The Presence Of God

Apostle Grace Lubega

1 Samuel 4: -10(KJV);  And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men. And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the Lord smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies. And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the Lord was come into the camp. And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing heretofore…And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen.

The scriptures give an account of a battle between Israel and the Philistines where Israel suffered a terrible defeat.

In 1 Samuel 4:2, the Bible reveals that four thousand men of Israel were killed at first.

After this defeat, the men of Israel decided to bring the Ark of the Covenant into their camp. They rejoiced greatly when this was done because they assumed that its presence in the camp was the guarantee of victory.

The result?

Thirty thousand men were killed during that battle. Israel suffered a greater defeat when the Ark of the Covenant came into the camp.

Think about it.

With the very presence of God in their midst, thousands of them died.

Why would men with the very presence of God be defeated?

These men sought His presence without an understanding of the God of the presence.

They sought for victory without understanding the God of victory.

They brought him to a war without understanding the God who fights and wins wars.

The presence of God cannot profit a man who does not have a relationship with the God whose presence he seeks.

The presence of God is the reality of His Person. It is Him telling you, “I am here, feel me.”

You cannot walk in this reality without the intimacy of relationship.

Do not simply desire the presence of God, purpose to also know Him personally.

FURTHER STUDY: Exodus 33:15, Exodus 33:3

GOLDEN NUGGET:

The presence of God cannot profit a man who does not have a relationship with the God whose presence he seeks.

PRAYER: My Father, I thank You for Your Presence in my life. I thank You because You will never leave me nor forsake me. You are my ever present help in times of need. I have been sealed with the Spirit to eternity and can never walk alone. Because I have You, I am always victorious. Because I have You, I live boldly. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Things That Make Ministers: Order In The House Of God

Apostle Grace Lubega

Ecclesiastes 5:4(KJV); When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.

There is a way God expects us as Christians to conduct ourselves in the execution of our duties in ministry.

There are people who behave like they are doing God a favour by serving in various capacities in ministry. They do things the way they want; show up when they want and are never excellent in what they do.

In fact, some, when offended can quit with no consideration of the effect of their decisions whatsoever.

People like this do not know how to conduct themselves in the house of the Lord; they do not observe order in the house of God.

In our theme scripture, God uses very stern language and says, when you make a vow unto Him, defer not to pay it for He has no pleasure in fools.

If you have made up your mind to serve God, do so with all of your heart; He has no pleasure in those that take ministry lightly.

Be careful how you serve now that you have chosen to serve God because this determines whether there will be promotions in your life or not.

Serve with diligence, excellence and integrity. Let your labours be truly labours of love because you serve, not merely out of obligation but because you love God.

FURTHER STUDY: Hebrews 6:10, 2 Corinthians 12:15

GOLDEN NUGGET:

If you have made up your mind to serve God, do so with all of your heart; He has no pleasure in those that take ministry lightly. Serve with diligence, excellence and integrity. Let your labours be truly labours of love because you serve, not merely out of obligation but because you love God.

PRAYER: Loving Father, I thank You for the great privilege to serve You. What an honour! I serve in the understanding of what it means to be a true minister of God. I embrace my duty with joy and execute it with love. This is not so I am approved by men but it is the pleasure of my heart to serve the living God. I follow the true patterns of service. To the glory of Your name. Amen.

Of Persecution

Apostle Grace Lubega

Mark 10:29-30; And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, WITH PERSECUTIONS; and in the world to come eternal life.

Persecution is an inheritance.

In our theme scripture, the Bible says, that PERSECUTION shall come along side houses, brethren, sisters, mothers, children and lands; it is part and parcel of the whole package of the blessing of God.

Deeper than this, the Bible reveals that persecution comes with the hundred-fold level of growth in the Spirit.

There is a thirty fold, the sixty fold and a hundred fold levels of growth (Matthew 13:8).

There are people who are not persecuted because they operate in the smaller folds of blessing.

However, the scripture has made it clear that as long as you are at one hundred fold, persecution will always follow you.

When success comes your way; when your ministry grows; when the anointing upon your life increases; when the blessing of God upon your life manifests greatly, you will be amazed by the things that accompany it.

This is why you must be ready to count the cost of success.

If you are ready to walk in the a hundred fold blessing, you must also be ready to embrace persecution as your due.

Glory to God.

FURTHER STUDY: Matthew 5:10, Acts 5:41

GOLDEN NUGGET:

Persecution is an inheritance. You must be ready to count the cost of success. If you are ready to walk in the a hundred fold blessing, you must also be ready to embrace persecution as your due.

PRAYER: My God, I thank You for the great privilege of being a child of God and to be a partaker of the blessings of the kingdom. Lord I choose to live in the hundred-fold blessing and to walk in the hundred-fold level of spiritual growth. I embrace all that comes with it knowing that it is such an honour to be counted worthy to suffer for Your name. I rejoice in this glory no matter what comes my way. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Of Tale Bearing

Apostle Grace Lubega

Proverbs 26:22(AMP); The words of a whisperer or slanderer are like dainty morsels or words of sport [to some, but to others are like deadly wounds]; and they go down into the innermost parts of the body [or of the victim’s nature].

Gossip and slander have grave effects on the body of Christ.

Our theme scripture reveals that they are as deadly wounds that go down into the innermost parts of the body.

Think about this not just as a physical body but as the body of Christ.

Because of gossip and slander, some people have left the Church and abandoned the faith.

Because of gossip and slander, entire ministries have been destroyed.

Because of gossip and slander, some Christians have failed to grow.

In Proverbs 26:20, the Bible says, “where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.”

It means that strife in the body of Christ is fuelled by those who have this same weakness.

Child of God, purpose to stay away from gossip and slander. Have the wisdom never to sit in conversations of those that slur other people’s character. Never allow yourself to be the channel of gossip.

This knowledge will preserve you and cause you to grow in the things of the Spirit. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Proverbs 20:19, Proverbs 11:13

GOLDEN NUGGET:

Purpose to stay away from gossip and slander. Have the wisdom never to sit in conversations of those that slur other people’s character. Never allow yourself to be the channel of gossip. This knowledge will preserve you and cause you to grow in the things of the Spirit.

PRAYER: Father, I thank You for this wisdom. I choose to heed to it this day and walk in it. I never sit in the seat of scorners or in the company of slanderers. I walk in the perfect love of God that speaks the things that minister grace to my hearers. My lips only open in wisdom to minister love and truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Ministers Of The Word

Apostle Grace Lubega

2 Timothy 316-17(KJV); All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

The Word of God makes ministers of us.

Every time you listen to knowledge and receive the Word of God, understand that it is instructing and equipping you for ministry.

This is why our theme scripture teaches that “All scripture is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfectly, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

Some people assume that all they will do is consistently attend services, listen to sermons and sit under sound teaching solely for their own sake; to make them better Christians.

The scriptures are clear that to whom much is given much is required (Luke 12:48).

Every revelation comes with its demand on your spirit.

You are not merely a steward of mysteries. God has not entrusted us with mysteries and the sacred things of the Spirit simply so that you can boast of having them.

We are MINISTERS of these mysteries too.

You don’t need a pulpit to be a minister of the Word of God.

In your capacity as a business person, a student, career person or any other station in life, you are a minister of the Word of God.

Praise the Lord!

FURTHER STUDY: Luke 12:48, Acts 6:8, 2 Corinthians 3:6

GOLDEN NUGGET:

The Word of God makes ministers of us. In your capacity as a business person, a student, career person or any other station in life, you are a minister of the Word of God.

PRAYER: My father, I thank You for the precious gift of Your Word. Lord I carry the responsibility that it’s not just knowledge to me but it places a demand on my spirit to minister it. I am more than a steward of the mysteries of God; I am a minister of these mysteries. Regardless of where I am, I am a testimony of Christ and His great work. To the glory of Your name. Amen.

The Vision For Your Life

Apostle Grace Lubega

Isaiah 53:1(KJV); Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?

When some Christians think about the end of their lives, they only see the great wealth they will have accumulated; the beautiful homes; the expensive cars; the great businesses and any such material things.

No, child of God, the end of this story is not about wealth, that is having tunnel vision of the things of God; the end of this story is God and what He has purposed as your part in the grand scheme of things.

Before you were born, God defined your end and that story exists and so he asks you, whose report shall you believe?

How can you believe a report you have not read? Do you have the full story?

God wants to give you the full story. Not half, not a quarter but the full story.
This story is His vision for your life.

When a person does not understand this vision, he will cling to a job the Lord wants him to let go of; some quit their jobs too early; another will marry the wrong person; while another will weep over people whom God takes out of their lives, yet He is only doing so to protect them.

Waiting on the Lord can only make sense when you have this vision for your life.

Purpose to understand God’s vision for your life.

Ask and wait on Him to draw the milestones of your life. Not simply what you think it is or what you imagine your end should be like, but what He has determined as your destiny and course.
Praise Him!

FURTHER STUDY: Jeremiah 29:11, Ephesians 2:10 (AMP), 2 Timothy 4:7-8

GOLDEN NUGGET:

Purpose to understand God’s vision for your life. Ask and wait on Him to draw the milestones of your life. Not simply what you think it is or what you imagine your end should be like, but what He has determined as your destiny and course.

PRAYER: My God, I thank You for this Word. Thank You for making my course clear. I cannot misapprehend any corner because You have cut the edges for me and made the path straight. I walk according to the blue print that You have set for me and can never go off this great course. In Jesus’ name. Amen.,

The Essence Of The Voice

Apostle Grace Lubega

Zechariah 6:15(MSG): People will come from faraway places to pitch in and rebuild the Temple of GOD. This will confirm that GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies did, in fact, send me to you. All this follows as you put your minds to a life of responsive obedience to the voice of your GOD.

In our theme scripture, it is revealed that the temple of God was rebuilt after the people had set their minds to a life of responsive obedience to the voice of God.

You are the temple of God (1 Corinthians 6:19).

You grow and are built up in the things of the spirit as you continually respond to the voice of God.

God’s voice comes with purpose and direction and it is with this that you build everything about your life; your career, ministry, family, marriage—everything.

Cultivate a life of responding to God’s voice.

Sometimes it is the whispered convictions in your spirit; sometimes it is the tag of the Spirit checking your actions and stopping you from taking a certain course, responding to someone or speaking at a particular time.

Heed to these instructions.

As you heed to His voice, you are built up in Him.

FURTHER STUDY: 1 Corinthians 6:19, Isaiah 30:21

GOLDEN NUGGET:

You are the temple of God. You grow and are built up in the things of the spirit as you continually respond to the voice of God.

PRAYER: Father, I thank You so much for Your voice. It is more distinctive and clearer to me every day. I yield to its instructions and as I continue to obey, I am built up in faith, wisdom, power and glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Of His Plans For Us

Apostle Grace Lubega

Jeremiah 29:11(AMP); For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

Our theme scripture is one that has been quoted over the years in many Christian circles but today, I want to cast a different light in your spirit.

God knows the plans that He has for you, plans for welfare and peace, to give you hope and an expected end.

However, this scripture is often embraced with a passiveness which is contrary to the will of God.

To some Christians it is an excuse not to seek the face of God about the details of their lives. After all, he knows the plans He has for us.

When issues arise in their lives, their comfort is, “God knows the plans that He has for me….”

When something does not work out, they think, “God knows the plans He has for me…”

The scripture has been used as an excuse for indifference to the mind of God pertaining one’s life.

Child of God, there is more to it than that.

This knowledge is not supposed to be far from you.

He knows the plans He has for you, but do you know these plans?

He has a vision for your life but do you know this vision?

When He says “I know the plans that I have for you”, it is a call to deeper communion, that you may reason together with Him, that you may understand your life like He understands it, that you may see your course like He sees it, that you may know your story like He knows it.

Beloved saint, God does not expect you to stay in the dark about the plans that He has for you.

Make the choice to understand the course that He has set for you. Seek Him for His vision for your life. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: 2 Corinthians 3:2, Romans 8:29-30

GOLDEN NUGGET:

When He says “I know the plans that I have for you”, it is a call to deeper communion, that you may reason together with Him, that you may understand your life like He understands it, that you may see your course like He sees it, that you may know your story like He knows it.

PRAYER: My God, I thank You for this Word for today. I know the plans that You have for me. I see the course that You have set before me and have the vision for my life. I embrace this truth and see with deeper clarity the blue print that You have drawn for my destiny. I will never depart from this course because You have made my paths straight. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

In The Overflow

Apostle Grace Lubega

Psalms 23:5(KJV); …Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

It is one thing to be full of the Spirit of God but it is another to be in the overflow of the Spirit.

God has called us not only to be full but to live in the overflow. He is the God that anoints you not only to fullness but so your cup runs over.

When you are merely full, you may move in the sufficiency that applies to you as an individual; you increase in wealth; you live in divine health; your marriage and family are a success.

However, when your cup runs over, you cannot help but be a blessing to others.

In fact, such a one does not need to do much to bless. They can bless by the simplest words on their lips. The simple details of their lives will bless others.

This overflow is likened to the flow of the anointing from the head of the high priest Aaron, dripping down upon his beard and running all the way down to the hem of his priestly robes, (Psalms 133:2), that eventually everybody under the man’s mantle gets an impartation regardless of whether that man chooses to bless them or he does not.

God wants you to walk in this overflow but how much you are filled is a question of how you choose to yield to His Spirit and how humble you choose to be for Him to fill you.

The tenet of this humility is when a man knows that it doesn’t matter how much he has experienced the anointing, there is still more.

Beloved child of God, God wants to prove to you that even when you have drunk from Him, He still has more to give.

Allow Him to soak you in the overflow of His Person and His Spirit.

FURTHER STUDY: Ephesians 1:17 (AMPC), John 1:16 (AMPC), John 10:10 (AMP)

GOLDEN NUGGET:

How much you are filled by the anointing is a question of how much you choose to yield to God’s Spirit and how humble you choose to be for Him to fill you.

PRAYER: Dear God, I thank You because out of Your fullness [the superabundance of Your grace and truth] I have received grace upon grace, spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favour upon favour, increase upon increase, success upon success and peace upon peace. My cup runs over that I have no choice but to bless all those in my circumference of influence to the glory of Your name. Amen.

Sinking Sands

Apostle Grace Lubega

Psalms 62:10(KJV); Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them

God cautions us that when riches increase, do not set your heart on them.

It is interesting to know that the only reason why some people still come to church is because they do not have money.

The only reason why some people still serve God is because they don’t have jobs yet.

The day they get the job is the day they get too busy for God.

The day they land that great business deal is the day they stop to pray.

How sad!

If you ever receive anything that qualifies you as successful or as an achiever by the standards of this world, do not set your heart on it.

In fact, the very reason why you ought to seek God more is because He has added more blessings to your life.

Like the disciples, when you see the greatest catch of fish in your lifetime, consider it an opportunity to prove to the world that what is in God is greater than any riches in this life.

Beloved saint, wealth is coming your way and God has purposed to increase your greatness on every side but you ought to make the decision not to set your heart on these material things.

Always set your eyes and heart on Christ. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Deuteronomy 32:15, Psalms 52:7, Colossians 3:1-2

GOLDEN NUGGET:

If you ever receive anything that qualifies you as successful or as an achiever by the standards of this world, don’t set your heart on it. Always set your eyes and heart on Christ.

PRAYER: My God, I thank You for Your Word. I have the tenacity and ability to handle the multiplication of blessings in my life. I can never be set off the course of my life by riches and material things. I understand that they are a tool for the gospel. In this wisdom, I walk in the mastery of greatness. To the glory of Your name. Amen.