at the same time.  Water will overtake the fire. When you are reborn of His Spirit, you are a new person.  From that point on you must learn of Him through the Holy Spirit.  Then Jesus said, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30  This is another reason it is so important to be filled with the Holy Spirit.  He will guide and teach you, but you first must seek to keep His Word.  “If you love Me, obey My commandments.  And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.  He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it isn’t looking for Him and doesn’t recognize Him. But you know Him, because He lives with you now and later will be in you."  John 14:15-17   Loving God means keeping His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome.  1 John 5:3   Those who have peace, the God kind of peace, are those who put their trust and faith completely in His Word.  If God says it, it will come to pass.  His Word is Truth.  If you truly are born by His Spirit and following His instruction, you conduct yourself in a Kingdom lifestyle.  In most cases, it becomes a natural part of your behavior and you don't have to think about it.  For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. 1 John 5:4  It is our faith in the Lord Jesus that causes us to overcome this world, not our faith in our church, pastor, minister or even in ourselves.  And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. And Jesus Christ was revealed as God’s Son by His baptism in water and by shedding His blood on the cross—not by water only, but by water and blood. And the Spirit, who is truth, confirms it with His testimony.  So we have these three witnesses—the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and all three agree.  Since we believe human testimony, surely we can believe the greater testimony that comes from God. And God has testified about His Son.  All who believe in the Son of God know in their hearts that this testimony is true. Those who don’t believe this are actually calling God a liar because they don’t believe what God has testified about His Son. And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.  1 John 5:5-12  Remember, the Lord Jesus was the Word manifested in the flesh. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.  John 1:14 NKJV   ​In this world, with social media and so many distractions, it is easy to lose focus. That is why it is vital to stay in God's constitution every day.  If you want to know the Lord God's direction for your life, make His Word your lifestyle.  Remember this, the Lord God will not force you to live for Him.  It is a choice that you must make.  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. John 3:16 NKJV  You also must choose between faith and fear.  He gave you the power of choice.  Keep this in mind, it is the devil who causes fear and chaos, so stay focused on His Word.  When you are distracted, your strength weakens. Remember, your faith is your greatest asset in the Kingdom of God. ​All NLT except where noted ​W.R. Luchie www.kingdomcitizens.org

Don't Bleed on the Sheep

Don't Bleed on the Sheep ​Dear Fellow Believers, Recently I heard this statement, one I had never heard before. "Don't bleed on the sheep."  While this letter is written to all Believers, I am speaking specifically to the shepherd more than the sheep!   Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.  Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. James 3:1-2 NLT So what does "bleeding on the sheep" mean?  It is when a pastor/teacher preaches out of their pain, issues and the sin they may be battling in their minds.  Instead of teaching them the Word of God and growing strong mature disciples, they are pouring their pain and emotional issues all over their sheep.  They are "bleeding all over them". When I heard that phrase, it reminded me of what the Holy Spirit had been telling me for weeks:  Times are growing short.  It is time for pastors, teachers, preachers and all to teach the Word of God, to get more focused on teaching and preaching the Gospel only!  We also must not manipulate the sheep for our own purposes or feed OFF the sheep.  We are charged with feeding the sheep, caring for them, protecting them from evil and leading them in the way they should go. Pastor, your sheep don't need a life coach, a relationship coach, a self-improvement teacher.  Your sheep need to get the Word of God in them and learn how to hear the Holy Spirit speak and guide them.  They need to see a strong, unshakable man or woman of God, raising a standard before them, who is saying "Follow me! This is the way we should go!"   The world is having a stronger influence on your sheep than you and your church are.  They are becoming comfortable with the sins of the world, to the point of not even believing those things are sin.  That is because God's Word is not etched in their soul.   I have hidden Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11 NLT   Going to most churches today is akin to going to a gym to get strong and fit, but only hanging out in the smoothie bar and then saying "I don't understand why I'm not seeing any change in my body! I go to the gym every day!"  Pastors, ministers of the Gospel, are your sheep strong and courageous when they face the world?  Do they have unshakable standards and walk in the power of God's Word everywhere they go? Do they have unshakable faith and trust in God? Are they fully equipped to handle the sin and deception that is epidemic in the world?  If not, you aren't fulfilling your calling!  If you have battles of your own, get a mentor, a prayer partner; someone you may confide in and seek counsel and prayer. Your pulpit is not your therapy session.  Your sheep aren't there to minister to you.  You are there to minister to them.  We don't need any more shows.  We don't need therapy sessions.  We need sheep who are strong as lions because they are full of the Word of God.  If the world took their Bibles and their internet away, they would be quoting scripture to those who don't know the Word.  Feed your sheep for they are starved for the Word!    A third time Jesus asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep".  John 21:17  NLT If that isn't what you want to do, go become a coach, a motivational speaker, write books or become an entertainer.  But don't do it under the cover of being a pastor to spiritual leader of any sort. They don't need another "ear tickler". There is no more time to play. It is time to get serious, man and woman of God.  God has given you an assignment.  Feed His sheep.  Recess is over.  School is in session!  This is your assignment:   I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word [as an official messenger]; be ready when the time is right and even when it is not [keep your sense of urgency, whether the opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable, whether convenient or inconvenient, whether welcome or unwelcome]; correct [those who err in doctrine or behavior], warn [those who sin], exhort and encourage [those who are growing toward spiritual maturity], with inexhaustible patience and [faithful] teaching. For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction [that challenges them with God’s truth]; but wanting to have their ears tickled [with something pleasing], they will accumulate for themselves [many] teachers [one after another, chosen] to satisfy their own desires and to support the errors they hold, and will turn their ears away from the truth and will wander off into myths and man-made fictions [and will accept the unacceptable].  But as for you, be clear-headed in every situation [stay calm and cool and steady], endure every hardship [without flinching], do the work of an evangelist, fulfill [the duties of] your ministry.  2 Timothy 4:1-5 AMP Read that aloud, as an oath to the God you serve, then fulfill it! Be ready, Deborah DeborahLuchie.org

Kingdom 104: His Name is All Authority and Power

 Kingdom 104:  His Name is All Authority and Power

The name of Jesus the Christ contains all power and authority.  That is the name the Lord God gave His Son while He was here on earth.  Those of us who have embraced the King, should always embrace His name.  He knows those who are His own.  “My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you.  All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory.  Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold."  Even though the Lord Jesus was speaking to the Father on behalf of His disciples, it also applies to those who are citizens of the Kingdom up to this present day.  He included us as well:  “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one.  I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.  Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”

The Lord Jesus and King was very clear that He has all authority.  It was given to Him by His Father in heaven and earth.  Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. All those who call on the name of God, you aren't following His command.  The Lord Jesus sits at His "Father's right hand, interceding on our behalf"!  In Jesus, His Son, God has given all of His authority and power.  Why then, do religious leaders encourage people to call on the Lord God, His Father?  I keep returning to the statement that the Lord God made to His representative Hosea.  My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.  Because you have rejected knowledge,  I also will reject you from being priest for Me; because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.  NKJV

When you honor the Lord Jesus, you honor the Father.  In addition, the Father judges no one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge,  so that everyone will honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son is certainly not honoring the Father who sent him.  Did you catch that first part of that constitutional scripture?  In addition, the Father judges no one. Instead, He has given the Son absolute authority to judge...  We will all have to answer to Him for our final destination.  Keep in mind, the Lord God has life without Himself and has given His Son that same authority and power.   “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.

And I assure you that the time is coming, indeed it’s here now, when the dead will hear my voice—the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen will live.  The Father has life in himself, and He has granted that same life-giving power to His Son.  And He has given Him authority to judge everyone because He is the Son of Man."  I live and operate by the power of the Lord Jesus the Christ.  There is power in that name and that is the only name I call upon.

Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor
    and gave Him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

Remember, your faith should be grounded in Him, and nothing else.

John 17:9-12, 20-26   Matthew 28:18   Hosea 4:6   John 5:22-23, 24-27   Philippians 2:9-11
All NLT except where noted.

~~W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org

Kingdom 103: The Indwelling of His Spirit (the Governor)

 Kingdom 103:  The Indwelling of His Spirit (the Governor)

Before the Lord Jesus left to be on the right hand of the Father, He made this statement:  “If you love Me, keep My commandments.  And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever..."  Before He left, He also gave His disciples this assignment:  And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,   teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  In each case, one must have the Governor (the Holy Spirit) living and abiding in their mortal body.  If you don't have the Spirit of the Lord residing in your temple (meaning in your body) you can't rightly claim yourself as a Kingdom citizen.  Why?  Because it is the Spirit that connects you to the Kingdom.  

​Keep in mind what ambassador Stephen told the high priest while giving his testimony:   “Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He appointed, instructing Moses to make it according to the pattern that he had seen, which our fathers, having received it in turn, also brought with Joshua into the land possessed by the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers until the days of David, who found favor before God and asked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob.  But Solomon built Him a house.  However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says:  ‘Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool.  What house will you build for Me? says the Lord, or what is the place of My rest?  Has My hand not made all these things?"  Remember, we are the temple of the living God and we must present our bodies in that fashion.  The 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.  After having done that and realizing who you are, you must learn the Kingdom and embrace the Kingdom concept.  This happens by having your mind being renewed through the Word (the Lord God's Constitution).  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.  

Take notice, before John the Baptist could do anything, the Lord God filled him with His Spirit.   For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.  Without the Holy Spirit and His leading, you are doing what you think is His Will, but in your own strength and with your finite mind.  That is common with many people, who are part of a religious organization.  Kingdom citizens are led by the Spirit.  Keep in mind that the Lord Jesus was led by the Spirit.  Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  The Governor (the Holy Spirit) led Him.  He didn't force Him to go into the wilderness.  The Holy Spirit nor the Lord God will not at any time force a person to do anything against their will.  The Holy Spirit is a gentleman.  Even back under the old covenant, the Lord God spoke to the children of promise (the Israelites) to make a choice of whom they would obey and give their allegiance.  The Lord God used His representative Moses.   “For this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’  Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.

“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil,  in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess.  But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them,  I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess.  I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.  

​Even in giving, you have a choice to give or not to give.   Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.  Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,  and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Here is what we must do.  Read and study the Lord God's Constitution and He will give you His gift.  In essence, live by the Word of the living God, which cannot be done if His Word isn't in you.  Never live by what you  may be thinking or feeling in the moment. Make the Kingdom your top priority.    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.  The Lord Jesus requires righteousness, not goodness.   What is considered good, changes with the culture of the day.  But righteousness is consistent and lines up with the truth of God's Word. What pleases the Lord Jesus?    “If you love Me, keep My commandments."  It is impossible to love the Lord Jesus and not be obedient to His Word.  Remember this one thing, the Lord God doesn't live in that building you call a church.  If you are obedient to His command, His Spirit will reside in you.  “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands."   

Always remember, your greatest asset is your faith in the Word of the Lord God.

John 14:15-16   Matthew 28:18-20   Acts 7:44-50   Romans 12:1-2   Luke 1:15   Matthew 4:1
Deuteronomy 30:11-19   Acts 4:32-37   Matthew 6:33-34   John 14:15   Act 17:24

~~W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org