This was an article that I wrote in 2016 about being citizens of heaven and what that means for us. I came across it today and love the truths contained in it that take us higher into who we are and what that means! Enjoy!
You are a Citizen of Heaven
Kathi Pelton
For all of those who have given their lives to the Lord and received His gift of grace (salvation), you are no longer citizens of this world but your citizenship has been transferred to your eternal home.
Because our citizenship is in a home where we have never physically been to, it is easy to forget that we have the rights and benefits of this “promise land” that awaits our homecoming. In the early hours of this morning I found myself “fretting” about some financial lack and other earthly things. After a few minutes of allowing my soul to fret, I heard the Spirit of the Lord say to me,
“Daughter, Heaven has no lack, concerns of lack or citizens that lack. Where is your citizenship?”
I realized that my momentary anxious thoughts were the thoughts of an earthly citizen without a merciful King in charge. Not just a king but one who has accepted every citizen as a son or daughter. I had been thinking like those whose only hope is in their own strength, their own labors and their own efforts. Citizens of this world live under a heavy yoke of slavery and the burden of independence but citizens of Heaven live in a family that lacks no good thing— with a Father that will never forsake His own.
Though we work hard in what God has called us to do, we know that it is not works that cause His promises to manifest in our lives but rather His grace. God was reminding me to realign my thoughts with my citizenship in Heaven. There is no lack for those whose citizenship is there! We know Biblically that there are season where we experience pruning and need— but He is present and provides so we might say, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”
If you find your mind wandering and aligning with earthly things and the heavy burdens that accompany it, then take a moment to realign your thoughts and posture with the truth of who you are and where your citizenship is.
Remember that there is no shame in moments of anxiety or worry. Just don’t live there or allow your soul to feed upon the doubts and fears that an anxious thought can set before you. This is not the table of the Lord! Though we are not to worry or fear, God understands that we are human, therefore we are having to yield our thoughts and emotions over to spiritual truths amid a physical world that gives a different message. There is no one, no matter how spiritual, that does not have to battle the fight between the flesh and spirit. There is no one that doesn’t get trapped in the occasional worries and anxieties of earthly things. Keep your soul dwelling in heavenly places and watch how it’s always being washed and renewed with hope and faith.
I’ve always believed that ministers of the gospel do a disservice to the body of Christ when they don’t relate themselves to the very real struggles that take place for all of God’s people; moments of anxiety, pain or even fears. The stories of struggle become the stories of overcoming by the grace of Jesus. One day every tear will be wiped away and shed no more but until then we have a Savior who is acquainted with every pain, fear and grief that we have ever faced and He has overcome them all. As citizens of Heaven we can enter into what He has overcome for us.
Today arise in His overcoming power! Arise knowing that the riches and benefits of Heaven belong to you! Arise into the truth that whoever the Son sets free is free indeed!
“But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.” Philippians 3:20-21 NLT
——————————————————-
To support this ministry with a financial gift, go to: https://www.inscribeministries.com/contact-us.html
Throughout the Christmas season I am giving away two of my books to all of our supporters*. My new devotional, JOY and one of my personal favorites, The Sounds of Christmas, that I co-authored with my husband.
* You will receive downloadable links
Oceans in the Desert 
Leave a Reply