In The Service Of The Gospel

Phillipians 2:22(KJV); But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.

Service defines the relationship between fathers and sons in the gospel.

The Amplified version of our theme scripture renders it thus, ‘But Timothy’s tested worth you know, how as a son with his father he has toiled with me zealously in [serving and helping to advance] the good news (the Gospel).’

What is the worth of sonship? What proves it? Service does.

Church attendance does not define sonship. Listening to the message of a man or woman of God is not what makes one a son.

Your commitment and availability or your submission to the ministry has not been tested and proved until you have learned to serve.

Service is you having a part in a vision of a ministry and it having it’s part in you. It is how fathers see their spirits multiplied in sons.

Glory to God!

FURTHER STUDY: 1 Corinthians 4:17, 2 Corinthians 12:15

GOLDEN NUGGET:

Service defines the relationship between fathers and sons in the gospel.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for this wisdom. I serve with diligence and zeal in the understanding that through service, I grow and mature in the things of God. I serve the men and women of God you have blessed me with, I add to their labours and never subtract from them. To the glory of your name, Amen.

Understanding The Person Of The Holy Spirit – 2

Apostle Grace Lubega 

Ephesians 4:30 (KJV); And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Corrupt words grieve the Holy Spirit. 

In Colossians 4:6, the Bible says, ‘Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.’

The Message Version of this scripture renders it thus, ‘Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.’

There have been many instances when Christians have said the vilest things about fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord. I’ve been in ministry long enough to see some men die from stab wounds resulting from words spoken against them. Most unfortunately, some of these words have been spoken from the pulpit itself by men of God, either against other ministers or against their own church members.

The reason why some struggle to demonstrate the Spirit is because they have breached this principle countless times. They think they can corrupt others with their speech and still experience the manifestation of the Spirit. How can you hate a brother you see and claim to love a God you do not see?(1 John 4:20). When you grieve a brother or sister, you grieve the Spirit in him or her too. 

The reason we preach grace is because every communication of the Spirit of God ministers grace because He seeks to edify men and not to corrupt them.

Purpose to be kind in your speech. It is part of the virtue that must flow out of you because you know God. 

His name be praised!

FURTHER STUDY: Colossians 4:6, 1 John 4:20

GOLDEN NUGGET:
The reason we preach grace is because every communication of the Spirit of God ministers grace because He seeks to edify men and not to corrupt them.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for this Word. I receive it in humility, it works in me to bear fruit that abides forever. My lips minister grace to my hearers. I am conscious that the same Spirit in me is the Spirit in my fellow brothers and sisters of the faith.This consciousness defines my language, speech and attitude towards a fellow believer. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Understanding The Person Of The Holy Spirit – 1

Apostle Grace Lubega

1 Thessalonians 5:19(KJV); Quench not the Spirit.

The scriptures instruct us never to quench the Holy Spirit. It means that we shouldn’t suppress or stiffle Him in anyway.

Quenching the Spirit is when one interrupts His operation in a place or through a person.

He is a spirit of liberty and how yielded you are to Him defines how much you will flow in these liberties.

For example, when a person hears another speaking in tongues and commands them not to do so, that is quenching the Spirit because when men speak in tongues, it is the Holy Spirit who gives them utterance.

If you disrupt a meeting of a man of God as He teaches the Word, if he is a man of truth, you quench the Holy Spirit. In doing so, you cut short His intended purpose and as such, carry the responsibility of any souls that may be lost as a consequence of your actions.

Some church services are designed in such a way as to quench the Holy Spirit. ‘Program’ is their God and rules the day. There is absolutely no room for the Spirit of God to manifest and fulfil His intention. This does not mean that we should abuse time and unnecessarily elongate services. It means that we must be sensitive enough to allow Him move as He wants to even if it disrupts our carefully planned programs.

Your spirit must be exercised to know what touches the Spirit and what pleases Him. You must know when He says yes and when He says no. When He says proceed and when He says stop.

Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Ephesians 4:30, 2 Corinthians 3:17

GOLDEN NUGGET:

The Spirit of God is a spirit of liberty and how yielded you are to Him defines how much you will flow in these liberties.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for this truth. My spirit is exercised to hear you at all times and in all places. I am acquainted with your desires because I have learnt how to feel after you. Because of this understanding, I am far from error and offence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Test Of Conviction

Apostle Grace Lubega

2 Timothy 3:16(KJV); All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness

Every conviction in your spirit must be aligned with the Word of God. His Word is the test of conviction.

Take the example of Christians who claim that the Lord led them to marry non believers. In 2 Corinthians 6:14, He says, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”

Do you mean to say that God went against His own Word?

Someone else might claim that the Lord spoke to them not to tithe for an entire year. In Malachi 3:10, He says, “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse…”

Why would He ignore His own Word and tell you not to tithe? Whenever you hear a voice or feel a conviction that is contrary to the Word of God, understand that it is the voice of a familiar spirit and not the voice of God.

You can never be convicted outside the principles of God. He is a God of deep integrity; He keeps His Word. He doesn’t change His mind as and when it suits Him.

Be keen to ask whether the conviction you carry is in line with the Word of God lest you find yourself in error.

His name be praised!

FURTHER STUDY: Psalm 119:89, Psalm 138:2

GOLDEN NUGGET:

You can never be convicted outside the principles of God. He is a God of deep integrity; He keeps His Word. He doesn’t change His mind as and when it suits Him.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for this Wisdom. The Word dwells richly in me and is the basis of all my desires. It is a lamp unto my feet and my guiding light in the paths of life. My decisions are Word-aligned; my convictions are Word-aligned and my plans are Word-aligned. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

In The Small Things

Apostle Grace Lubega

Luke 16:10(KJV); He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

The Holy Spirit ministers to us regarding the smallest details of our lives. 

He will speak to you concerning the cleanliness of your home, about respecting the traffic lights, about being a courteous and disciplined road user or to the fact that it’s not responsible behaviour to throw rubbish on the streets.

These might seem like ordinary convictions but they are what train your spirit to hear Him even more.

By principle, if you are faithful in that which is least you will also be faithful in much. It means that if you can hear and heed to His voice regarding the small things, you will also be able to hear Him in the big things.

God cannot speak to you about the future of a nation when you have not learned to hear Him about how to treat your neighbour or colleague; how to be neat and take proper care of your body.

He cannot trust you with the responsibility of a government when you can’t hear Him when He corrects you about carelessly throwing rubbish anywhere.

It is in the small things that promotion comes. When you hear Him in the little things you will hear Him in the great things too.

FURTHER STUDY: Isaiah 30:21, Proverbs 14:8

GOLDEN NUGGET:

The Holy Spirit ministers to us regarding the smallest details of our lives. It is in the small things that promotion comes. When you hear Him in the little things, you will hear Him in the great things too.

PRAYER: Loving Father, you are great and worthy to be praised! I am eternally grateful for the precious gift of your Holy Spirit; my wisdom; counsellor and friend. My spirit is exercised to hear Him. I am conscious of His slightest nudges and faintest convictions. My life is one of continual yielding to His desires. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

At Our Best With God

Apostle Grace Lubega 

Romans 5:10(MSG);  If, when we were at our worst, we were put on friendly terms with God by the sacrificial death of his Son, now that we’re at our best, just think of how our lives will expand and deepen by means of his resurrection life!

As a Born Again Christian, you are at your best with God. 

He is not waiting for you to improve before He can consider you His own.

The sacrifice of Christ at Calvary put you at your best with Him. 

Think about it child of God. The beginning line for you has been drawn and it is marked as ‘best.’

How can you feel disadvantaged? How can you consider yourself as less than those of this world? 

God is pleased with who He has made you. In fact, He demonstrates this through what He calls you. He says you are His righteousness(2 Corinthians 5:21). You are born of an incorruptible seed(1 Peter 1:23).

If God considers you the  best, never let the world downgrade you. Never shortchange yourself. 

Learn to see yourself just as He sees you.

Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: 2 Corinthians 5:21, Colossians 2:10

GOLDEN NUGGET:
As a Born Again Christian, you are at your best with God. He is not waiting for you to improve before He can consider you His own. 

PRAYER: Loving Father, you are faithful. You have set me apart, sanctified and consecrated me as your own. When you see me, you see greatness. When you see me, it is through the eyes of Christ and His sacrifice at Calvary. I know that all things concerning me are of God. I behold this truth and live it’s reality everyday. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Paradox Of Spiritual Ability

Apostle Grace Lubega

2 Corinthians 12:9(KJV); And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

In the mind of God, your greatest weakness is also your greatest strength. This is the paradox of spiritual ability.

If this were not the case, the devil would not waste time tempting you in that particular area, but he does so because he is aware that therein lies your strength.

If you ever find yourself struggling in a specific area of your life, understand that you are infact very strong in it. For example,  If it is work discipline, you are the most hard-working person you will ever need. If it is controlling your words or speech, then no one alive has more grace on their lips than yourself.

Because he understood this, Paul boldly said, ‘If I must glory, I glory of the things which concern my infirmities.’ The NIV version of the Bible says, ‘If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.’

This does not in any way mean that one exalts what is wrong and ungodly. It is finding rest in the assurance that anytime weakness manifests itself in your life, you’re reminded of the infallible truth that you are indeed strong!

Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Philippians 4:13, 2 Corinthians 12:6

GOLDEN NUGGET:
In the mind of God, your greatest weakness is also your greatest strength. This is the paradox of spiritual ability.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for this knowledge. I embrace it and live my life in this understanding. Your strength is manifest through me and that strength supplies sufficiency: to be faithful in what I have been trusted with; to be diligent in all my responsibilities; to put the flesh under subjection and to gain mastery over any habits. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

God’s Faithfulness To The Sinner – 1

Apostle Grace Lubega

1 Timothy 1:16(KJV); Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.”

Paul’s life is a pattern of the long suffering and patience of God toward us.

In Galatians 1:13, Paul says, ‘For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it.’

He was a bitter enemy of the Church of Christ, a man who ordered arrests and condoned the stoning of Christians to death.

But God overlooked all that, met him on a journey to Damascus, which journey, Paul had planned for the further destruction of the church and saved him.

Paul indeed is the example that God can use anyone. He has a way of working with some of the worst people in this world, people that have done all sorts of unimaginable things, and using them too.

It doesn’t matter what you have done or where you have been. The Lord’s arms are open. He says, ‘I want to change you and to use you.’

Forget the past and look to Him. His love is all-embracing and is from ever lasting to ever lasting.

Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Romans 2:4, Hebrews 7:25

GOLDEN NUGGET:

It doesn’t matter what you have done or where you have been. The Lord’s arms are open. He says, ‘I want to change you and to use you.’

PRAYER: Father God, I thank you for your love. It knows no boundaries and no end. It is high enough and broad enough to embrace even the worst of all men and of all sins. It is beyond comprehension! I receive this love today knowing that you are patient toward me, dealing with me and perfecting all that concerns me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A Grace Encounter

Apostle Grace Lubega 

Acts 9:10-12(KJV); And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

It is absolutely essential that every new convert in Christ firstly encounters the grace of God. It is the first doctrine that everyone must understand if they should live a full life of salvation.

This is why Ananias is the first face that Paul sees when God gives him spiritual sight. He is also the first face Paul sees when his physical sight is restored.

The name Ananias is translated to mean, ‘whom Jehovah has graciously given.’ He is a representation of the generosity of God’s grace and it’s unlimited abundance.

In this walk of salvation, I have seen new converts being firstly plunged into legalistic teaching. Oftentimes this leads to their falling off the path claiming that salvation is hard. This is because they were not pointed to grace.

It is by grace that we are saved(Ephesians 2:8). Every new believer must understand this. It is why the first principle of the doctrine of Christ is repentance from dead works(Hebrews 6:1). 
It is why Paul says that it is important that a heart be established by grace (Hebrews 13:9). 

A man who starts in grace finishes in grace. Like the great John Newton sung, “grace brought us safe thus far, and grace will lead us home.”

Glory to God!

FURTHER STUDY: Hebrews 6:1, Ephesians 2:8

GOLDEN NUGGET:

 The first thing every new convert in Christ must encounter is the grace of God. 

PRAYER: Great and loving Father, I thank you for the gift of grace. Thank you because it is you who works and wills in me according to your good pleasure. I receive your grace and yield to the power of your Spirit, my counsellor, comforter, strength, joy and peace. Grace brought me to this life of salvation and grace keeps me to the end. I believe it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Enlarged In The Waiting

Apostle Grace Lubega

Romans 8:24-25(MSG); That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don’t see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.

In this life, there may be things that you have waited for, for a long time. You may have waited for a disease to leave your body for years. You may have believed God to intervene in your marriage for years. You may have asked God to deliver your drug addicted son for years.

Don’t give up.

The Lord says that waiting does not diminish us and we are enlarged in our waiting. The longer we wait, the larger we become.

Yes, that issue in your life may have lasted for years but even in that waiting, you are enlarged, made stronger, more enduring and more stable in God.

If you sense a delay in any answer, may it stir in you a sense of expectancy in the knowledge that you must bring forth fruit.

Waiting shouldn’t discourage you, it should excite you because you know God is putting together many things for your sake. Your miracle is bigger than you anticipate! That is the attitude of a believer!

You are closer to your miracle than you think. Believe God.

Glory to God!

FURTHER STUDY: 2 Corinthians 4:17, Romans 5:3-5

GOLDEN NUGGET:

Waiting shouldn’t discourage you, it should excite you because you know God is putting together many things for your sake. Your miracle is bigger than you anticipate! That is the attitude of a believer!

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for this knowledge. I know that you are faithful to the end. No matter what I go through and where I am, you are the author and finisher of my faith. I rejoice in you no matter what comes my way because I see the end. I am enlarged, strong and victorious. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Of Windows And Doors

Apostle Grace Lubega

Ecclesiastes 12:3(KJV); In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,”

At all times, you must be able to see through the windows of the Spirit. Sadly, there are those who cannot look through these windows anymore because their sight is darkened. This is the spiritual state that our theme scripture refers to.

Windows represent revelation in the spirit realm. If windows are darkened, this means that a man is closed to revelation. 

Because windows define and predict doors, darkened windows translate into closed doors.

If you ever find yourself facing many closed doors in your life, whether it’s in your finances, career, ministry or business, always question what is wrong with your windows.

Paul prayed for the Church at Ephesus and said, ‘By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones)'(Ephesians 1:18 AMP). He also speaks in Ephesians 3:9 that it was his desire ‘to make all men see the fellowship of the mystery.’

It is the portion of every believer to have their eyes flooded with light. This means that the Spirit of revelation must be constantly alive in you. 

Revelation is a Spirit and not a gift. Yield to Him, understand Him and allow Him to launch you into realms of understanding that are beyond the ordinary. When you do, doors will open to you constantly with the greatest ease.

FURTHER STUDY: Ephesians 1:18AMP, 2 Corinthians 4:6

GOLDEN NUGGET: 

At all times, you must be able to see through the windows of the Spirit, which windows represent revelation. Revelation is a Spirit and not a gift. Yield to Him, understand Him and allow Him to launch you into realms of understanding that are beyond the ordinary.

PRAYER: Loving Father, I thank you for your Word in my spirit. You have shined in my heart and have given to me the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. The Spirit of revelation is working mightily in me. I see in the word more than ever before. To the glory of your name, Amen.