The God Before Us

Apostle Grace Lubega

Isaiah 45:2(KJV); I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron

In all that we do, our God goes before us.

Look at the experience of Abraham in Genesis 24 when he needed to choose a wife for his son Isaac. 

He told his servant, ‘The Lord God of heaven, which took me from my father’s house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence.’ (Genesis 24:7).

God sent an angel before the servant, tasked with doing everything possible to ensure that the right wife was chosen for Isaac.

In Exodus 23:20-21, the Lord tells the children of Israel, ‘Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.’

God deliberately goes ahead of us in all things to make the atmosphere right for the things we desire to accomplish, to ensure that the people we need are available, and to set the stage for all our plans to work perfectly.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God (Romans 8:14). Before you get to your work place, He was there before you. Before you enter into that examination room, He is there before you. Before you get into that interview room, He is there, setting the pace for your excellence.

You are not alone, child of God! Live life in the blessed assurance that before you get into any place, God was there and made every condition favourable for your success.

Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Romans 8:14, Exodus 23:20-21

GOLDEN NUGGET:

God deliberately goes ahead of us in all things to make the atmosphere right for the things we desire to accomplish, to ensure that the people we need are available, and to set the stage for all our plans to work perfectly.

PRAYER: Loving Father, I thank you for this knowledge. What a comfort! Nothing can intimidate me because I know that you go before me in all things. How can I fail, when the Lord of heaven and earth has gone ahead of me? I approach life with boldness because I know that my God is for me and is with me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Privileges Of A Believer: The Earnest Of The Spirit

Apostle Grace Lubega

 2 Corinthians 1:20‭-‬22 (KJV); For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.  Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

The Greek word for ‘earnest’ in our theme scripture is ‘arrhabōn’ which is translated to mean a security deposit used as a guarantee for  the fulfilment of a promise. 

It is the concept used in trade when a buyer deposits a particular amount of money to convince a seller that he is serious about a purchase. 

The Spirit of God was given to us as a guarantee that every promise made to us by God shall be fulfilled. 

That is how far God has gone to eliminate any doubt from our hearts. It is the extent of his persuasion to allow us operate in the liberties of faith. 

The Spirit of God is ever present. There is no second, minute or hour of the day that He is absent from you.

This means that in every second, minute or hour of the day, you are assured that what God said He will do, what He promised, He will perform!

This has nothing to do with whether the pain has left your body to confirm that you are healed. He says, think only of the fact that His Spirit is in you, that is enough confirmation that healing is yours. 

It has nothing to do with whether your business deal came through, whether you got that job to confirm that He has made you rich. Think only of the fact that His Spirit is in you. 

That is all the confirmation you need.

Praise the LORD!

FURTHER STUDY: Ephesians 1:13-14, 2 Corinthians 5:5

GOLDEN NUGGET:

The Spirit of God is ever present. There is no second, minute or hour of the day that He is absent from you. This means that in every second, minute or hour of the day, you are assured that what God said He will do, what He promised, He will perform! 

PRAYER: My Lord, I rejoice at your Word! I thank you for the love gift of the Holy Spirit; the fulfillment of your promises in my life which are yes and amen. My life is an overload of blessings and I am a blessing to others. I am persuaded of greater things to come and my end is full of glory. In Jesus name, amen.

The Confidence Of The Mature

Apostle Grace Lubega

2 Timothy 2:15(KJV); Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The essence of maturity is that conviction that you shall not be put to shame touching your labours in the gospel.

Every man who is approved of God can never be ashamed because the Spirit of God validates his actions and decisions.

If a mature Christian prays for the presence of God in a meeting, God will turn up even before the meeting starts because He wants to vindicate His child.

Maturity is what brings answers even before a man prays because God is eager to perform on his behalf.

The work of a mature man cannot mock him because before God approves of him, he teaches him to count the cost of every work.

When such a one declares that the Spirit of God is going to move mightily in a place, it moves.

When he says the sick shall be healed, all manners of sickness obeys.

When he says he is going upward, his progress is evident to all because God cannot allow him to suffer the shame of decline or regression.

That is your portion and story, child of God.

FURTHER STUDY: 1 Timothy 4:15, Ephesians 3:20

GOLDEN NUGGET:

The essence of maturity is that conviction that you shall not be put to shame touching your labours in the gospel.

PRAYER: My Lord, I thank you for this Word. I know that you are working in me every day, building my spirit and strengthening me in the inner man. You are shaping and moulding me for greatness. I eagerly receive every instruction that grows me. I live in the confidence that when I speak, I establish and when I purpose, I fulfil because you can never allow me to be ashamed. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

The Revelation Of Christ

Apostle Grace Lubega

Ephesians 1:17(KJV); That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

The gospel is a revelation.

If you do not receive it as a revelation, you will do so with human understanding.
Receiving the gospel with human understanding means that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will always be viewed as merely a good man who walked the surface of the earth. You will never understand the Spirit of Christ.

This is the reason why some regard the life of Jesus as a good story and the Lord as an outstanding moral and charismatic character whose virtues are to be emulated.

He loved children, so we should love children. He despised greed so we should also despise greed. There is more to Him than that!

It is a good thing to understand the ministry of the Christ in the flesh but there is a reason why He told His disciples that it was expedient for Him to return to the father.

In 2 Corinthians 5:16, the Bible says, ‘Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.’

Christ in the flesh is no more. Now, we regard the Spirit of Christ and His Spirit can only be known through revelation because revelation is the eyes of the Spirit.

In revelation, we understand the riches of His glory. In revelation, we understand His mighty power that works in us to do things beyond human comprehension.

In revelation, we understand our ministry through Him in the heavenly places.

Glory to God!

FURTHER STUDY: 2 Corinthians 5:16, Ephesians 1:18

GOLDEN NUGGET:

Christ in the flesh is no more. Now, we regard the Spirit of Christ and His Spirit can only be known through revelation because revelation is the eyes of the Spirit.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank you for this Word. I receive it in wisdom and understanding.  I understand that I am a continuation of the life of Christ in the flesh. My eyes are opened to the realities of the Christ in the Spirit. These realities launch me into a victorious life, to do that which no eye has seen, no ear has heard and has not entered into the hearts of men. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
 

The Privileges Of A Believer: Sealed

Apostle Grace Lubega

2 Corinthians 1:‬21-22 (KJV); Now He which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;  Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.‬‬‬‬

A seal is usually used as a mark of confirmation and authenticity. As a believer, God has confirmed you as His own with the seal of His Spirit.

By this, He placed a high value upon you as His beloved possession. It is a testimony to the fact that you are a true and genuine original and not a cheap copy of a great original. You are the real deal, fearfully and wonderfully made.

The seal of His spirit upon you is the guarantee that you cannot be lost. That is why our LORD Jesus boldly said, ‘My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand’ (John 10:29). 

His seal is a mark of distinction that sets you apart from the common crowd. By that seal, you have a new name which no man knows except he that receives it, (Revelation  2:17).

Never think any less of yourself. You carry the seal of God.

Live your life in the boldness of one who is different, unique, peculiar and firmly held in the bold grip of the Father.

Glory to God! 

FURTHER STUDY: Ephesians 1:13 (NIV),  John 6:27

GOLDEN NUGGET:
By His seal, God placed a high value upon you as His beloved possession. It is a testimony to the fact that you are a true and genuine original and not a cheap copy of a great original. You are the real deal, fearfully and wonderfully made.

PRAYER: Loving Father, I thank you for your seal of ownership on me. My life is not my own. Because of your unconditional love and generous grace towards me, my life is marked for greatness. I stand out in my family, among my peers, and in my generation. In Jesus’ mighty name, amen.

The Privileges Of A Believer : The Anointing

Apostle Grace Lubega

2 Corinthians 1:‬21-22 (KJV); Now He which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.‬‬‬‬

The anointing is a privilege of every believer.

The Greek Word for anointed in our theme scripture is ‘chrio’ which is translated to mean “consecration”; as was done to Jesus for the Messianic office, furnishing him with the necessary powers for its administration.’

What you ought to understand as a child of God is that whatsoever was bestowed on Christ was also bestowed upon you by virtue of the anointing.

Christ was the anointed one of God, you too are the anointed one of God. In Psalms 105:15, God calls you His anointed.

Christ was anointed as king and high priest, the believer was also anointed as a priest and king unto God (Revelation 1:6).

Christ was so heavily anointed by God that He went about doing good everywhere He went. Likewise, God anointed the believer to walk in good works (Ephesians 2:10).

What Christ accomplished under the anointing, you too can do and so much more.

What a truth!

This is what makes you bold in the face of adversity, you are anointed!

This is what makes you different from any man in this world, you are anointed!

Live life in the confidence that the oil of heaven flows from the crown of your head to the soles of your feet, causing your countenance to shine, drawing gentiles to your light and evil to tremble in your presence .

FURTHER STUDY: 1 John 2:27 (AMP), 1 Peter 2:9

GOLDEN NUGGET:
Whatsoever was bestowed on Christ was also bestowed upon you by virtue of the anointing. What Christ accomplished under the anointing, you too can do and so much more.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you. I affirm that I am the anointed of God. He has given me the extraordinary influences of His Spirit. I have an unction from the Holy one; I know and preach the truth to those in my world, this anointing that I received preserves me.I fulfil my God-given assignment and purpose. To the glory of your name, Amen.

To Remember Your Place

Apostle Grace Lubega

Ephesians 2:6(KJV); And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Often times, when men speak of falling, it is in the context of sin or departing from the faith.
There is more to it than that, child of God.

God has clearly demarcated the place and position of the believer in the realm of the spirit.

To fall is when one forgets that he is seated in Christ, far above all principalities and powers and moans about being ‘under’ demonic attack.

To fall is when one confesses being sick when the Bible says that in Zion, none shall say I am sick. (Isaiah 33:24).

To fall is when one gets embroiled in a battle for a piece of land and forgets the God who said, ‘Ask me of nations.’ (Psalms 2:8).

To fall is when one struggles endlessly with finances and forgets the God who calls us to buy without money (Isaiah 55:1).

A righteous man falls seven times and seven times he rises up again (Proverbs 24:16). He rises on the wings of the Word.

Every time you respond to circumstances with the Word of God, it is a remembrance of your place in God. The Word of God keeps us in the boundaries of our habitation.

Glory to God!

FURTHER STUDY: Acts 17:26, Proverbs 24:16

GOLDEN NUGGET:

Every time you respond to circumstances with the Word of God, it is a remembrance of your place in God. The Word of God keeps us in the boundaries of our habitation.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you because I know who I am, what I have and who is in me. I live life in the confidence that I am seated in Christ far above all principalities and powers. I am constantly conscious of where I am in you. This is my seat of victory. It is from this place that I view all things in life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

For Your Profit

Apostle Grace Lubega

1 Corinthians 12:7(KJV); But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

The anointing upon your life firstly must benefit you before it benefits anyone else. You are the primary beneficiary of every grace, gift and anointing that God has bestowed upon you.

While I was growing up, it was often said that the anointing that you receive is for the world and not necessarily for you. Thus, it was okay for one to heal the sick but struggle with disease. It was justifiable for one to cast out demons yet be tormented by them.

That is not godly and neither is it the teaching of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. The primary reason for this is because the graces upon our lives are not only so they can be demonstrated but they are also for inspiration.

If what you share with the world cannot work for you, how can you inspire?

In Job 32:8, the Bible says, ‘But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.’

Inspiration is in the very nature of God because it provokes desire in the spirits of men for divine things. It is inspiration that gives understanding.

Reject any testimony of a grace that works through you and not for you. Claim its benefits for you too.

God’s name be praised!

FURTHER STUDY: Job 32:8, Philippians 2:13

GOLDEN NUGGET:

Inspiration is in the very nature of God because it provokes desire in the spirits of men for divine things. It is inspiration that gives understanding.

PRAYER: My God, I thank you for what you have placed in me and for the graces operating in my life. They bear fruit in me which is evident to all. I demonstrate through my life the very message that I teach. My life is a pattern and inspires many for your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Who Is Your Teacher – 2?

Apostle Grace Lubega

Ephesians 2:6(KJV); And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

God expects you to know more about heavenly things than earthly things.

It is often said that the things of the world teach us the heavenly things. However, this statement disregards the fact that you are seated with Christ in heavenly places.

How then do the things of the earth teach a man whose dwelling is in heaven?

The Bible says in Matthew 16:19 AMP, ‘…and whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth will have [already] been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [permit, declare lawful] on earth will have [already] been loosed in heaven.’

What is bound on earth is ALREADY bound in heaven. What is loosed on earth is ALREADY loosed in heaven.

A man who dwells in heaven and is taught by the things of the earth only compares what is already established in heaven to what he finds on the earth and if what is on the earth does not resonate with what he found in the heavens, he understands that what is on the earth has a problem. That is how he is taught.

That is what gives him the wisdom to get into the spiritual realm to fix what is on the earth but does not align with what he saw in the spirit.

This was the gist of Christ’s words in prayer, ‘your will be done on earth as it is in heaven’ (Matthew 6:10).
God’s will is already settled in heaven. We observe what is in heaven and do the same on the earth.

The greater your acquaintance with heavenly things, the greater the grace to fix things on the earth because what is in heaven defines the order of what ought to be on the earth.

FURTHER STUDY: Matthew 6:10, Matthew 16:19

GOLDEN NUGGET:

The greater your acquaintance with heavenly things, the greater the grace to fix things on the earth because what is in heaven defines the order of what ought to be on the earth.

PRAYER: Loving Father, thank you for this knowledge. What a blessed assurance that my dwelling is in heaven. It is my world and I am intimately acquainted with its streets and bulwarks. It is from there that I draw my lessons and paint my reality on the earth. It is from those streets that I draw wisdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Liberties Of Answered Prayer – 1

Apostle Grace Lubega

1 John 5:14-15 (KJV); And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

In prayer, we have open and unlimited access to God. He tells us, ‘if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us…’

What a liberty! This was the same liberty Christ had. He said, ‘I know that you always hear me’(John 11:42).

The question that every believer must ask himself or herself is, ‘Am I heard?’
Simply because your lips are praying does not mean that your spirit is praying.

In 1 Corinthians 14:10-11, the Bible says, ‘There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.’

Do you know and understand the language of prayer? A Christian who does not understand the language of prayer is barbaric to the spirit realm. He may speak but is not heard.

The language of prayer is not only about WHAT you ask but HOW you ask. It is not only about knowing the will of the father pertaining to an issue but knowing the will of the father on HOW to receive an answer to that issue.

Whatsoever you ask in His name, you shall receive. But HOW you ask for whatsoever is what matters.

Knowing how to pray creates freedom in prayer (John 14:13-14). The Word of God is what primarily shapes our language in prayer.

Learn to pray the Word. This is the beginning of mastering the hows of prayer.

FURTHER STUDY: 1 Corinthians 14:10, John 14:13-14

GOLDEN NUGGET:

The language of prayer is not only about WHAT you ask but HOW you ask. It is not only about knowing the will of the father pertaining to an issue but knowing the will of the father on HOW to receive an answer to that issue.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for this truth. What a blessed assurance to know that you always hear me. I understand the language of prayer and my spirit is exercised in its hows. I lift up my voice in thanksgiving for what you have done and always do. Results are my portion and story. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Prayers Of The Saints – 2

Apostle Grace Lubega

Colossians 4:12(KJV); Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

God is a God of numbers. He has hidden precious mysteries of His kingdom in biblical numerology.

For example our theme scripture and its numbering is by design. The number four represents the earth.
The number twelve is used typically to represent perfection or authority.

This means that divine perfection in the earthly realm is achieved through fervent prayer in the spirit. That was Epaphras’ ministry.

Some Christians understand only the labours of ushering, ministering in the choir or working in church administration but there is such a thing as the labour of prayer.

Child of God, it does not matter how deeply you preach, you will never preach deeper if you do not pray.

It does not matter how many times you have read the Bible, if you do not commune with the Holy Spirit, it will never shed off.

Christ is revealed to those who have understood the places of prayer.

When a man or woman of prayer stands before you, the intensity of their closet will always be obvious. It will be visible in the wisdom of their speech, the authority of their voice and the fruit of all their labours in the gospel.

Make prayer your ministry.

FURTHER STUDY: Luke 18:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:17

GOLDEN NUGGET:

Divine perfection in the earthly realm is achieved through fervent prayer in the spirit.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for this great instruction. The spirit of grace and supplication is working in me more than ever before. Regardless of where I am, my spirit is ever ready to know when you move me to pray. I am fervent in prayer and do so in understanding because I have the mind of Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Prayers Of The Saints – 1

Apostle Grace Lubega

Revelation 5:5-8(KJV); And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

There are things and places in the spirit that God cannot open unless saints pray. Prayer is necessary on the earthly plane for the opening of heavenly seals.

The heavenly seals give access to realms of knowledge that if there is any need, purpose, desire and ministry that the heavens intend to fulfil on the earth, the man with this kind of access will always be the first to know.

If God wants to revive a nation, this individual will know how God wants to revive that nation and which individuals He wants to use.

His spirit is positioned to receive divine inspiration and conviction and he can never be behind in the times and seasons of eternity.

Great moves of the Spirit begin by prayer and by men who know how to pray.

The Lord wants to break a seal in our generation but it is important that we carry prayer as a labour and not a duty.

God is raising men that will break down before Him in prayer for their generation and for their nations. He asks the ultimate question, ‘Who will I send?’

Purpose to be available. Lay your heart on the altar of sacrifice in readiness to be used by God.

His name be praised!

FURTHER STUDY: Ephesians 6:18, Zechariah 12:10

GOLDEN NUGGET:

The Lord wants to break a seal in our generation but it is important that we carry prayer as a labour and not a duty. God is raising men that will break down before Him in prayer for their generation and for their nations.

PRAYER: My Lord, I thank you for what you are doing in these times. Thank you for the grace and Spirit of prayer that you have given unto me. I pray like never before. You anoint me with the order, incense and jars of prayer. I do not need a man to tell me to pray. You cause me to pray during the day and during the night. The spirit of intercession rests upon me greatly. I intercede for nations, for people and for institutions. For every heavenly seal that is broken, I am the first to know. You instruct me in all kinds of prayer. I receive new tongues. The Russian will hear me, the Japenese will hear me, men from all nations will hear me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.