The Audacity Of The Circumcised

Apostle Grace Lubega

1 Samuel 17:25-26(KJV); And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? Surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father’s house free in Israel. And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

The scriptures give us an account of how Goliath had spent days mocking Israel.

He had continuously and boldly declared, “I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.”(1 Samuel 17:10).

As a result of his continuous taunts, Saul and the whole of Israel were literally “shaking in their boots”(1 Samuel 17:11).

Here, Goliath is an example of men in this world who have challenged children of the covenant and demanded that they prove themselves.

I have heard men say, “If you are Born Again, I dare you to do this and we will see who has more power.”

Beloved child of God, you are not supposed to be shaken in the face of such men like Israel did. No!

You must have the boldness of David. He called Goliath an “uncircumcised Philistine” and went out to fight him with the boldness of the “CIRCUMCISED.”

The uncircumcised here referred to one who did not have a covenant with God while the circumcised had a covenant with God (Genesis 17:11-13).

One day, witches and wizards all over the world decided to hold their first international conference in Benin. The chief host boldly said, “Not even God can stop it. We know the power we carry.”

When Archbishop Benson Idahosa heard this, he said, “‘Yes he is correct…That is why I am here, God does not need to waste his time considering matters as trivial as stopping the conference of witches’.

As a result of the Archbishop’s audacity, the conference was cancelled!

Such boldness!

Like David, you should be able to boldy say, “Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.”(1 Samuel 17:45).

When they try to unleash fire, unleash hotter fire. If they try to demonstrate power, like Elijah, lock any door of access that allows them to call down fire.

Have the boldness of the CIRCUMCISED. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Matthew 19:26, Romans 8:31

GOLDEN NUGGET:

Have the boldness of the CIRCUMCISED. When they (the uncircumcised) try to unleash fire, unleash hotter fire. If they try to demonstrate power, like Elijah, lock any door of access that allows them to call down fire.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for this Word. Thank you because I am a victor, above and not beneath and more than a conqueror through Christ who strengthens me. I am a child of the covenant, a demonstrator of the Spirit and power of God. I walk in this boldness every day. I am not intimidated by those of the false light. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Our Lives On The Altar

Apostle Grace Lubega

Psalms 5:3 (MSG); Every morning you’ll hear me at it again. Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar and watch for fire to descend.

In our theme scripture the Psalmist prays to God and says, “Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar and watch for fire to descend.”

What a prayer!

It was his desire that God consume every area of his life entirely; so daily, he laid the pieces of his life on God’s altar and watched for the fire to descend.

Some people are on the altar but not ALL the pieces of their lives have been laid out.

Others are on the altar only to convince themselves that they are yielded to God but they are not ready for the fire.

God does not want just bits of the sacrifice, He wants the whole of you; your thoughts, heart, body, finances, marriage, job, business, everything!

Beloved saint, if you desire to see certain places in God, you must die at His altar. The Fire of His Spirit must consume every area of your life until there is nothing left but the testimony that you are all of Him.

Praise Him!

FURTHER STUDY: Luke 17:33, John 3:30

GOLDEN NUGGET:

Beloved saint, if you desire to see certain places in God, you must die at His altar. The Fire of His Spirit must consume every area of your life until there is nothing left but the testimony that you are all of Him.

PRAYER: My loving father, I thank you for this Word. My Lord I am most grateful for your work in me. I decrease that you may increase.
I yield my heart, body and soul to the fires of the Spirit. You consume me until I am no more and you are; that the testimony of my life is truly that I am dead and yet I live. In Jesus name Amen.

The Good Fight Of Faith

Apostle Grace Lubega

1 Timothy 6:12 (KJV); Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Faith is our true fight, meaning that in any circumstance, we always FIGHT TO BELIEVE.

The Greek Word for good in our theme scripture is kalos which is translated to mean, “beautiful to look at, admirable, commendable.”

God wants you to fight a fight that is beautiful to look at!

Don’t go through issues grumbling about how unlucky you are! That is not a commendable fight!

Don’t hear bad news and lament about how dead you are. That is not an admirable fight.

The Bible has examples of how to fight the good fight.

When Paul and Silas were thrown in jail, they simply worshipped God
(Acts 16:25-29). That is an admirable fight.

When the children of Moab and Ammon waged war against Jehoshaphat, he and the children of Israel sang praises to God
(2 Chronicles 20).

When the Shunamite woman was asked if all was well with her son, she declared, “It is well” despite the fact that the child was dead
(2 Kings 4:26).

The good fight is of the man who hears the doctor’s negative report and laughs.

The good fight is of the man who is attacked by his enemies and dances in victory.

The good fight is of the woman whose child is at the brink of death but she lifts her hands in worship to the God of all truth.

You fight beautifully because your victory in Christ is already assured. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: 2 Chronicles 20, 2 Kings 4:26

GOLDEN NUGGET:

The good fight is of the man who hears the doctor’s negative report and laughs. The good fight is of the man who is attacked by his enemies and dances in victory. The good fight is of the woman whose child is at the brink of death but she lifts her hands in worship to the God of all truth.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for this Word. What a blessed assurance to know that I have constant victory in you. I am above all powers and principalities and have overcome this world. I function from the eternal plane and understand that I can never fail. In this truth, I rejoice in all situations. I look to the eternal weight of glory that follows any light afflictions.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Set Your Eyes On The Eternal

Apostle Grace Lubega

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (KJV); For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Salvation is very easy, you simply ought to make up your mind to enjoy it.

The Bible says that with Joy we draw from the wells of salvation (Isaiah 12:3). It means that it is possible to be happy all the days of your life.

This does not mean that bad reports will not come your way, they will. Some days you may be pressed against the wall and feel overwhelmed but God has showed us how to remain victors through it all.

The Bible says, “We look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen”

Instead of looking at your empty wallet, look at your glorious riches in Christ.

Instead of looking at your diseased body, look at the incorruptible life of God in you.

Instead of listening to everything that declares that you have failed, look at Christ who has made you an eternal excellence and always causes you to triumph.

Choose!

Evil days may come, but sail through them as one who has an understanding of eternal things. There ought to be a difference between how you respond to trouble and how a non-believer responds to trouble.

Enjoy your journey of break through.

Enjoy your journey of overcoming that sickness.

Enjoy your journey of growing above your weaknesses!

God be praised!

FURTHER STUDY: Jonah 2:8, Colossians 3:2

GOLDEN NUGGET:
We look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen. Instead of looking at your empty wallet, look at your glorious riches in Christ. Instead of looking at the diseased body, look at the incorruptible life of God in you. Instead of listening to everything that declares that you have failed, look at Christ who has made you an eternal excellence and always causes you to triumph.

PRAYER: My loving father, I thank you for this wonderful knowledge. I live and walk with spiritual sight and not physical carnal sight. My eyes are set on you my Lord and to the things that you have done to assure my victory. I refuse to regard any negative circumstances but to look to you the author and finisher of my faith. I shall never fail, I prevail in all things. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Heart Of The Minister

Apostle Grace Lubega

2 Corinthians 12:14 (AMP); Now for the third time I am ready to come to [visit] you. And I will not burden you [financially], for it is not your [money] that I want but you; for children are not duty bound to lay up store for their parents, but parents for their children.

The heart of every minister ought to beat for the lives of men.

It should never be about what you can receive from them but what God must do in their lives through you.

Look at Paul, a man who understood the patterns of the gospel and of authentic ministry; In our theme scripture, he says, “I will not burden you financially, for it is not your money that I want but you.”

The King James Version of this scripture says, “I seek not yours but you.”

What a heart!

This is why he worked with his own hands because his eyes were never set on what the people could give him (Acts 20:34).

It is for this very reason that in the subsequent verse he says, “But I will most gladly spend [myself] and be utterly spent for your souls”(2 Corinthians 12:15).

The heart of the minister understands that his true reward is men.

Ministry is about the lives of men and the satisfaction of every minister ought to be that they do their part in what God purposes for the lives of those to whom they minister.

FURTHER STUDY: 1 Corinthians 9:2, Phillipians 1:23-24

GOLDEN NUGGET:

The heart of the minister understands that his true reward is men.

PRAYER: My loving father, I thank you for the great privilege of ministry. What an honour to serve the living God! What an opportunity to Labour in the greatest of all causes, to stand at the centre of divine will in drawing men to the kingdom. Lord, thank you! I know that a life well lived can only be after this pattern and I walk in this understanding every day of my life. To the glory of your name. Amen

Quiet From The Fear Of Evil

Apostle Grace Lubega

Proverbs 1:33(KJV); But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

When you learn to truly listen to God, you become quiet from the fear of evil.

Every time someone narrates their problems, worries or fears, it is because that person does not really hear God.

Job had this problem.
He says in Job 3:25-26; “For the thing which I greatly fear comes upon me, and that of which I am afraid befalls me. I was not or am not at ease, nor had I or have I rest, nor was I or am I quiet, yet trouble came and still comes [upon me].”

He was never at ease or at rest; he constantly thought and spoke about his fears.

This is why, in his final confrontation with God, the Lord asks him, “Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge?”(Job 38:2).
The Lord also told him to listen to Him (Job 42:4).

Job was listening to everything else except God.

The voice of God quietens our spirits from any form of anxiety.

If you ever find yourself beset by circumstances, purpose to listen to the voice of God. It is the calm in the midst of the storm.
Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Hebrews 3:15, Job 42:4

GOLDEN NUGGET:
If you ever find yourself beset by circumstances, purpose to listen to the voice of God. It is the calm in the midst of the storm. When you learn to truly listen to God, you become quiet from the fear of evil.

PRAYER: My father, I thank you for who you are to me. Your voice is precious and priceless. This day I heed to it because it is what sweeps fears away. I refuse to be anxious, I hear the God of heaven and earth who speaks blessed assurance to my heart all the days of my life.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Voice Of Christ’s Blood

Apostle Grace Lubega

Hebrews 12:24 (KJV); And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

The blood of Abel speaks vengeance. It speaks retribution for an evil act.

On the other hand, the blood of Jesus speaks forgiveness, love and reconciliation.

That is why as Christians, we ought not to be vengeful. We ought to understand the blood that purchased our eternal salvation.

It is not in our nature to revenge, to revile when we are reviled or to fight back when we are fought.

Never have the mentality, “I will get back at you.” I have seen some Christians go on radio, television and social media to revenge against fellow Christians. That is not the Spirit of Christ!

Child of God, understand that it is very expensive to keep anger; if you do, you will die very easily.

People might hurt you terribly that you feel it is impossible to forgive them, but God still insists that you do.

For the sake of your health, your wealth and your soul, don’t keep anger in your spirit.

Forgive and let go.

FURTHER STUDY: Ephesians 4:26, Romans 5:5

GOLDEN NUGGET:

The blood of Jesus speaks forgiveness, love and reconciliation. It is not in our nature to revenge, to revile when we are reviled or to fight back when we are fought.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for this Word. You my Lord are my comfort, consolation and my balm. Of the many things you could have been, Lord you chose to be love.
I am begotten in that very nature and live by its pattern every day.
I understand the voice of the blood of Christ and this same voice echoes in every thing I do; to forgive, to turn the other cheek and to give my life to love men because you did.
By this, the world knows that I am truly yours. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Of The Responsibility Of Intercession

Apostle Grace Lubega

1 Timothy 2:1(KJV); I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

There is no such thing as a calling to be an intercessor or the office of an intercessor.

There are only people who are gifted with more grace in prayer.

Intercession is the responsibility of EVERY Christian.

Our theme scripture says that intercession is to be made “for all.” The language of the scripture does not limit this responsibility to a specific group of people.

You ought to pray for your leaders, your boss, your ministry, your family among others. Some people are so engrossed with their personal needs; it is all they ask for in prayer. They leave the responsibility of prayer for all men to “prayer warriors” and “intercessors.”

No, that is a lack of understanding of the responsibility of prayer.

It is the mandate of every Christian to pray for more than just what they need but for the nation, the body of Christ, fellow believers and even colleagues at the work place.

Purpose to live a life beyond your own needs; pray for the ministers of the gospel, pray for the government and pray for your supervisors at work. Learn to carry people, institutions and even nations in prayer.
That is part of spiritual maturity.

FURTHER STUDY: 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Matthew 6:6

GOLDEN NUGGET:
Purpose to live a life beyond your own needs; pray for the ministers of the gospel, pray for the government and pray for your supervisors at work. Learn to carry people, institutions and even nations in prayer. That is part of spiritual maturity.

PRAYER: My Lord, I thank you for this great wisdom. I know that you are the God who answers prayer, for the confidence that I have is that when I pray you hear me and because you hear me, I have the petitions that I ask of you.
This day, I choose to pray with the understanding that I have a responsibility over my nation, in the body of Christ and every place that you have positioned me. In this wisdom and understanding, I change my world, to the glory of your name. Amen.

A Life Of Prayer

Apostle Grace Lubega

Psalms 27:4 (KJV); One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.

Prayer is a life.

No child of God should struggle with prayer because the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of GRACE and SUPPLICATION, meaning that in the life of prayer, there is always sufficient grace for you to pray.

I know Christians who cannot sustain a few minutes in prayer. Five minutes into the prayer, they will be checking the clock and looking for what else to tell God.

That is because such a one has not understood the God to whom he/she prays.

Our devotion to God is not measured by the clock, but time is of the essence. It means that we do not weigh our devotion to God by the number of hours spent praying but nonetheless, it is important that time be spent in prayer.

Until you understand the eternal realm and the God of eternity, time will always be a factor to you in the things of the Spirit.

God is calling you to a life of effortless communion; a life where you may spend hours in prayer and it will seem like a few minutes. This is a life outside duty; it is the priceless opportunity to spend time with the lover of your soul.

FURTHER STUDY: 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Zechariah 12:10

GOLDEN NUGGET:

Prayer is a life. God is calling you to a life of effortless communion; a life where you may spend hours in prayer and it will seem like a few minutes.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for this Word. Thank you for the priceless access I have to your Presence. My life is patterned after a life of prayer in its revelation and true understanding. I am thirsty for the great things you seek to reveal. And as I yield my spirit, I launch deeper into the bottomless things in you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

One Thing Is Needful

Apostle Grace Lubega

Luke 10:42 (KJV); But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Martha invited the Christ to her home. However, the Bible reveals that she busied herself with preparing the meal and having to serve him (Luke 10:40).

Mary on the other hand understood a secret which was to sit at the master’s feet (Luke 10:39). As a result, the Lord said of her that she had found the one thing that was needful. He said what she had received would never be taken away from her.

There are many things in this world that may come to you which things can be taken away. You may get a job but it may not be permanent. You may serve in a ministry but that too can change. You may achieve great things in life but that status may change.

However, there is something you can receive when you sit in the Word of God which can never be taken away. There is a glory that works in your life when you sit in the Word and that glory increases every day. There is a distinction that comes to a man or woman who has learnt to simply sit at the feet of the Master and be taught of Him, and that distinction can never be questioned or imitated.

You may lose any thing but with what you receive by the Word of God, you will always get it all back. They may throw you in the remotest places but with this thing, people will dig roads across forests to get to you because you have the ultimate secret to success and greatness.

So child of God, purpose not to simply hear the Word but may the Lord Himself teach you.

Do not only attend church to hear the next sermon but be a student of the Word. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Colossians 3:16, 2 Timothy 2:15

GOLDEN NUGGET:

You may lose any thing but with what you receive by the Word of God, you will always get it all back. They may throw you in the remotest places but with this thing, people will dig roads across forests to get to you because you have the ultimate secret to success and greatness.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for this Word. Thank you for the precious opportunity to be taught by you. My Lord I choose to simply sit at your feet and listen. I know that you desire to show me great and unsearchable things. My spirit is yielded and my heart is ready. Thank you for the great things your heart reveals.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Head And Not The Tail

Apostle Grace Lubega

Deuteronomy 28:13 (KJV); And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:

The Bible has set a standard for the dominion of the believer. God says you are the head and not the tail.

However, when some Christians hear this, they think of themselves as the head in a classroom context, that is, the best performing student. Another thinks of having the biggest shop in the neighbourhood.

Some imagine that they are the President of a nation, and that is their idea of being a head.

Another thinks of being the richest businessman in his city, that is his idea of being a head.

All the above things are good. It is important to stand out in any setting. However, never limit your faith. Such provisions in scripture are the very opportunities God has availed to Christians to walk at the edge of limitless possibilities.

If He says you are the head and not the tail, today, I urge you to look at the world.

Abraham our father was given a choice in determining the vision of his life; he was to look East, West, North and South and choose how far he wanted to possess (Genesis 13:14). Abraham did not just look East, West, North and South, He saw the world and as such, he became the father of all nations.

So, child of God, think the world, imagine the world, see the world.

God has set the world in your heart (Ecclesiastes 3:11). It means that He has given you the ability to function over and above it.

When He says you are a head, imagine yourself as a world leader in intellectual thought.

When He says you are a head, think of yourself as a world leader in business, in innovative development, in politics, in education and in any sphere where He places you. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Ecclesiates 3:11, Luke 19:13

GOLDEN NUGGET:
When He says you are a head, imagine yourself as a world leader in intellectual thought. When He says you are a head, think of yourself as a world leader in business, in innovative development, in politics, in education and in any sphere where He places you.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for this day. Thank you for setting me apart for greatness. Lord you have placed the world in my heart, whatsoever the world needs is in the inside of me. I refuse to think small and choose to look at the great things you have set before me. I see the world, to the glory of your name. Amen.

Living Above The Opinions Of Men

Apostle Grace Lubega

Luke 6:26 (AMP); Woe to (alas for) you when everyone speaks fairly and handsomely of you and praises you, for even so their forefathers did to the false prophets.

A great man of God once narrated a story of how he walked down a street and met a man who judged him for being a false minister of the gospel. This man ridiculed him for manipulating the people of God and called him all sorts of things.

A little further down the same street, he found another man who was extremely grateful to see him and explained how blessed he was by this man of God’s ministry.

After this experience, the man of God had this to say, ” same street, different opinions but none of them moved me.”

What an attitude!

Some people are so fixated on what others say about them. They rise and fall by the opinions of other men. As a result, they live almost entirely to please men.

But like our theme scripture says, woe to you if all men speak well of you.

Understand that in this gospel, it is impossible not to offend at some point; not every one will agree with you and you have got to accept that.

In fact, if you never want to be criticised, say nothing, do nothing and be nothing.

God is your vindication. His opinion of you must precede anything that anyone may ever say about you.

Walk with your head high in the confidence of what the Master thinks about you because that is the true testimony of who you are. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Proverbs 29:25, 2 Timothy 2:15

GOLDEN NUGGET:
God is your vindication. His opinion of you must precede anything that anyone may ever say about you.

PRAYER: My loving father, I thank you for who I am in you. I am wise, an eternal excellence and a pattern of great things. I look and heed to what you have called me. I am not moved by the words and slander of other men. I am moved by what you say I am. I walk with the confidence of a victorious child of God. To the glory of your name. Amen.