The Church’s Mandate

Apostle Grace Lubega

Proverbs 14:34 (KJV): Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

Righteousness exalts a nation.

God did not say a good political system, good social system or good economic system exalts a nation.

It is righteousness that exalts a nation.

It is high time we stopped blaming our governments for the state of the nation.
The problem is the church.

The Bible says that the foundations are out of course because we do not know who we are in God(Psalms 82).

I have come to understand that the world is out of balance because of the indifference of the Church of Christ.

In this, I have learnt to take responsibility and never judge my leaders.

As a Church, we ought to ask the hard questions: what message are we preaching?

Can I teach a man like Christ did and provoke in him the repentance of Zaccheaus to return money unjustly gained?

Have we fathered saints in the gospel or simply manipulated and abused them that they never want to pray?

Have we preached to them the righteousness that is of God that points them to their identity in God?

We can’t claim to be a Christian nation and still see certain things.

If we cannot see the results of what it means to be a Christian nation, it is high time we redefine what we call Christianity.

The church must take responsibility for the state of its nation because the mandate of discipling nations was handed to us.

FURTHER STUDY: Habakkuk 2:14, Psalms 22:27

GOLDEN NUGGET:
The church must take responsibility for the state of its nation because the mandate of discipling nations was handed to us.

PRAYER: My God, thank you for your Word for today. You know why you placed me in my nation, why I drunk its waters, ate its food and drove on its roads. It is all tied in to your purpose and will. With all the knowledge you have trusted me with, I cannot be in a nation and be comfortable with the things that do not show your glory. Because I am here, principalities bow. Because I am here, my nation grows in the knowledge of you. Because I am here, the gospel has free course. Because I am here peace reigns. To the glory of your name. Amen.

The Seven Mountains: Beyond Compromise

Apostle Grace Lubega

Zechariah 8:23 (KJV): Thus saith the Lord of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.

We live in a generation where some Christians aspiring to be on top of these mountains have been consumed by the spirit of compromise.

Some Christians no longer pray because they got big time jobs that became a priority over God.

How about Christian artists? When they were upcoming, they went to every church because their CD had to sell. When these got famous, church lost priority!

I know a minister who was invited to preach to a group of students. When he arrived, he asked his assistant to go check how many people were waiting for him. When he was told that they were about twenty, he drove away!

Such a one is waiting for a big crusade in order to make an impact, how?! How?!

How about the minister who has thirty members and then wants six body guards?

What message are we giving the church?

What kind of influence will we have when God gets such on top of the mountain?

Look at the Christian radio station that believes that they have to play secular music to attract adverts. The upcoming young Christian artist will think that you have to play secular music to be a success. That is not so!

Jesus did not need to get drunk to win drunkards.

Like our theme scripture says, nations will admire and cling to you because you have God.

It is time God brought back the fear of the church to this world, like it was in the book of Acts! ( Acts 5:11). It is about time the church set the standards for this world and not the world setting the standards for the church, God help us!

FURTHER STUDY: Isaiah 60:3, Isaiah 49:23

GOLDEN NUGGET:
Nations will admire and cling to you because you have God. It is about time the church set the standards for this world and not the world setting the standards for the church, God help us!

PRAYER: God I thank you for the great privilege of being a child of God. You have called me, separated me and sanctified me. I am a member of your body; your mind is my mind and I am the bone of your bones. I live my life with the understanding that I am unique, peculiar and special. With this knowledge, I am a trend setter to the world. To the glory of your name. Amen.

The Seven Mountains: The Quality Of Christians

 Apostle Grace Lubega

Luke 19:13 (KJV): And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

Bill Bright and Loren Cunningham both received a message from God concerning the seven mountains of influence that the Church of Christ has been called to dominate.

These spheres include : religion, business, politics, arts and entertainment, media, family and education.

I fully agree with the thought that if Christians take up these mountains of influence, they are in a better position to change the world.

However, I have seen Christians who are on top of these mountains but without much impact.

We have rich Christians in business today. There are governments with Christian presidents but those nations are corrupt. We have very big churches in the world today. We have schools and universities founded by Christians but how many of them are influential?

It is not that God has not opened doors for the gospel, we are just dealing with the wrong gospel with an open door; don’t think that Christians have not had opportunities, they have but the wrong kind of Christians.

The church is investing in getting Christians at the top but we ought to ask ourselves, what quality of Christians are at the top?

If you are a very rich Christian, how are you building the kingdom? If you are a politician how are you influencing policy for the sake of the gospel?

We ought to attach some spiritual accountability to being up there and not simply celebrate the fact that some Christians are up there.

As a church, we ought to stop looking at what God has done to get that Christian on top but what God has done IN that Christian before getting them to the top.

The question is not about the church on the mountain but the quality of the church on the mountain. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Genesis 1:28, Proverbs 29:2

GOLDEN NUGGET:

As a church, we ought to stop looking at what God has done to get that Christian on top of the mountain of influence but what God has done IN that Christian before getting them on top of that mountain.

PRAYER: My God I thank you for my authority as a believer. I am destined to reign, a head and not a tail, above and not beneath. Lord even as you continuously elevate me to influence, I thank you because you work in me the true character of the Spirit, that for any position you entrust me with, I minister your grace, love and purpose. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Error Of The Prophet

Apostle Grace Lubega

Revelation 2:14 (KJV): But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

In the Old Testament, Balaam was merely a PROPHET who was requested by Balac to curse the children of Israel (Numbers 22).

In the book of Jude, the scriptures speak of the ERROR of Balaam thus, “Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.”(Jude 1:11).

In the book of Revelation, the spirit of Balaam shifts from the prophetic to (coming in a form of) DOCTRINE.

When we trace this transition through the scriptures, we understand that Balaam was a PROPHET who ERRORED in DOCTRINE.

The error was at the point when he allowed himself to be enticed and influenced by monetary reward.

God does not expect a man of God to seek a reward for His oracles. That is the beginning of error and yielding to a spirit that is not of God.

FURTHER STUDY: Jude 1:11, 2 Peter 2:16

GOLDEN NUGGET:
God does not expect a man of God to seek a reward for His oracles. That is the beginning of error and yielding to a spirit that is not of God.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for this wisdom. There is so much in this life of the Spirit of which we ought to be cautious, but I am grateful that the abundance of your Word has taught me to draw the line. It has also given me the wisdom to know the difference and the discernment to separate the true from the false light. I cannot be deceived. Even as I explore this world, I see and hear truth with clarity as perfectly revealed by you. To the glory of your name. Amen.

To See The Lord

Apostle Grace Lubega

Exodus 33:18-23 (KJV): And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory… And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.

Moses desired to see the glory of God but the Lord told him that there is a glory in God which no man can see and live.

This glory cannot be withstood by the terrestrial (physical) body.

Of that glory, the Bible says that it is a light that no man can approach (1 Timothy 6:16).

The Lord told Moses, “Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by.”

For Moses to see the glory of God, the Lord told him that there was a place by him and Moses was to stand upon a rock.

Child of God, understand that this is not a physical rock, it is a spiritual one. And, this rock is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4).

This therefore means we cannot have the full vision of God in the terrestrial body.

It can only be as we transcend into our celestial nature and see God through the eyes of Jesus, the rock of our salvation.

God is not saying that this experience is unattainable while you are in the physical body but rather that you need to take on a form which is not human to see a glory that cannot be seen by men.

It is why God defines you as an eternal being.

Even though no man (physically) can access that degree of glory, you can by the Spirit because you have a celestial existence. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: 1 Corinthians 15:40, 1 Corinthians 10:4

GOLDEN NUGGET:
We cannot have the full vision of God in the terrestrial body. It can only be as we transcend into our celestial nature and see God through the eyes of Jesus, the rock of our salvation.

PRAYER: My God I thank you. This day you have set my eyes to look on that which is eternal in the knowledge that as I behold, I am transformed. What a great honour Lord to know that you don’t want me to only know you through visions and dreams but to behold your very countenance and see you face to face. Lord, I choose to see and behold you through Christ and as I behold, I am humbled by the glory you reveal. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Stewards Of The Mysteries

 Apostle Grace Lubega

1 Corinthians 4:1 (KJV): Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

The Bible is full of mysteries: The mystery of the kingdom of God (Mark 4:11); the mystery of His will (Ephesians 1:9); the mystery of Christ (Ephesians 3:4); the great mystery (Ephesians 5:32); the mystery of the gospel (Ephesians 6:19); the mystery of iniquity (2 Thessalonians 2:7); the mystery of godliness (1 Timothy 3:16); the mystery of the seven stars (Revelation 1:20) and many other mysteries.

But the greatest news is that we are STEWARDS of these mysteries! We are not seeking them; we POSSESS and CARRY them. God has entrusted them to us and we are the managers. What a privilege!

Think about it for a moment.

The Bible says that angels inquire into these things (1 Peter 1:12).

Angels are also curious about you because you have been entrusted with these mysteries.

You are truly a divine curiosity.

How then can you regard yourself as an ordinary person?

This responsibility is not without glory. The scriptures reveal that it is the glory of God to conceal a matter (Proverbs 25:2).

By virtue of these being mysteries, they are wrapped in glory.

You are the DEMYSTIFIER of everything that is mysterious about the person of God; everything in you oozes the person of God in His wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Matthew 13:11, 1 Corinthians 4:2

GOLDEN NUGGET:
You are the DEMYSTIFIER of everything that is mysterious about the person of God; everything in you oozes the person of God in His wisdom, knowledge and understanding.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you because it is given to me to know the mysteries of the kingdom. I am not just a steward of them, I am a faithful steward of these mysteries. Everything I do reveals who you are. Today, I walk in the absolute confidence that I am peculiar. Lord I cannot know such a divine truth and think like an ordinary person. As I do anything this day, I choose to carry the consciousness that I am a steward of mysteries. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God Knows You By Name

Apostle Grace Lubega

Exodus 33:17 (KJV): And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.

God knows every one’s name. He knows that your name is Jane, that your father’s name is Gary or that your mother’s name is Elizabeth.

But what does He mean when He says, “I know you BY NAME?”

In our theme scripture, for instance, it did not mean that He knew Moses as ‘Moses’. No.

This knowledge is different. It points to a greater place of intimacy and acquaintance with the voice of God.

In Revelation 2:17, He casts light on this naming and says, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a NEW NAME WRITTEN, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.”

This, beloved saint, is a deeper place of hearing God.

When you start to hear God in this higher realm, there is a way He calls you that is more than just what your parents named you.

There is a way God communicates with you that is deeper than communication through speech.

In this place, child of truth, others might hear the sound of a trumpet yet you will hear an instruction in the sound of the trumpet (Revelation 4:1); where others hear thunder, you will hear His voice in the thunder (John 12:28-29).

The Father is calling you to this place. He says, “come up hither” (Revelation 4:1).

Go deeper to go higher! And as you do, He opens your spirit to the diversities of how He speaks and ministers. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Revelation 4:1, John 12:28-29

GOLDEN NUGGET:
When you start to hear God in a higher realm, there is a way He calls you that is more than just what your parents named you. There is a way He communicates with you that is deeper than communication through speech.

PRAYER: My father, I am grateful for this knowledge. This day, I rest in the blessed assurance that you know me by name. My spirit is deeply yielded to divine instruction and the clarity of your voice. When you call, I hear. I hear more than just the voice, I also perceive instruction in every way you choose to communicate. To the glory of your name. Amen.

Why We Preach The Grace: After The Manner Of God

Apostle Grace Lubega

Romans 4:17 (KJV): (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

It is in the nature of God to call the things that are not as though they are.
He knows that life and death are in the POWER of the TONGUE (Proverbs 18:21) thus when God declares something, it must become.

If in this wisdom He calls the things that are not as though they are, do you expect Him to call you unrighteous because you made a mistake?

Do you expect Him to call you a sinner because of what you did in the flesh?

No, God calls the things that are not as though they are. He called Simon a rock even when he was unstable.

He calls you wise even when you act foolish. He calls you rich even when you seem poor. He calls you healthy even when your body is afflicted.

God calls that which is not as though it is because He intends it to become what He sees.
Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Proverbs 18:21, Philemon 1:6

GOLDEN NUGGET:
It is in the nature of God to call the things that are not as though they are. He calls you wise even when you act foolish. He calls you rich even when you seem poor. He calls you healthy even when your body is afflicted. God calls that which is not as though it is because He intends it to become what He sees.

PRAYER: Father, what a glorious pattern to learn from you. You have given me the power to bring forth; to decree and to declare; to plant and to uproot; to build and to break. All of it is in my tongue! So with this knowledge, my lips only speak forth life. I see as you see and thus I speak. Where there is weakness, I speak strength; where there is lack, I speak abundance. And as I declare, these very things are established. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Walk About Zion

Apostle Grace Lubega

Psalms 48:12-13 (KJV): Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.

The scriptures reveal that our spiritual dwelling is Zion (Hebrews 12:22).

Because we dwell there, it is required that we also walk there. You must have intimate knowledge of the streets of Zion: its bulwarks, citadels and foundations.

If you never walk about Zion, you will neither have a message for your generation nor the ones to come. This is the distinction that makes you relevant long after you are gone; and it comes only by walking in the right places.

Deeper than this, the Bible says that wisdom is crying out on the streets (Proverbs 1:20).

For a moment, think of the streets of Zion and not those of your city or town. The bulwarks and citadels of Zion have something to teach you.

When you walk there, you will know how to build a ministry that lasts, how to start a business that grows continually and how to build relationships that last.

Draw from the wisdom on the streets of Zion. Zion is your dwelling place. Walk there because you dwell there.

FURTHER STUDY: Hebrews 12:22, Proverbs 1:20

GOLDEN NUGGET:
If you never walk about Zion, you will neither have a message for your generation nor the ones to come. This is the distinction that makes you relevant long after you are gone from the earth.

PRAYER: Father God, I am most grateful for this Word. You have not written my story to end with my life on the earth. I am eternal and my story must be eternal. You have opened up the eternal world for my exploration and by faith I walk; I don’t just walk, I draw wisdom and carry a message for my generation and the ones to come. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God’s Secret Agenda

Apostle Grace Lubega

1 Kings 19:13-14, 18 (KJV): And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away… Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.

Elijah was convinced that he was the only remaining prophet in the land of Israel. He complained to God that he had been faithful in his service to Him and as the only standing prophet, his life was in grave danger.

God informed him that this was not true because there were seven thousand other prophets that the Lord had preserved for Himself.

Some Christians are like Elijah. They think that they are the only ones who are serving God diligently thus they assume that no one else loves God like they do.

Some think that they know God more than others and it is their knowledge of God that is accurate hence the standard by which we all must know God.

Don’t be deceived. No one owns revelation or holds a patent on the depths of God.

God is raising many whose hearts beat solely after Him. He is pouring out knowledge to those we least expect. Some are in the remotest places and have never been to church but God is at work!

It should not be a cause for envy when we see more and more of these works in our day. In fact when we meet those who know more than us, we should bless God. When we encounter those whom the Lord is using in mighty ways, we shouldn’t be asking whether they follow with us or not; we should rejoice because it is the work of the Lord. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Daniel 12:4, Joel 2:28

GOLDEN NUGGET:
God is raising many whose hearts beat solely after Him. He is pouring out knowledge to those we least expect. Some are in the deepest and remotest places and have never been to church but God is at work! It should not be a cause for envy when we see more and more of these works in our day. In fact when we meet those who know more than us, we should bless God.

PRAYER: Father, thank you for what you are doing in our day! I know you are pouring out knowledge in waves. Lord, my spirit is open to receive it all. Even as you work this in our generation, we can only be grateful. I know that any gaps in divine purpose must be filled. As you raise people to fill them, I am thankful and humbled to be alive in these days. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Principle Of Access

Apostle Grace Lubega

Romans 5: 2(KJV): By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Access has principles.

Indeed we have been given all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). However, access to these things is governed by certain PRINCIPLES of the Spirit.

Child of God, the primary and most distinctive principle of access is the Spirit of FAITH.

The Bible says that freely we have RECEIVED, freely we give (Matthew 10:8) yet most people read this scripture as “freely we have been given, freely we give.” However, the language of God is: “freely WE HAVE RECEIVED…”

This means that our faith allows us to receive what has already been given.

Saints, what you need is already freely available. You can simply access it by allowing yourself to RECEIVE BY FAITH that which God has availed. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Matthew 10:8, 2 Peter 1:3

GOLDEN NUGGET:
The primary and most distinctive principle of access is the Spirit of FAITH.

PRAYER: My loving God, I know that you have blessed me with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places; you have given me all things that pertain to life and godliness. Oh what a blessed truth! I walk in faith and live as one in the fullness of your promises. My life is patterned after this understanding and pay no regard to any contrary testimony. I live and walk in divine abundance. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Perfection In God

Apostle Grace Lubega

1 Peter 2:9 (AMP): But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.

God’s definition of perfection is different from how people normally define perfection.

According to people, perfection is usually what is pleasantly upright.

That is why many do not understand the notion of God displaying His perfection in an imperfect body. It is such a paradox!

Whenever people define perfection, they usually have a relative understanding of truth despite the fact that truth is supposed to be absolute.

The true definition of perfection in God is when one learns to fully reconcile the person of God with His manifested purpose.

God is a God of purpose. And the fulfilment of His purpose according to His nature or person is what He defines as perfection.

FURTHER STUDY: Matthew 5:48, James 3:2

GOLDEN NUGGET:
God is a God of purpose. And the fulfilment of His purpose according to His nature or person is what He defines as perfection.

PRAYER: Father, thank you for this knowledge. I marvel at the infallible truth that you have called me to display your perfection. Everything that you define as perfect is manifest through me. Whatsoever you define as excellent is manifest through me. I am a standard of greatness to the nations of this world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.