Speaking the King’s Word in Every Situation

Speaking the King’s Word in Every Situation

​Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11 NKJV
 
You will never believe anything you hear more than the words you speak. We as citizens of God’s Kingdom have a responsibility to speak the King’s Word into every situation in our lives. We shouldn’t speak our thoughts and opinions but what God’s Word says about it. Often when we speak, we are verbalizing our fears, doubts and anxieties. That makes the situation worse. This is why it is so important to fill our mind and emotions with scriptures so we will be ready and able to speak what God says about our problems.
 
The tongue is a mighty weapon. Use it wisely. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words. Proverbs 18:21 AMP
 
People say things and then say they don’t mean it and were only joking. But if you slashed someone with a knife and then said you were only joking, would the cut be any less damaging?  A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.” Matthew 12:35-37 He who guards his mouth and his tongue guards himself from troubles. Proverbs 21:23 AMP
 
Jesus always modeled what our behavior and responses should be. He didn’t only teach about the Kingdom of God, He led by example. When King Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tested by the devil, He showed us clearly how we must always respond to temptations and trials. He responded with God’s Word. He went without food for forty days and nights. His flesh was very weak and at that time the devil came. The devil always comes at our time of weakness, whether it is physical, emotional or mental weakness.
 
Then Jesus was led by the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After He had gone without food for forty days and forty nights, He became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But Jesus replied, “It is written and forever remains written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.’”
 
Then the devil took Him into the holy city [Jerusalem] and placed Him on the pinnacle (highest point) of the temple. And he said [mockingly] to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command His angels concerning You [to serve, care for, protect and watch over You]’;
and ‘They will lift you up on their hands, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’” (Isn’t it funny that the devil would even use scripture to tempt us?)
 
Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written and forever remains written, ‘You shall not test the Lord your God.’”
 
Again, the devil took Him up on a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory [splendor, magnificence, and excellence] of them; and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written and forever remains written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” 
 
Then the devil left Him; and angels came and ministered to Him [bringing Him food and serving Him]. Matthew 4:1-11 AMP
 
This is how we are to handle every problem, every temptation, every challenge, every situation that comes to challenge our faith; It comes to see if we truly know who we are in the Kingdom of God. Jesus was at His weakest physically but He was full of the Word. There is power in God’s Word. After that time of testing, He was ready to begin His time of ministry and teaching the Gospel of the Kingdom. From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” Matthew 4:17
 
God’s Word is your ammunition. We must be full of the Word, ready to “shoot it off” the moment that trouble, trials or temptations come. “In the moment” is not the time to do a word search in God’s Constitution. His Word needs to be in you, ready to be spoken over any situation or confrontation. I will be compiling some scripture pages by subject to get started and adding to them as I complete them. If there is a specific topic you would like to see, let us know. Do scripture topic searches to keep building His Word in you. “Stockpile” His Word in your heart (mind and emotions) and be ready for anything that comes your way. The Holy Spirit will remind you of the appropriate Word in every situation.
 
You will be tested at times when you are at your weakest point of faith. Do not ever respond with what you think or feel. In those times, remember King Jesus in the wilderness at His body’s time of great weakness.

Respond as He did, “It is written. . .”

Deborah Luchie
​
www.kingdomcitizens.org

Knowing Who You Are in His Kingdom

Knowing Who You Are in His Kingdom   Once you realize who you really are, you will conduct yourself with a different mindset. Ambassador Paul is an example to follow. Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example… But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. Philippians 3:17, 20 NLT There are many who wear the religious title of Christian, but fail to study the Lord God’s Constitution. In His Constitution, the Lord Jesus promised to send us the Holy Spirit—our Kingdom Governor—if we keep His Word. 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… 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.” John 14:15-17, 23   The problem is that many who call themselves Christian fail to study and obey the King’s Constitution (Bible). They are believers in name only, not in actions. Because of this, they fall prey to false messages and doctrines. How can they be citizens of God’s Kingdom if they don’t know God’s Constitution? They don’t know who they really are.   If you really want to know who you truly are through the Lord God’s eyes, read and study His Constitution. Learn what life in the Kingdom of God looks like. Learn what your rights and responsibilities are. Learn what He says about you! For example, as Jesus tells us:  “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in Me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in My name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask Me for anything in My name, and I will do it!” John 14:12-14 NLT   When you don’t know who you are, you are vulnerable to the evil one’s tricks and deceptions. What better way for Satan to deceive believers than through false religious doctrine! He uses religion, money, power and sex to deceive those who claim to know the Lord Jesus. When you claim to know the King but don’t know His Word, you will fall for whatever sounds and feels good. Ambassador Paul addresses this very thing:  For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their stomach, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.  Philippians 3:18-19    Keep this in mind, a citizen of God’s Kingdom is filled with the Governor—the Holy Spirit—and knows his priority according to God’s Word. Note that the ambassador Paul stated that “their god was their stomach”. I notice on social media many who are always posting the foods they eat and what they are cooking. But stomach represents hungers and appetites. What do you hunger and thirst after? Your focus reveals what you have an appetite for.  “Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied. Matthew 5:6 AMP   Understanding who you are in His Kingdom causes you to see and think in a different way when it comes to His Constitution. Remember, the Holy Spirit—our Governor—is the key to understanding the Lord God’s Constitution. Without Him, you are operating in this world on your own strength and knowledge. Again, I say, remember what our King Jesus stated when He was here on this earth. 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   Knowing who you are in God’s Kingdom causes you to become bold in His Word. You stand taller and speak more confidently. You have faith and do not doubt when you speak God’s Word and principles wherever you go! The apostles, now having the Holy Spirit residing inside of them, spoke boldly to a hostile crowd of religious people. Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. Acts 14:1-3   Keep this in mind, the hostility came from their own people, yet they spoke boldly because they were of a Kingdom mindset and were being led by the Holy Spirit. They knew who they were.   Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. 2 Timothy 4:2-4 NLT   Remember, your greatest asset is your faith in the Word of the King. All scriptures are NKJV unless noted ​ W.R. Luchie www.kingdomcitizens.org

Psalm 51--King David's Prayer of Repentance

Psalm 51--King David's Prayer of Repentance

Have mercy on me, O God,
    because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion,
    blot out the stain of my sins.
Wash me clean from my guilt.
    Purify me from my sin.
For I recognize my rebellion;
    it haunts me day and night.
Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;
    I have done what is evil in Your sight.
You will be proved right in what You say,
    and Your judgment against me is just.
For I was born a sinner--
    yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.
But You desire honesty from the womb,
    teaching me wisdom even there.

Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Oh, give me back my joy again;
    You have broken me--
    now let me rejoice.
Don’t keep looking at my sins.
    Remove the stain of my guilt.
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
    Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Do not banish me from Your presence,
    and don’t take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
    and make me willing to obey You.
Then I will teach Your ways to rebels,
    and they will return to You.
Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves;
    then I will joyfully sing of Your forgiveness.
Unseal my lips, O Lord,
    that my mouth may praise You.

You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.
    You do not want a burnt offering.
The sacrifice You desire is a broken spirit.
    You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
Look with favor on Zion and help her;
    rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then You will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit--
    with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings.
    Then bulls will again be sacrificed on Your altar.
​~Amen~

What Is Kingdom Living?

What Is Kingdom Living? 

We often speak of Kingdom living, but some may wonder exactly what that means. Simply put, Kingdom living is living according to the Lord God’s Constitution. When you are filled with the Holy Spirit and you are obeying the leading of our Governor—the Holy Spirit—you cannot go wrong. The rights and benefits spoken of in His Constitution are available to you! Kingdom living is walking by faith. So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:6-7 Ambassador Paul said that we are at home in our bodies; meaning while we are living in this body until He calls us to be with Him.  Notice that he never stated that heaven is our home. When ambassador Paul states “we walk by faith and not by sight” he is saying that we trust the Lord God with our very lives. That is Kingdom living!
 
Kingdom living isn’t following a bunch of religious rituals, laws and traditions, but power in the Governor—the Holy Spirit. It is walking in the King’s protection while we are on this earth.  It is only through the Holy Spirit that we can truly walk by faith and give the Lord God the glory in every part of our life—finances, health and healing. He wants all the glory for everything in our lives. This is why we should go to the King for all our needs. Your faith in the Lord God should always be first and foremost when you need assistance in this world. If we truly believe that God’s Word is truth and that God is not a man so He cannot lie, how can we ever doubt Him? If you get ill and feel under attack by the enemy you should always go to the Father and King in the name of King Jesus. He fulfills His Word for His glory.  Do you recall what the Lord God stated to Isaiah? I am the Lord, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images. Isaiah 42:8 For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. All glory to Him forever! Amen. Romans 11:36 NLT
 
Keep this in mind, if you put King Jesus first, the Lord God will put you first. Do not put mankind before the Lord God. I will rescue you for My sake—yes, for My own sake! I will not let My reputation be tarnished, and I will not share My glory with idols! Isaiah 48:11 NLT
 
This is Kingdom living; totally trusting and putting your faith in the Lord God in Jesus’ name. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Romans 8:34  “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 Do you believe the Lord God’s Word is true? Have faith in His Word!
 
When you are a Kingdom citizen in good standing with the King, the Governor—Holy Spirit—will guide you throughout your life, as He has mine. A religious mind doesn’t understand Kingdom teaching because they have been taught by others who have a religious mindset. Kingdom living is all about focusing on one person, our King. While He was on this earth, He made this statement:  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
 
The Holy Spirit will guide you and use you in all you do, as you submit to His Will. Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. John 14:10 It is our Governor—the Holy Spirit—who does the work.
 
Kingdom living is living in His benefits and promises told in His Constitution.  As we know, the Lord God is not a man and He cannot lie. If He promised it in His Constitution, it will come to pass in His perfect timing. Have faith and do not doubt! David reminds us of His benefits.  Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:  Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
 
The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious; slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. Psalm 103:2-10
 
Praise the Lord, everything He has created, everything in all His Kingdom. Let all that I am praise the Lord! Psalm 103:22 NLT
 
Kingdom living is living by His Word and His Spirit.  His Word will speak to your need, your prayer. Find your scriptures and stand in faith on that Word.
 
Kingdom living has no lack. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 NLT  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 begging for bread. Psalm 37:25 AMP
 
Remember, it is your faith in the Lord God’s Word that is your greatest asset in the Kingdom and the key to Kingdom living.

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

Teaching the Kingdom Message

Teaching the Kingdom Message 

First, I want to take a moment and thank my Lord and King for showing me my purpose and giving me this assignment to teach His Kingdom Gospel. This morning, He woke me up at about 4:15 AM with this message. I really appreciate my Father for allowing me to live this long to preach and teach His message, free from religious traditions. It is an honor to be able to carry this Kingdom message over the internet around the world!
 
In order to be “qualified” to preach and teach the Kingdom message, you first must be filled with His Spirit. Yes, I mean our Governor, the Holy Spirit. He will guide you into all truth. King Jesus said, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” John 16:13 
 
Note that He stated “He will guide you into all truth”. Keep in mind, the Governor—meaning he Holy Spirit—doesn’t have His own agenda, but only that of the Father. When you see men or women glorifying themselves, that is a clear sign they aren’t speaking the Lord God’s message. Again, King Jesus made that very clear to His disciples:  He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.  John 16:14
 
I consider myself as ambassador Paul declared of himself as being a slave of my King and Lord. As one songwriter wrote, “You’ve got to serve somebody. It may be the devil or it may be the Lord.” I am glad to report that I serve King Jesus every day of my natural life, regardless of the circumstance. People can tell who you serve by your actions, more than your words! My wife Arlene and I are faithful to our assignment. We don’t add to the Kingdom message or take away from it. If we ever stray, we pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal that to us and make a correction of our direction.
 
King Jesus always stayed in line with His Father’s Will. By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and My judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but Him who sent Me. John 5:30 AMP Now if the King made this statement concerning Himself, what does that say for us? He stayed true to His assignment from Heaven. “Father, if it is Your Will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My Will, but Yours, be done.”  Luke 22:42
 
When an employee transcribes a letter for the employer, it is entered exactly as the employer said. Nothing more and nothing less. The employee doesn’t add their opinions or what they feel needs to be said. In order for one to teach the Lord God’s Kingdom message, they must thoroughly understand the Kingdom concept. The Lord God is the Author and Finisher of His Kingdom concept. When the Lord God gives you an assignment, remember the He is the Author and stay on that assignment until He gives you something else.
 
Read the words King Jesus spoke to Pilate:   Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My Kingdom is not from here.” John 19:36  Kingdom citizens never concern themselves about rights and freedom while living in this world. This place on earth is temporary. That is a difference between having a Kingdom mindset and a religious mindset. This world is not our home. The things of this world are of no real consequence to us. We realize that we live in this world but aren’t of this world. We only live here for as long as our Lord and King allows.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18 AMP
 
King Jesus made this prayer to His Father:  Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. . .  I have given them Your Word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.  And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. John 17:11, 14-19
 
King Jesus was speaking of His disciples, but He added us to His prayer to His Father. “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” John 17:20-23
 
The words of King Jesus concerning the religious Scribes and Pharisees shows us that religion has no place in God's Kingdom. We see here how Jesus felt about religion!  They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden.

“Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels.  And they love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the seats of honor in the synagogues. They love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi.’

“Don’t let anyone call you ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters. And don’t address anyone here on earth as ‘Father,’ for only God in heaven is your Father. And don’t let anyone call you ‘Teacher,’ for you have only one teacher, the Messiah. The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either." Matthew 23:4-14 NLT 
(The whole chapter is excellent! It clearly shows King Jesus' attitude  about the religious. Matthew 23)

The Lord God’s charge to His people was this:  My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, also will reject you from being priest for Me; because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. Hosea 4:6 The same situation exists today to the self proclaimed people of faith, when they fail to read and study the Lord God’s Constitution and fail to listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit, our Governor. We need a reverence for God’s Word and never throw it around casually, using scriptures out of context to fit our personal “narrative”.
 
We must approach teaching and preaching the Kingdom Gospel as Jesus taught, circumspectly; with a reverential fear of the Lord God.  We should never allow ourselves to misrepresent Him or His Kingdom!
 
Remember, your faith in His Word is your greatest asset in His Kingdom.

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

The Kingdom Message is Unique

 

The Kingdom Message is Unique

 

​​The other morning, for a brief moment, I was hit with the emotional thought that I was alone in seeing the Kingdom message. As I approached my wife in the kitchen, I shared with her that thought. (Keep in mind, when the enemy throws a stumbling block in your path, it will always be aimed at your emotions! But the Lord God will use it for your good, if you will allow Him.) Not long after, she came to me with these words:  The Kingdom of God is unique. From that point on the Governor—the Holy Spirit—began to deal with me. This is what He showed me:
 
And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 10:22
 
I realized at that very moment that the evil one was making an attempt to discourage me. I recall what my Lord and King stated to His Disciples.  And when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city! Matthew 10:12-15 Notice He didn’t say stop and make an attempt to convince them of the Kingdom. Realize that there will be times on this earth that you will feel as if you are all alone with the Kingdom message, but you are not alone. The Holy Spirit, our Kingdom Governor, will guide you every step of the way. Let Him lead and guide you with His Kingdom message.
 
Remember what King Jesus said concerning the Governor. “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. John 14:15-18 He stated that He will not leave us alone here on this earth as orphans! He also stated if you love Him and keep His commands His Father will make their home with us. He was speaking of the Governor—the Holy Spirit. 
 
Keep in mind that the Kingdom of God and Heaven is eternal. Remember what King Jesus stated to Nicodemus. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:14-15 This is one of the reasons that the Kingdom message is unique. Jesus is also why the Kingdom message is unique. He gave His promise to us. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are One. John 10:28-30 Yes, His Father agrees with this because they are One.
 
Remember that the Lord God always keeps His Word and promises. Ambassador Paul made it clear when he said that the Lord God couldn’t lie. Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began. . . Titus 1:1-2 This is in agreement with the Word from the Lord God that the prophet Balaam spoke to Balak. “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Behold, I have received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot reverse it.” Numbers 23:19-20
 
This is yet another reason why the Kingdom message is unique. He is not like mankind that He should have to lie. Whatever He speaks is Truth.
 
Last, but not least of all, the Kingdom message is unique because it is the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven government, come to earth through our Lord and King, Jesus the Christ. It is a message that is hard for anyone of a religious background to see. But once you see it, you cannot unsee it and your mindset is forever changed, by the power and wisdom of our Governor, the Holy Spirit!
 
He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. 
 
That is why I use these parables; For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand. This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says,
‘When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend. For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes—so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to Me and let Me heal them.’
 
“But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it.” Matthew 13:11-17 NLT
 
Yes! Always remember that His message is unique and we, His citizens, are unique all the way down to our DNA and our fingerprints! But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.
​
“Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10 NLT

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

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

He Came Not to Condemn the World

He Came Not to Condemn the World

 

To condemn is to publicly declare that someone is wrong, guilty; to pass judgment.
 
When speaking to the religious leader, Nicodemus, King Jesus made this statement: For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:17 Keep this in mind, throughout His whole stay in this world; He never condemned a single person for their sins. In fact, He forgave them of their faults and sins. When people left His presence, they were better and forever changed; not condemned.
 
Do you recall the woman who was caught in adultery and how the religious leaders accused her before King Jesus? Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” 
 
This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.
 
So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”
 
She said, “No one, Lord.”
 
And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” John 8:2-11
 
We, as Kingdom citizens are to teach and preach the Kingdom government as we are led of the Holy Spirit, our Governor. As I walk on this earth, I must say, there are many religious leaders and individuals who don’t even know who the Governor—Holy Spirit—is. If they don’t know who He is, how can they have Him dwelling in their mortal body?
 
When the Lord Jesus sent His disciples out in twos, He told them that if they were rejected, to simply “shake the dust off of their feet”. He never told them to condemn those who would not receive their message. “Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. And when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city! Matthew 10:11-15 Note that He didn’t state to tell them they were going to hell.
 
We as citizens of the Kingdom government should always be looking to make others aware of the Kingdom message, but not to condemn. Now, first to be clear, those individuals who fail to acknowledge Christ as the Lord God’s only Son are condemned already. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. John 3:18-19
 
You cannot have the Lord God without His Son. They are One. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 1 John 2:23  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. . . Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. John 14:6 & 10
 
So we should always follow the example of our King Jesus and the leading of our Governor—the Holy Spirit. You must allow Him to draw them to the King through you. If you draw closer to Him, He will come closer to you.
 
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify  our hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:7-10
 
Our responsibility as Kingdom citizens is to preach and teach the Kingdom government to others and not to get involved in this world’s affairs. For we are born again of His Spirit, therefore we are not of this world.  Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not of this world. If My Kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My Kingdom is not from here.” John 18:36
 
This is why we, as citizens of His Kingdom, should never condemn the people of this world. We also should never have to pick up arms to defend ourselves. We are citizens of His Kingdom, not soldiers. The Lord God has angels to do His bidding.  And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
 
But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?” Matthew 26:51-53
 
We live in the fallen world but it is not in us. We are full of God’s Kingdom through the Holy Spirit operating within us. There is no place for condemnation in His Kingdom. We represent King Jesus and His Kingdom everywhere we go for where we are, God’s Kingdom is there! Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NLT  
 
Your greatest asset in the Kingdom is your faith in His Word.

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

Understanding What the Kingdom Is, and Is Not

Understanding What the Kingdom Is, and Is Not

When the Pharisees asked King Jesus about the Kingdom, this is what 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 Keep in mind that when He made that statement, He was speaking of the Holy Spirit—our Governor—that would be in them. For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 NLT   
 
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. John 16:13-14
 
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Galatians 5:22-25 NLT
 
What we must understand, is that the Kingdom of Heaven resides in those who are filled with the Holy Spirit—our Governor. This will come about for those of us who love Him and keep His commands. You have to be “on the same page” with His Word. Being obedient to His Word is key to receiving the Governor—Holy Spirit. You must have the same mindset. 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  An example of the Holy Spirit as our Governor would be the ancient Romans appointing a Governor to rule and manage a new territory, in accordance with their laws. When we accept King Jesus as our Savior and entrance into His Kingdom, we become His “territory” and He will send the Holy Spirit—our Governor—to govern us.
 
Attending church doesn’t mean that you are in the Kingdom. It means that you attend a religious institution and more likely have a religious mindset rather than a Kingdom mindset. The Kingdom of the Lord Jesus is a government. God’s Constitution made that very clear. How could we have missed it? For unto us a Child is born. Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 9:6-7
 
Having a Kingdom mindset is vital, because you will view the Lord God’s Constitution from a much different perspective. To be a citizen in the Kingdom of the Lord God is to have it within you.
 
Understand this one thing, the Kingdom of God isn’t just something you talk about, it is the government of the Lord God operating in your mortal body. Remember, when you have the Governor—Holy Spirit—living in your mortal body, it is the government of God’s Kingdom living inside of you. Do you recall what King Jesus stated to His disciples?  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. . . Soon the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me. Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you. Those who accept My commandments and obey them are the ones who love Me. And because they love Me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”  Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to Him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?”
 
Jesus replied, “All who love Me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and We will come and make Our home with each of them. John 14:17-23 NLT  
 
His Word should be an ongoing thing in your life, as is water, air and food! In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. . . He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 
 
He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:  who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
 
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 1:1-3, 10-14
 
The Kingdom of God has nothing to do with religion, church, denominations, conferences, brands, bands or even tee shirts. . .


The Kingdom of God is the government of God dwelling in you.
 
It is a personal and intimate relationship. 

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

Recognizing a Religious Spirit

Recognizing a Religious Spirit 

If you grew up in church or have any religious experiences, you probably have some religious filters that frame your thoughts. I certainly do, because as a "preacher's kid" I spent all of my childhood in church--Sunday morning, Sunday night, midweek service, youth service, and special services! Those experiences give us a religious mindset that, as Kingdom citizens, we work to change through the understanding that Jesus came to reintroduce the Kingdom of God which is the government of Heaven.  That is a process through studying God's Constitution and listening and being led by the Holy Spirit, our Governor.  Keep in mind, a religious spirit is a demonic spirit sent to attempt to deceive and hide the truth of God's Kingdom under religion. People may be used by this spirit out of their discouragement, frustration and disappointment over other people's lack of faith and commitment. Their self-righteousness makes them vulnerable. But how can we recognize when we, or others, are being influenced or controlled by a religious spirit and not just having a religious mindset?

A religious spirit is controlling, usurping our God given free will.
From the beginning of creation, the Lord God gave mankind the freedom to choose right or choose wrong. He could very easily have made us unable to disobey Him but He wants us to freely choose His way over the wants of our flesh and sins of this world.  But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden—except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” Genesis 2:16-17 ~~~ Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying Him, and committing yourself firmly to Him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Deuteronomy 30:19-20 The religious spirit wants your obedience and submission. It tells you what you should and shouldn't do, then tries to make you comply.  If you don't, the religious spirit will dole out punishment--chastising, shunning, embarrassing, lecturing--for your disobedience. 

A religious spirit is easily angered when people don't comply.
In my experience, a religious spirit's strongest emotion is anger, always ready to come out. You've probably seen pastors who always sound angry when they preach. A famous historical sermon by Jonathan Edwards comes to mind, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God". A religious spirit wants to make you "holy" by submitting to their will rather than cultivating your self control, which is a fruit of the Spirit. Anger and rage are tools used to control people. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, He has identified you as His own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:30-32 ~~~ Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. James 1:19-20

A religious spirit is a contrary, argumentative spirit.
A religious spirit is always ready for an argument, always ready to debate when they disagree. Apologetics is a religious concept and has no place in the Lord God's Kingdom government.  Don't take the "bait". Arguments are pointless and change no one's mind.  They only produce anger.  What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?  James 4:1 ~~~ Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time. If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. For people like that have turned away from the truth, and their own sins condemn them. Titus 3:9-11 ~~~  Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life. Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy. 1 Timothy 6:3-5

A religious spirit grows weeds of the flesh not fruits of the Spirit.
What is the fruit in the life of the person you think is being influenced by a religious spirit?  But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23 ~~~ Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. Matthew 7:15-20 Be aware!

Study the life and teachings of our Lord Jesus in the four Gospels. It is a blueprint for what is expected of Kingdom citizens. Jesus never told them to convince, coerce or lecture them into submission. He never told them how to control the people. Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: “Don’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, but only to the people of Israel—God’s lost sheep. Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!"

"Don’t take any money in your money belts—no gold, silver, or even copper coins. Don’t carry a traveler’s bag with a change of clothes and sandals or even a walking stick. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve to be fed."

“Whenever you enter a city or village, search for a worthy person and stay in his home until you leave town. When you enter the home, give it your blessing. If it turns out to be a worthy home, let your blessing stand; if it is not, take back the blessing. If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave.  I tell you the truth, the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah will be better off than such a town on the judgment day. Matthew 10:5-15 

Religion has never been a friend of Jesus. Remember, it was not the government who crucified Jesus, but the religious leaders.   Pilate went outside again and said to the people, “I am going to bring Him out to you now, but understand clearly that I find Him not guilty.” Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said, “Look, here is the man!”

When they saw Him, the leading priests and Temple guards began shouting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

“Take Him yourselves and crucify Him,” Pilate said. “I find Him not guilty.”

The Jewish leaders replied, “By our law He ought to die because He called himself the Son of God.”

When Pilate heard this, he was more frightened than ever. . .Then Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jewish leaders shouted, “If you release this man, you are no ‘friend of Caesar.’ Anyone who declares himself a king is a rebel against Caesar.”

When they said this, Pilate brought Jesus out to them again. Then Pilate sat down on the judgment seat on the platform that is called the Stone Pavement (in Hebrew, Gabbatha). It was now about noon on the day of preparation for the Passover. And Pilate said to the people, “Look, here is your king!”

“Away with Him,” they yelled. “Away with Him! Crucify Him!”

“What? Crucify your king?” Pilate asked.

“We have no king but Caesar,” the leading priests shouted back.

Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified. John 19:5-8, 12-16

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. Galatians 5:1

​Be a Kingdom light shining in the darkness,

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

Laodicea, The Lukewarm Church

Laodicea, The Lukewarm Church

“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:  “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.  So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.  To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne."

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”  Revelation 3:14-22 

Laodicea was the wealthiest city in Phrygia during Roman times.  It was widely known for its banking establishments, medical schools and textile industry.  But the city always had a problem with its water supply.  At one time an aqueduct was built to bring water to the city from hot springs.  By the time the water reached the city, it was neither hot nor refreshingly cool, only lukewarm.  The believers had become as bland as the tepid water that came into the city.

Have you ever had lukewarm water?  It makes a very disgusting drink, especially if you just came out of the hot sun.  The believers in Laodicea had become lukewarm and thus distasteful and repugnant.  Believers in that city didn't take a stand for anything.  Indifference led to idleness.  It is just like today's society.  They attend their brick and mortar church on Sundays and Wednesdays and call it being faithful to the King.  There is nothing more disgusting than a halfhearted, in name only, self-stated believer, who believes he is self-sufficient.  He has money and is comfortable. He doesn't feel dependent on God.

The believers in Laodicea supplied neither healing for the spiritually sick nor refreshment for the spiritually weary.  Have you noticed what the Lord Christ stated?  "I will vomit you out of  My mouth."  My advice to all who claim to be Kingdom citizens is don't follow the Lord Christ halfway.  Believe me when I say, you will have to answer for your life.  Read and study His Word every day.  Give Him the time He deserves in your life. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. I Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT

Comfort can make us lukewarm, even indifferent to the things of God. We may think we don't need Him as much. Many leaders who are financially secure, and think that they own what they have, but in reality God only gives us access.  He owns it all. We are merely stewards--good or bad--of His possessions. The leaders at Laodicea took great pride in their financial wealth, an extensive textile industry and a famous eye salve.  Just as in today's society, some believers falsely assume that numerous material possessions are a sign of the Lord Jesus' spiritual blessings.  Now, where do you think they got that from? Laodicea was a wealthy city and the members of the church were also wealthy. They were full of the world, comfortable and feeling self-sufficient.  They thought they were doing just fine without Him.  Their church was a religious ritual.  They felt no hunger or need for God.  They felt no conviction to obey Him or spread the Gospel.  They were content, complacent and disgustingly lukewarm. 

​The closer we get to the world, the more distant we become to the Kingdom. You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. James 4:4 NLT
​
​Please get a clear picture of the situation of the church in that era.  The church back then was made up of believers meeting in their homes,  not a church building as it is in today's society. Today, all too often in organized religion, there is more focus on money and buildings than on God's Word and discipling believers. Laodicea was a wealthy city and the church (meaning the believers) was also wealthy.  What the Laodiceans could see and purchase (the carnal) became more of a priority than what was unseen and eternal.  Sad to say, there isn't much difference between then and now.  Wealth, luxury and ease can cause people to feel confident, satisfied and complacent.  But no matter how much you possess or how much wealth you gather, you  have nothing if you do not have a close relationship with the King.

​The city was very proud of its cloth and dyeing industry, but the Lord told them to purchase white garments from Him(His righteousness).  Also, Laodicea prided itself on its precious eye salve that healed many eye problems.  But the Lord told them to get medicine from Him to heal their eyes so they could see the Truth.   And Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.”  John 9:39 ​ 

​The Lord Christ was presenting to the Laodiceans that the true value wasn't in material possessions, but obeying His Word. That is the right relationship.  Their possessions and achievements were valueless compared to the everlasting future of Christ the Lord's Kingdom.  The Lord made this statement, Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.  My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction; For whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights.  Proverbs 3:11-12 And the ambassador Paul made this statement:  But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. I Corinthians 11:32  Notice he says that we will not be condemned with the world.  If you are a son, expect to be disciplined.  Again, Paul made it clear to the Hebrew believers.  And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:  “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.”

If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?  For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.  Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:5-11  

Again, the Lord stated "to him that overcome" they will sit with Him on His throne.  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. Revelation 3:19-21  

How can we read these scriptures and be lukewarm and indifferent to the Lord God and His all His promises to us in His Constitution? Either we do not really believe, or we have become so familiar with the "routine". We don't enter into His presence with awe and gratefulness at all He IS in our lives.  Sometimes we need to remind our self just how awesome our Lord and King is. If you are feeling lukewarm toward the Lord God and His Kingdom, stir up your passion today. Meditate on His goodness! God is awesome in His sanctuary. The God of Israel gives power and strength to His people. Praise be to God! Psalm 68:35 NLT Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping Him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:28-29 NLT  

​Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:  “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” Revelation 4:9-11

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

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

Pergamos, The Compromising Church

Pergamos, The Compromising Church

Pergamos was built on a hill 1000 feet above the surrounding countryside, creating a natural fortress. It was a sophisticated city; a center of Greek culture and education, with a 200,000 volume library. But, it was also the city of four cults, and it rivaled Ephesus in its worship of idols.  

The city's chief god was Asclepius, whose symbol was a serpent and who was considered the god of healing. People came to Pergamos from all over the world at that time to seek healing from this god.

John, the Lord Jesus' representative, spoke these words to Pergamos: “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:  “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.  But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.  Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”’  Revelation 2:12-17

Just as the Romans used their swords for authority and judgment, the Lord Jesus' two-edged sword represents the Lord God's ultimate authority and judgment.

​As the center of four idolatrous cults (Zeus, Dionysius, Asclepius and Athena).  Pergamos was called the city "where Satan's throne is". Surrounded by worshipers of Satan and the Roman emperor looked at as god, the Believers (or church) at Pergamos refused to renounce their faith in the Lord Jesus, even when Satan's worshipers martyred one of their members, they stood firm against the strong pressures and temptations of that society.  It is never easy, but the alternative is deadly. Remember, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”  Revelation 2:11​

It wasn't easy to be a Believer in Pergamos.  Believers experienced great pressure to compromise the Lord God's principles and laws.  They are the Lord God's laws and principles that we are to obey and live by.  I have to share this, nothing is known of Antipas except that he never compromised principles and laws.  He was faithful to the Lord Jesus, even though he lived where "Satan lived".  Apparently however, some in the church were tolerating those who taught and practiced what the Lord Jesus opposed.   To compromise can be defined as a blending of the qualities of two different things or a concession of principles; to cooperate with people as much as you can but avoid any alliance, partnership or participation that can lead to immoral practices.  They tolerated sin, compromising their beliefs.  There is room for differences of opinion among Believers in some areas, but there is no room for heresy and moral impurity.  Your city, community and family might not participate in idol feasts as you know it, but it probably has pornography, sexual immorality, cheating, gossiping and lying. Do not tolerate disobedience to the Word of God by bowing to the pressure to be open-minded.

Believers who aren't focused on the Word of God, compromise.  Balak was a king who feared the large number of Israelites traveling through his country.  Keep in mind, all the earth belongs to the Lord God.  Balak hired Balaam to pronounce a curse on them.  At first, Balaam refused, but money was offered to him and he changed his mind.  Read Numbers Chapters 22-24 

Later, Balaam influenced the Israelites to turn to idols and disobey the Lord God's laws and principles and worship their idols. Look, these women caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord.....They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness. Numbers 31:16  2 Peter 2:15 What sorrow awaits them! For they follow in the footsteps of Cain, who killed his brother. Like Balaam, they deceive people for money. And like Korah, they perish in their rebellion.  Jude 11 NLT  The Lord Jesus rebuked the Believers (the Church) for tolerating those who, like Balaam, led the people away from God's principles and laws.  They drove them to religious practices and away from the Lord Jesus and His message.

Keep in mind, the sword is the Lord God's judgment against a rebellious nation.  Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God...And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.  Revelation 19:15, 21 This includes all forms of disobedience.  Remember, the "hidden manna" suggests the spiritual nourishment that those faithful Believers will receive in our Lord and King Jesus.

As the Israelites traveled toward the land of Promise, the Lord God provided manna from heaven for their physical nourishment.   So it was that quails came up at evening and covered the camp, and in the morning the dew lay all around the camp.  And when the layer of dew lifted, there, on the surface of the wilderness, was a small round substance, as fine as frost on the ground.  So when the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was.

And Moses said to them, “This is the bread which the Lord has given you to eat.  This is the thing which the Lord has commanded: ‘Let every man gather it according to each one’s need, one omer for each person, according to the number of persons; let every man take for those who are in his tent.’”

Then the children of Israel did so and gathered, some more, some less. So when they measured it by omers, (A measure of capacity among the Hebrews; the tenth part of an ephah; a little more than five pints.)  he who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack. Every man had gathered according to each one’s need. Exodus 16:13-18

Jesus is the living bread.  I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.”   John 6:51 He provides spiritual nourishment that satisfies our deepest hunger.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”’ Revelation 2:17

But I am reminded of the old practice of drawing stones from a bag to choose who stays and who goes--who wins and who loses.  If you received the white stone, you were accepted.  But if you drew the dark stone, you were rejected.  The stones are significant because each will bear the new name of every individual who truly believes in the Lord Jesus the Christ.  They are the evidence of that individual accepted by the Lord God and declared worthy to receive eternal life.  Keep in mind, a person's name represented his or her character.  The Lord God will give us new names and new hearts. 

Remember what I often say, "If a person can name you, they will define you."

​We must be vigilant and aware of our standing with our Father in the Kingdom. We can be so busy "doing church" that we do not even notice when His Spirit  "left the building".  We run on our feelings and habits. We are awake, yet spiritually asleep. That is dangerous ground because we are being deceived. And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. Romans 13:11-14

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