It Starts With You

Apostle Grace Lubega

Matthew 23:26(KJV); Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also

In social psychology, there is a principle called the fundamental attribution error. It is the tendency for people to think that their misbehavior is caused by other people or environmental factors while other people’s misbehavior is a result of those people’s personality issues.

For example, the person will bark at a friend because they are having a bad day but when they see the friend bark at another, it is because the friend has a personality problem.

That’s not true. Often times, circumstances only reveal who we are.

Take the example of anger.

Someone may claim that their spouse always provokes them to anger. Not so. You were already an angry man. The spouse only stirred up what was already in you.

This is why self-evaluation is particularly important.

You have to be able to acknowledge that what you are dealing with is about what is in you and not just something that someone brings upon you.

In humility, allow God to deal with you. He is interested in sorting you from the inside and not necessarily sorting what is outside. He wants to calm the storm within so that you can weather the storm outside.

His name be praised!

FURTHER STUDY: Philippians 2:13, Matthew 7:3-5

GOLDEN NUGGET:
God is interested in sorting you from the inside and not necessarily sorting what is outside. He wants to calm the storm within so that you can weather the storm outside.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for this Word. I receive it in humility. Deal with me God. Where I have played the blame game, I choose to shine this torch inward; teach me to live my life inside out because it is what is within that defines what is without. I yield to your instruction and to the life-changing power of your Spirit.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The God Of Mercy – 2

Apostle Grace Lubega 

John 6:37(AMP); All whom My Father gives (entrusts) to Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me I will most certainly not cast out [I will never, no never, reject one of them who comes to Me].

Often times, our theme scripture is used only in the context of people that are coming to salvation and giving their lives to Christ.

While this is true, there is more to it than that. It also applies to those of the household of faith. 

When a man makes a mistake and comes to the Lord in humility and repentance, God never rejects or casts them away.

If this is how God treats us, we also ought to extend the same treatment to fellow believers. 

There are Christians who are utterly intolerant of other people’s struggles and mistakes. 

I know a man of God who sent away a girl from the church because she got pregnant out of wedlock. He said he was teaching her. What kind of message does that send? That those who get pregnant but abort are more worthy? 

God does not cast away His own. 

He does not teach us by rejecting us. His arms are wide open to receive you regardless of your mistake. Fall into the arms of love and let Him deal with you.

His name be praised!

FURTHER STUDY: Hebrews 13:5, Hebrews 4:16

GOLDEN NUGGET:
God does not cast away His own. His arms are wide open to receive you regardless of your mistake. Fall into the arms of love and let Him deal with you.

PRAYER: Loving Father, I thank you for this truth. Thank you for your endless mercy that is available to me. I look to that mercy as my source of strength and my hope for tomorrow. I stand because of your mercy. That mercy is the lifter of my head; the comfort that I am your own for the rest of my days. 
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Weight Of Mercy

Apostle Grace Lubega 

Matthew 23:23(KJV) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

The Mercy of God is weighty.

This is very important because if you never understand the love and mercy of God in its fullness, you will never heal from the consequences of your mistakes; your weaknesses in the flesh will always come with destruction.

The end result is that the weakness will wield you to exhaustion, that you will not be able to come out of it. 

People who do not understand the mercy of God suffer from weaknesses that they cannot come out of and the consequences of these weaknesses follow them until the day they die.

When a man does not see this mercy for what it is, he will conclude that there are things about his life that will never change. He assumes that some mistakes are irreversible.

The Mercy of God disputes this. It reminds us that with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).

The Bible says God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23). This means that every day is a new opportunity from heaven to change your situation and circumstances.

Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Lamentations 3:23, Matthew 19:26

GOLDEN NUGGET:
If you never understand the love and mercy of God in its fullness, you will never heal from the consequences of your mistakes.

PRAYER: Loving Father, I thank you for this Word. I awaken every day to the assurance that I am loved and I am forgiven. I receive and embrace your endless mercies, to look past yesterday and set my eyes on what tomorrow brings. This day, I rejoice in this banner of love that is over me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Growth Pattern

Apostle Grace Lubega

Hebrews 5:12-14(KJV); For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

We grow in stages; we learn in phases. Until you understand this pattern child of God, the stage of your growth will be in conflict with the phase of your learning. 

Infancy is a stage of growth. When the Bible speaks of newborn babes, that is a stage in spiritual growth. 

There is a learning phase for such Christians. Phases are moments in which revelation is availed in accordance with the ability of the spirit of an individual to bear spiritual insights. 

The duration of these phases is determined by how yielded one is to the principles by which he ought to grow; how responsive he is to the Word and to the working of the Word of God in him. 

Stages and phases must flow together. If they do not, one’s ministry will not reflect his maturity. He may teach wealth yet struggle with poverty. He may teach marital stability yet fail to keep his family together. 

This was the nature of the church that Paul addressed in our theme scripture. Their learning phase as babes had passed but because they had refused to grow, Paul had to teach them again as those that had need of milk.

Growth will always be a choice. Learning phases are consistently available to progress us through the stages. Revelation is progressive and is increasing every day. Purpose to yield to the instructions of the moment lest you be left behind even as revelation progresses.

God’s name be praised!

FURTHER STUDY: 1 Peter 2:2, Hebrews 6:1

GOLDEN NUGGET:

We grow in stages; we learn in phases. Until you understand this pattern child of God, the stage of your growth will be in conflict with the phase of your learning. 

PRAYER: Loving Father, I thank you for this word. Lord, it is my desire to grow in the things of the spirit. I refuse to be stagnant; I refuse to miss my seasons. I refuse to let God-appointed moments for elevation pass me by. My heart is continually yielded to learn from you. I receive the Rhema word for my times and with it, I grow. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A Calling To The Nations – 2

Apostle Grace Lubega 

Deuteronomy 32:8(KJV); When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.

The spiritual realm has places for the sons of God.

Like there are physical boundaries over nations, there are spiritual demarcations that the Lord has distributed as an inheritance to His sons; His mature ones.

This is the inheritance over the world which is the portion of everyone who chooses to believe.

There are men who are fighting for influence in the physical world; they are making all sorts of compromises to gain power over territories without understanding this spiritual inheritance.

This influence is not for babes. 

What this means is that the circumference of your influence over places in the spiritual realm is dependent on how mature you are in the things of God and of the Spirit.

Spiritual responsibility for territories cannot be trusted to a child because in squandering an inheritance, they will destroy many.

Instead of fighting to be a voice in the physical world, strive for maturity because it is what amplifies your voice; what enlarges your boundaries and what establishes your authority over nations.

Glory to God!.

FURTHER STUDY: Psalms 2:8, Galatians 4:1

GOLDEN NUGGET:

The circumference of your influence over places in the spiritual realm is dependent on how mature you are in the things of God and of the Spirit.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for this truth. Thank you for the authority that you have given me in the realm of the spirit. Thank you because you mature me every day in understanding the divine responsibility for my life. Heaven is counting on me for the redemption of nations and I arise to this demand like a true son of God. I stir change, I fan the flames of revival and transform entire societies to the glory of your name, Amen.

Understanding God’s Judgments

Apostle Grace Lubega 

Psalms 147:19 (KJV); He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel

The judgments of God are weighty. 

It is important that one understands them because understanding them, brings a level of maturity to your spirit. 

But how does one understand the judgments of God?

Understanding His judgments requires reconciling one’s intellect with revelation. 

What may seem like a revelation to one could, in fact, be a demonstration of immaturity. 

Take this example. 

We have power over snakes and scorpions. This is a result of the judgments of God because their effect on you was judged as powerless. Does that mean one should go about seeking snake bites and looking for poison? 

The reconciliation of revelation and intellect means that you do not deliberately court danger.

Revelation without reconciliation with the intellect will lead to error and the birth of destructive dogmas and patterns in the body of Christ. 

FURTHER STUDY: Philippians 1:9, Psalms 105:7

GOLDEN NUGGET:
Understanding God’s judgments require reconciling one’s intellect with revelation. Revelation without reconciliation with the intellect will lead to error and the birth of destructive dogmas and patterns in the body of Christ. 

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for this Word. My love abounds more and more in all knowledge and judgment. The revelation at work in me is reconciled with my intellect and in this understanding, I never stumble the brethren; I minister truth in all that I say and do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

No Part With The Law

Apostle Grace Lubega 

Hebrews 8:13(AMP); When God speaks of a new [covenant or agreement], He makes the first one obsolete (out of use). And what is obsolete (out of use and annulled because of age) is ripe for disappearance and to be dispensed with altogether.

The Bible through our theme scripture reveals a fundamental truth about the place of the law in the New Testament dispensation.

Firstly, the Bible says that it is out of use. By out of use, God means to say that it has no relevance to the new creation because of what was done by Christ in the New Testament believer. 

The scriptures further reveal that IT IS TO BE DISPENSED WITH ALTOGETHER. It means that it has no place on our pulpits.

In Galatians 4:30, God uses the radical language of “casting it out.” He did not mean preach it moderately while balancing it with the grace. He meant, cast it out!

He did not mean preach it this Sunday and dilute its effect with the grace the following Sunday. He meant, cast it out. 

In the New Testament dispensation, the law will never define the relationship between God and the Born Again Christian.

Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Galatians 4:22-31, 1 Timothy 1:9

GOLDEN NUGGET:

In the New Testament dispensation, the law will never define the relationship between God and the Born Again Christian.

PRAYER: Loving Father, I thank you for this truth. I have embraced the grace in fullness and with utmost humility. It is the message on my lips and the reality of my life. The fruits of grace are abundant in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A Dust Free Revelation

Apostle Grace Lubega 

Hebrews 8:13(KJV); In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

The Bible reveals to us that because of the new covenant, the old covenant is decayed, waxes old, and is ready to vanish away. 

The Message Bible rendering of the same scripture is, “By coming up with a new plan, a new covenant between God and his people, God put the old plan on the shelf. And there it stays, gathering dust.”

The Law is on a shelf gathering dust. However, time and time again, some men and women of God pick it off the shelf, dust it, and present it to people as the newest revelation.

God does not want the church to feed on dust-coated revelations. He wants us to feed on dust-free revelation. This dust-free revelation is the Grace of God. 

Dust, when understood by the scriptures, represents the workings of the flesh. For man came from dust and to dust he returns (Genesis 3:19).

The dust-free revelation, (the grace) has no connection to the working of the flesh but has everything to do with the working of God in a man. 

While the law (the dust-coated revelation) leads to death because from the dust a man came and to dust he returns, the grace of God leads to everlasting life because His grace is eternal.

Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Genesis 3:19, Romans 5:17

GOLDEN NUGGET:

While the law (the dust-coated revelation) leads to death because from dust a man came and to dust he returns, the grace of God leads to everlasting life because His grace is eternal.

PRAYER: Loving Father, I thank you for this Word. I have embraced your grace as the truth of my life and reality. Every day, I am conscious that it is you who works in me to will and to do according to your good pleasure. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The God Of Mercy

Apostle Grace Lubega

Psalm 103:10(KJV); He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). This is a divine law.

There is nothing that men do in the flesh and in sin that does not deserve death. Sometimes, people downplay what amounts to sin or assume that certain sins deserve a lighter punishment.

This is not so, child of God. Even telling a lie is enough to kill you. The story of Ananias and Saphira is proof of this (Acts 5:1-11).

Aaron stood next to Moses as he struck a rock twice; he died for it (Numbers 20: 10-13). Uzzah touched the covenant box to keep it from falling, he died for it (2 Samuel 6:3-7).

Sin leads to death. However, when a man understands the mercy of God, that man will realise that God does not reward us according to our iniquities.

David could boldly make this statement because he found grace in the eyes of God. He killed a man and took his wife but his life was spared. It was a terrible thing to do but mercy prevailed over judgment.

God wants you to awaken to the consciousness of His mercy.

The Bible reveals that these mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).

With every rising of the sun, fresh mercies are released upon you to make you a better person; to strengthen you, and to teach you how to overcome. Embrace God’s mercy!

Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Lamentations 3:22-23, Ephesians 2:4-7

GOLDEN NUGGET:

With every rising of the sun, fresh mercies are released upon you to make you a better person; to strengthen you and to teach you how to overcome. Embrace God’s mercy!

PRAYER: Father I thank you for this day. Thank you because your mercies today are new; they are fresh and they are available for me. Day after day, it is these mercies that I see. I receive them as my portion in Christ and live my life in the understanding that your goodness towards me is not because I deserve it but because in all your dealings towards me, love leads the way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A Forgotten Past

Apostle Grace Lubega

Jeremiah 31:29(KJV); In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children’s teeth are set on edge

One day, I heard a Christian share a story of their child who was struggling with autism. The Christian explained that the reason why they gave birth to an autistic child was because they had aborted their first child. It was this person’s view that God was punishing them with an autistic child because of what they had done in the past.

This is not scripturally true and does not reflect the mind of God toward us. Infact, it is difficult for such a Christian to believe for the healing of their child because their mind is against the truth.

If this is how God deals with us, the question is, where is mercy and where is grace? 

What did the child do to deserve such pain and suffering? Why would the child pay the price for what the parent did?

No, God is just.

In our theme scripture, God reveals His mind to us. He says that it shall no longer be said that the fathers have eaten sour grapes and thus, the children’s teeth are set on edge.

Every New Testament believer must understand that God does not visit the mistakes of the parent on the children. 

No!

Never look at your life and feel like it is the result of your parents’ mistakes. Their past failures are not the drivers of your destiny.

Regardless of what they did, grace, mercy and favour are available for you.

Get your eyes away from the rear view mirror of your family history and set them on God who loads you with benefits every day. 

Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Ezekiel 18:2-3; Jeremiah 31:30-34

GOLDEN NUGGET:

Never look at your life and feel like it is the result of your parents’ mistakes. Their past failures are not the drivers of your destiny.

PRAYER: Loving Father, I thank you for this truth. Thank you for grace and mercy that are available to me every day. I look at my life through the lens of what Christ did and not any one’s mistakes. The past does not define me. History does not determine my destiny. You alone determine my future because you are greater than history. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Beyond A Purged Conscience – 2

Apostle Grace Lubega

Hebrews 9:8-10(KJV); The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

A believer who relates with God only on the basis of a purged conscience, and not beyond, has not matured in the understanding of God.

Such a relationship is incomplete and is not a full and proper representation of how God deals with His children. 

A Christian stuck at this point is as Ephraim. The Bible says of him, “The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hid. The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he is an unwise son; for he should not stay long in the place of the breaking forth of children”( Hosea 13:12-13).

Like Ephraim, a Christian who only relates with God on the basis of a purged conscience tarries at the place of the breaking forth of children. 

This means that there are manifestations he cannot see in his life because his dealing with God is from a shallow and not a deeper place. 

There are answers and ideas he cannot bring forth; he wonders endlessly why the reality of his life does not reflect the potential of his spirit; he is pregnant with vision but is way past the time of giving birth.

Living beyond a purged conscience to understand God more deeply completes the pattern of maturity. It defines deeper liberties in God and the manifestation of greater realities of the spirit life.

FURTHER STUDY: Hosea 13:12-13, Isaiah 1:18

GOLDEN NUGGET:
Living beyond a purged conscience to understand God more deeply completes the pattern of maturity. It defines deeper liberties in God and the manifestation of greater realities of the spirit life.

PRAYER: Loving Father, I thank you for this wisdom. My fellowship and communion with you is elevated beyond the place of a purged conscience to knowing you more. As I walk in this understanding, I see manifestation of truth and spiritual realities in every area of my life. I increase in everything that I do because of this understanding. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Beyond A Purged Conscience – 1

Apostle Grace Lubega

Hebrews 9:8-10(KJV); The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

A purged conscience gives a man the comfort that his sins have been forgiven. However, it does not deliver the man from the dictates of the flesh and of his carnal or sensual pleasures.

A person with a purged conscience will have the blessed assurance of forgiveness but this will not stop them from doing what they want in their flesh until such a time as when their conscience is heavy and thus, they seek the presence of God again to be relieved from the burdens of guilt.

This is the Christian who comes to God and confesses his sins but does not repent in the true definition of repentance.

He will tell God, “I will never do this again… I promise this is the last time…”

That same person leaves the presence of God with the comfort of forgiveness but this is short-lived because he is not alive to the nature in Him that does not sin. It is inevitable that He will commit that sin again and again and again.

That is not the relationship that a New Testament believer has with God. God has delivered you totally; He went beyond purging your conscience to recreating your spirit in Christ; He gave you a new identity and nature that is alien to sin and does not understand it’s language.

As such, your liberty in Christ is not limited to the clearness of your conscience before God. It also manifests in every area of your life.

Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Romans 6:1-6(MSG), 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

GOLDEN NUGGET:
God has delivered you totally; He went beyond purging your conscience to recreating your spirit in Christ; He gave you a new identity and nature that is alien to sin and does not understand it’s language.

PRAYER: Loving Father, I thank you for this Word. Thank you for the ministry of grace and mercy that has cast my sins as far as the East is from the West; that has erased my past and made all things new; that has made everything about me of God. I rejoice in this liberty and live my life in this consciousness.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.