Citizens of the Heavenly Kingdom
- Philippians 3:20 -
Overview
- Prayer Preface -
“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, Yahshua Messiah (Jesus)””
We can do all things through Yahshua (Jesus) who strengthens us to fulfill the perfect will of our Father’s heart. Through His Son’s sacrificial blood, Yahveh (God) Almighty has redeemed a people for His own “treasured possession,” who through loving obedience are becoming set apart (holy) and prepared for His eternal righteous Kingdom. This “called and chosen and faithful” (Revelation 17:14) remnant has truly heard and wholeheartedly heeded the Savior’s call, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me."For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, this is the one who will save it" (Luke 9:23-24) As supernaturally “born again” “new creations”, through a living faith in Yahshua (Jesus), our citizenship is no longer in this present world ruled by Satan, called “the god of this world” (John 3:3, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 4:4). “For He (our Father) rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.” (Colossians 1:13) “Therefore, if you have been raised up with Messiah, keep seeking the things above, where Messiah (Christ) is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Messiah in God.” (Colossians 3:1-3) Therefore, we are now the blood redeemed royal children of the Righteous King and eternal citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven!
“The Lord has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of HIS beloved Son””
The Holy Spirit deposited within us, is jealously teaching us how to walk and live as the royal righteous elect, who as foreign students here on earth, are being prepared to “rule and reign” with our Savior in His eternal Kingdom. (Revelation 20:4) Yahshua’s Spirit is relentlessly beseeching us to forsake the old self and sin nature with all of its gripping worldly desires, enticements, and preoccupations. “The world is passing away and also it’s lusts; but the one who does the will of [Yahveh] God lives forever.” (1John 2:17) “So then, my beloved … work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13)
As we diligently “work out our salvation”, we must continually strive to stay on “the narrow path” that leads to eternal life. (Matthew 7:13-14) The true holy walk, as followers of our Savior, requires that we “die daily” to our flesh by denying its insatiable worldly desires that war against the Holy Spirit within our born again spiritual lives. (1 Corinthians 15:31) The Apostle Paul puts it this way “… consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Messiah Yahshua (Christ Jesus). Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God … as instruments of righteousness ….” (Romans 6:11-13)
It’s midnight, the hour is late and it is time to reassess the reality that “our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a savior, the Lord Yahshua Messiah (Jesus Christ).” (Philippians 3:20) Therefore, “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.” (1Peter 2:11) The Holy Spirit is strongly cautioning us with these piercing words of our Savior’s brother, the Apostle James, "You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of (Yahveh) God.” (James 4:4)
“It’s midnight, the hour is late and it is time to reassess the reality that “our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a savior, the Lord Yahshua Messiah (Jesus Christ)””
We must prayerfully take an honest look at our priorities which are the biggest focus of our attention and affections. Yahshua (Jesus) admonishes His people “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21). It’s time for every professing “believer” to grow up and humbly repent and wholeheartedly turn away from the self justified catering to our flesh’s many insatiable desires and its lustful prideful covetousness for worldly toys and self indulging joys. Listen to Apostle Paul’s severe warning, “for this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man [person] who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of [Messiah] Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of [Yahveh] God comes upon the sons of disobedience.” (Ephesians 5:5-6) “Therefore, do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in [Yahshua] the Lord; walk as children of Light for the fruit of the Light consists of all goodness and righteousness and truth, trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord [Yahshua] … therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men [and women] but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:7-10) As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY FOR I AM HOLY.” (1Peter 1:14-16)
“Godly sorrow leads to true repentance and let us rejoice, that we Yahshua’s “Beloved”, have been redeemed for Him alone, for His good pleasure and His holy eternal purposes!””
Dear ones, how often we insult the Spirit of grace by giving Yahshua (Jesus) our cheap half hearted lip service while inwardly we are hypocritically desiring something or someone more than Him. This is very grievous and dangerously unwise since this hypocrisy provokes our Savior to jealousy because in His holy sight, His beloved is behaving as an adulterous unfaithful two timer! May we hang our heads in shame with “godly sorrow that leads to true repentance” understanding that we, Yahshua’s “beloved”, have been redeemed for Him alone, for His good pleasure, and His holy eternal glorious purposes! (2 Corinthians 7:10) With total commitment and power through the Holy Spirit, the redeemed remnant must fight “the good fight of faith.” (1 Timothy 6:12) We must exercise our free will, choosing moment by moment, to live in loving obedience to our blessed Redeemer. Yahshua (Jesus) gave His life, that we, like Him, would be “crucified to the world and the world to us,” denying our flesh for the glory and honor of our Righteous King; surrendering all to His sovereign dominion over our eternally grateful ransomed lives. (Galatians 6:14) The “called out, chosen, and faithful” ones will sincerely testify with the Apostle Paul “I have been crucified with Christ [Messiah]: and it is no longer I who live, but Christ [Messiah] lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Revelation 17:14, Galatians 2:20). HalleluYah!
Prayer & Music Video
My Father, You have spoken to my heart and I am deeply convicted of my selfish ways that are warring against Your Holy Spirit within me. Please forgive me of indulging my flesh and its many desires. Yahshua (Jesus), I love You and I humbly repent for the many times I have grieved You by being a friend of this world and becoming an enemy to You. I want to obey and follow You on the well lit narrow path that leads into Your Eternal Kingdom where only the righteous may enter. Heavenly Father, I acknowledge that I am a wretched selfish sinner and apart from Your loving mercy and cleansing blood, I am hopelessly lost. With godly sorrow and true repentance, I humble myself before You, my Savior, please wash away my many sins and cleanse me of my worldly double minded inclinations, bad habits, and attitudes. I am sincerely ready to deny myself and pick up my cross to follow You.
Please help me. I am weak but I have faith that You will make me more than a conqueror over my flesh, the world, its many temptations, and Satan. Thank You, Yahshua (Jesus) for dying for me so that I can live with You eternally as a redeemed citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven. In loving return for Your life sacrificed for me, I dedicate the rest of my life here on earth to the crucifying of my sinful self nature. I pray that by the power of Your indwelling Holy Spirit, You will be made known to others through my crucified surrendered life. Please help me to bring You praise, honor, and glory through my words and deeds. Thank You for Your precious sacrificial blood that has washed me clean and clothed me in Your righteousness. May I never take lightly such a merciful loving Savior and Your incomparable redeeming blood. With all my heart I will strive to be holy to Yahveh God and to be known by You as “called and chosen and faithful.” Thank You Yahshua (Jesus) for Your unfailing love that is calling me out of the darkness into Your glorious light!
Note: As a conclusion to this prayer please listen to the music video “Come Out of the Darkness” or view the music video HERE.
