A Man Under God

Apostle Grace Lubega

James 4:7 (KJV); Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Our theme scripture gives us a pattern in divine warfare.

It is firstly submission to God and then resisting the devil.

You may resist the devil all your life and he will never flee simply because you have not mastered this pattern.

What then is submission to God?

This is the place of bending to the authority of God and His Word.

It is giving God and His Word the priority they deserve at all times, in all places and under all circumstances.

The result of such submission is that if you speak, it is not merely you speaking but God speaking.

When a man who is submitted to God rebukes illness, it is not him rebuking the illness but the God in him rebuking the illness.

When such a man casts out demons, it is not merely him casting out demons but God in him casting out demons.

The result of this is that circumstances do not hear that man speaking; they hear the voice of God.

Difficulties do not hear that man speaking, they hear the voice of God.

Submission to God makes you the voice of God to demons, storms and any form of attack of the enemy. That is why the devil flees. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Ephesians 4:27; Luke 1:1-4

GOLDEN NUGGET:

Submission to God is the place of bending to the authority of God and His Word. The result of such submission is that if you speak, it is not merely you speaking but God speaking. Submission to God makes you the voice of God to demons, storms and any form of attack of the enemy.

PRAYER: My loving Father, I give You praise for this great day. I thank You because I am an instructed spirit. My life is ordered and patterned to the truth in Your Word. The devil has no part nor lot in what I do. I am submitted under You Lord, my life is a constant song of victory because I have understood this pattern. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Of Eternal Life

 Apostle Grace Lubega

John 17:3 (AMP); And this is eternal life: [it means] to know (to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent.

Eternal life is not the life to come. It is the life now IN the revelation of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Like our theme scripture says, eternal life is the knowledge of God.

This means that it is eternal to know God.

What makes it eternal is not merely the fact that it is an endless lifetime that is not subject to the dictates of time.

Rather, it is eternal because of the limitlessness of the knowledge of God.

The Bible calls them the deep and bottomless things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10 AMP).

So, eternal life is not eternal life simply because it will last forever; it is eternal life because there can never be an end to the knowledge of God.

The fullness of this life depends on how deep you launch in this knowledge.

We are as eternal as our knowledge of God.

That is why you must INVEST IN KNOWLEDGE. It is the greatest gift by God–to know Him! Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: 1 John 5:11, 1 Corinthians 2:10 (AMP).

GOLDEN NUGGET:

Eternal life is not eternal life simply because it will last forever; it is eternal life because there can never be an end to the knowledge of God. That is why you must invest in knowledge. It is the greatest gift by God–to know Him!

PRAYER: Father, I thank You for this Word. I have received eternal life and walk in the manifestation of this life every day. I launch deeper and deeper in the knowledge of You and as I walk in the depths of eternal truth, I manifest the God-life to the glory of Your name. Amen.

Touch Not His Anointed

Apostle Grace Lubega

1 Chronicles 16:21-22(KJV); He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes, Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

The Lord sternly instructs us not to touch His anointed.

Touching His anointed is not simply about doing them physical harm. There are those who do so with their tongues; through gossip, slander, malicious talk and erroneously judging them.

When He says “touch not My anointed” He means that you have to leave them to Him. It is He who will deal with them when they are at fault.

King David gives us a clear example of one who had this wisdom.

He had an opportunity to kill King Saul. One might argue that he even had the moral right to end the life of his mortal enemy. But look at what David said in the face of temptation. He said, “FOR WHO CAN STRETCH FORTH HIS HAND AGAINST THE LORD’S ANOINTED, AND BE GUILTLESS? … AS THE LORD LIVETH, THE LORD SHALL SMITE HIM; OR HIS DAY SHALL COME TO DIE; OR HE SHALL DESCEND INTO BATTLE, AND PERISH.” (1 Samuel 26:9-10).

Imagine the language! “The Lord shall smite him or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle and perish…”

In David’s mind, this was purely between God and the man He had anointed as king. He [David] had no part in it; God would deal with Saul in His own good time.

That is wisdom!

In the same vein, Paul asks, “Who are you to judge another man’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls (Romans 14.4).

The servants of the Lord stand or fall before Him; you have no authority to judge them, only God does.

That is why I have learned to stay away from any negative talk about men and women of God. I dare not touch the anointed of God.

In whatsoever you do, DO NOT TOUCH the Lord’s anointed.

FURTHER STUDY: Romans 14:4, Isaiah 54:17

GOLDEN NUGGET:

The servants of the Lord stand or fall before Him; you have no authority to judge them, only God does. In whatsoever you do, do not touch the Lord’s anointed.

PRAYER: My loving Father, I thank You for Your Word. I receive this wisdom with meekness and humility. I choose to honour the anointing in all that I say and do and regard with esteem those You have anointed. I walk in this pattern because these truths preserve and make ministers and in them, I am established every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hearing Precedes Judgement

Apostle Grace Lubega

John 5:30 (KJV); I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

Our Lord and master Jesus said, “As I hear, I judge”.

Church history records an interesting account of what it means to hear before one judges.

In his Book, God’s Generals, Roberts Liardon gives an account of how William Branham, called to be a prophet of God, had ventured into the teaching ministry with dire consequences.

His teachings attracted great criticism from many in the church of Christ. He was ridiculed, judged and condemned by several people.

It is recorded that the young minister, Kenneth Hagin, received a prophecy from the Lord and made a pronouncement that on a particular date, the Lord was calling his servant William Branham home. This prophecy was fulfilled.

Kenneth Hagin heard before he judged.

How about in the New Testament teachings; when Ananias and Sapphire lied to the apostles, Peter said, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” At that moment she fell down at his feet and died (Acts 5:9-10).

He heard before he spoke.
Such divine judgment is always in line with the voice of God.

Understand that it is not an opportunity for a man or woman of God to prove his or her power and boast over the fact that what he or she says comes to pass.

It is a place of authority for men with a divine mandate and assignment to set things right in the house of God.

This authority is always exercised in LOVE.

When a man judges without first hearing the voice of God, what he says are “idle words.”

They are idle because they are void of the divine authority that pronounces judgment in any situation.

For these idle words, the Bible says, you will have to give account to God (Matthew 12:36).

Beloved saint, make it a point to hear God before you judge another man because this is the wisdom of those that are mature in God.

FURTHER STUDY: James 4:12; Hebrews 7:25

GOLDEN NUGGET:

When a man judges without first hearing the voice of God, what he says are “idle words.” They are idle because they are void of the divine authority that pronounces judgment in any situation.

PRAYER: Loving Father I am grateful for your Word. Thank you for this wisdom that leads me to pray rather than judge fellow sisters and brothers. My God, you are love and they that do not love do not know You. I choose to love men and not judge them. Thank you for reminding me that even in any one’s weakness, You are able to uphold them and keep them from falling! This wisdom works in me, to the glory of Your name. Amen.

Accord Him No Place

Apostle Grace Lubega

Ephesians 4:27 (KJV); Neither give place to the devil.

Every manifestation of evil in the life of a Christian is because that Christian gave place to the devil.

This is why our theme scripture warns us not give a PLACE to the devil.

The Greek word for “place” is “topos” which is translated to mean opportunity, power, ability or permission to act.

In the divine will and plan of God, the devil has no power or authority to act in your life.

It is you who gives him this opportunity and permission when you disregard the divine principles of preservation.

The devil only acts based on your terms and conditions and he does so to the extent that you allow him.

Giving no place to the devil is the refusal to give him any opportunity or permission to act in your life.

In fact, when we speak of giving him an opportunity, his greatest opportunities in the life of the believer are the believer’s THOUGHTS and the believer’s WORDS.

This is why you must have mastery over both your thoughts and the confession of your lips.

ALIGN THEM TO THE WORD OF GOD because therein is your victory. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: James 4:7, Philemon 1:6, John 14:30 (AMP)

GOLDEN NUGGET:

The devil’s greatest opportunities in the life of the believer are the believer’s THOUGHTS and the believer’s WORDS. This is why you must have mastery over both your thoughts and the confession of your lips. Align them to the Word of God because therein is your victory.

PRAYER: My Father, I am grateful for today’s Word. I thank You because the prince of this world has nothing in me. Regardless of what may come my way, I choose to behold You. I do not observe lying vanities and can never forsake my mercies. My soul is anchored in You and it’s only You Lord that holds the place, power and full control over my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Folly In Judging Others

 Apostle Grace Lubega

Galatians 6:1 (AMP); Brethren, If any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also.

It is possible to fall into temptation for the same thing you have judged a sister or brother.

This is why our theme scripture requires that you “restore and reinstate him WITHOUT ANY SENSE OF SUPERIORITY…LEST YOU SHOULD BE TEMPTED ALSO.”

It is a good thing to seek to restore a fellow brother or sister but the Bible has set out clear principles and patterns for doing so and our theme scripture presents one of these patterns and principles.

Sometimes, fellow Christians criticise, ridicule and openly condemn fellow brethren in the name of restoration.

They do so with a sense of superiority as mentioned in our theme scripture.

I have learnt that people only feel morally superior because their faults are not public.

The fact is that we are all a work in progress and as such, none of us is perfect in the flesh.

If you treat sisters and brothers like they are lesser than you simply because they did something wrong, the Bible warns that you too will be tempted.

It means that you may find yourself entangled by the same weakness or something worse.

Restoration requires maturity and this maturity is grounded in love.

So, beloved saint, make the choice to love above judgment for this is the way of they that understand the bond of Christian brotherhood.

FURTHER STUDY: Romans 14:4; Luke 6:37

GOLDEN NUGGET:

Restoration of the brethren requires maturity and this maturity is grounded in love

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I give You praise for this day. Thank You for this instruction on the perfect and excellent way of love. There are many choices that present themselves to us every day; things we might do because we think we are justified or because we have been hurt, but in all, I choose love and will choose it over and over again. I make the choice this day never to judge my brethren but to be constrained by the love that covers a multitude of sins. To the glory of Your name. Amen.

The Tyranny Of Traditions

Apostle Grace Lubega

Acts 10:12-14 (KJV); Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.

Our Lord and master Jesus Christ appeared to Apostle Peter with a divine instruction for him to “kill and eat” certain creatures that had appeared on a white sheet from heaven.

Peter, stuck in the traditions of his forefathers, boldly told the master, “Not so, Lord.”

This was repeated three times! Peter refused!(Acts 10:16).

Because of tradition, Peter frustrated a spiritual experience.

This was a new dispensation that God was introducing him to.

Sadly, he refused to heed to the voice of the Spirit.

Tradition can lock you out of the new experiences and revelations that God has purposed for your life.

In Peter’s case, it blinded him from the fact that it was the Christ who was asking him to do as instructed.

At this point, tradition was more important to Peter than the relationship he had with his Lord.

Beloved saint, always be ready to progress past what you think you know and have been taught over the years.

Allow the Spirit of God to launch you into new and fresh experiences of His person.

His name be praised!

FURTHER STUDY: Titus 1:14, Mark 7:13

GOLDEN NUGGET:
Always be ready to progress past what you think you know and have been taught over the years. Allow the Spirit of God to launch you into new and fresh experiences of His person.

PRAYER: Most excellent Lord, I give You praise for this day. Thank You for the wisdom to behold You as You truly are. I thank You Father because Your Word fills my heart. I live in the newness of revelation and the daily experiences of the Spirit. I yield to divine instruction and the depths that You launch me into daily. In Jesus name. Amen.

The Believer

 Apostle Grace Lubega

1 Corinthians 1:18 (MSG); The Message that points to Christ on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hell bent on destruction, but for those on the way of salvation it makes perfect sense…..

For long, believers have been considered as “good” people who are wonderful parents, attend church faithfully and are commendable employees or employers.

Christianity has been tagged to moral uprightness as its qualifier. Morality is a very good thing but there is more to being a believer in Christ Jesus than simply having good morals.

Sadly, this has also defined the pattern of the sermons and teachings in the Church of Christ. In certain places, Christians are only being encouraged to be good people.

There is more. There is a crazy side to the believer.
The scriptures say, “The message of the cross is foolishness to those that are perishing…” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

It’s high time we started to preach a full gospel, even though it may sound like foolishness to those of this world.

Let the men of this world hear deeper words of this life come off from our pulpits and wonder; then we will be preaching.

Let the boundaries of our faith stretch to the point which is seen as impossible by the world, then we will be preaching!

Let our words come with the weight of the revelation of what no eye has seen, no ear has heard and what has not been imagined by men.
Then we will be preaching!

FURTHER STUDY: John 11:40, Mark 11:23

GOLDEN NUGGET:

We ought to preach a gospel that sounds like foolishness to those of this world. Let the men of this world hear deeper words of this life come off from our pulpits and wonder; then we will be preaching. Let the boundaries of our faith stretch to the point which is seen as impossible by the world, then we will be preaching!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You because I walk in this wisdom every day of my life. I am a distinctive believer! The words from my spirit are great words; the earth cannot contain them because they can only take a God to perform. Wisdom is upon my lips and puts to shame the wisdom of this world. I refuse to speak like an ordinary man. My life is a stream of endless possibilities! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Transition Of Ancient Oil – 2

Apostle Grace Lubega

Gen 49:26 (AMP); The blessings of your father [on you] are greater than the blessings of my forefathers [Abraham and Isaac on me] and are as lasting as the bounties of the eternal hills; they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him who was the consecrated one and the one separated from his brethren and [the one who] is prince among them.

In our theme scripture, the Spirit of God reveals to us a fundamental tenet of the “transition of ancient oil”; this is the fact that in every subsequent generation, the anointing increases.

This is why Jacob says, “the blessings of your father [on you] are greater than the blessings of my forefathers [Abraham and Isaac on me]: what Joseph received from Jacob was greater than what Jacob had received from Isaac; what Jacob received from Isaac was greater than what Isaac received from Abraham.

And so it is up to this day. The transition of ancient oil in every generation is a “from glory to glory” experience.

The anointing operating in our lives in this generation is greater than that which functioned in the generations before us.

Indeed, we have heard of the fathers of the faith like Smith Wigglesworth who raised tens from the dead; God expects our generation to do more because the supply of the anointing is greater.

Men like Alexander Dowie demonstrated the healing power of God so mightily that doctors in Zion Illinois were put out of work; God expects our generation to do more!

We come from a long line of God-men that defied the forces of nature, revived continents by the power of God and turned the world upside down.

History has written their stories for this one cause; that we do more because these men and women were only the example but never the standard.

The transition of ancient oil demands that we do what no eye has seen, ear has heard nor has entered into the hearts of men. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: John 14:12, 1 Corinthians 2:9

GOLDEN NUGGET:

The transition of ancient oil in every generation is a “from glory to glory” experience. The anointing operating in our lives in this generation is greater than that which has functioned in the generations before us.

PRAYER: My loving Father, I thank You for what You are up to in this day. I thank You for the understanding that in this generation, there is a greater supply of the anointing than in the generations before. I choose to live a life of power because I know what the anointing can do. I am changing this generation because I carry such precious knowledge. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Transition Of Ancient Oil

Apostle Grace Lubega

2 Timothy 1:5 (KJV); When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

In our theme scripture, while speaking to his beloved son Timothy, the apostle Paul calls to remembrance the unfeigned faith in Timothy, which faith firstly dwelt in his grandmother Lois and was also found in his mother Eunice.

Right here, we see a very deep wisdom in God, which is the “transition of ancient oil”.

Ancient oil is the sum total of the wisdom, principles, manifestations of glory and the patterns by which the anointing worked through they that came before us; it is how God walked with our fathers; how He made Himself known to them and how the Spirit vindicated them as servants of the Most High.

There is a pattern in the spirit by which this ancient oil transitions from one generation to the next.

In some generations, there has been a cut off of the flow of it because the receiving generation did not understand the patterns and principles of drawing from ancient wells.

Take for example the transition of the oil in the line of Elijah the prophet. Elijah passed on his mantle to Elisha. Elisha received from Elijah because he understood the principles by which we drink from the ancients.

Sadly however, Gehazi, who was the next in line after Elisha was indifferent to the anointing and how it works and as such, he was cut off from this line of transition. He did not receive any mantle from Elisha and only ended up as a leper (2 Kings 5:27).

One of the key principles in the transition of ancient oil is the infallible truth that every new birth comes from an “old womb”. No man can drink from ancient wells without giving honour to “ancient wombs.”

This means that you have to understand the fact that certain men and women that came before you add to you.

Timothy could only function in a higher dimension of faith by honouring the fact that it started from his grandmother Lois, was passed onto his mother and eventually to Him. Elisha could only perform twice as many miracles as Elijah because he honoured the man that came before him.

Never be deceived; no man is self-made.

Learn from those that came before you; if there are teachings available, do everything to invest in these gold mines of knowledge because there is an anointing that rests in these “bones.”

FURTHER STUDY: 2 Kings 5, 2 Kings 13:21

GOLDEN NUGGET:

One of the key principles in the transition of ancient oil is the infallible truth that every new birth comes from an “old womb”. No man can drink from ancient wells without giving honour to “ancient wombs.” This means that you have to understand the fact that certain men and women that came before you add to you.

PRAYER: My loving Father, I thank You for such priceless wisdom. I humble myself and yield my spirit to receive that which You have availed for me as ancient oil. I walk in the patterns that grow me in this understanding and by this, I mature daily in the things of the Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Understanding Your Part

Apostle Grace Lubega

Acts 8:21 (KJV); Thou hast neither PART NOR LOT in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

God is up to something incredibly great in our day.

Some people understand it, others are merely excited by it while others are completely indifferent to it.

Regardless of who you are and how you perceive the move of the Spirit in this day, the wheels of divine purpose are in motion and nothing in heaven or on earth can stop them.

We are in a dispensation of the broadness of the Word of God, where knowledge is increasing and God is pouring out revelation in mighty torrents.

This move of the Spirit is a move of knowledge.

It means that for any man or woman to play their part in what God is doing in this day, they ought to start from the plane of knowledge.

The Bible speaks of Mary in Luke 10:42 and says, “But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that GOOD PART, which shall not be taken away from her.”

This was not just any “part.”

It was her part in the ministry of Christ and of the gospel in that day.

It was in her part to anoint Christ’s body before his death because any time afterwards would have been too late, like it was the case with the other women who came to Christ’s tomb after His resurrection.

But all of this started from knowledge; she sat at His feet to listen to the Word.

You can only understand your part IN knowledge. This is not about knowing that you are an apostle, a prophet, teacher, pastor or evangelist.

This is also not about knowing that you have been called to serve in the choir, as an usher or in any other capacity in your ministry.

This is knowledge preceding service or ministry; it is prophesying in knowledge; pastoring in knowledge; teaching in knowledge; ushering in knowledge or worshipping in knowledge.

The end of this grace is this: “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”(Habakkuk 2:14).

It does not mean that knowledge will physically cover the earth; it means that the earth will be filled by men and women who carry the knowledge of God.

So, invest in knowledge; study the Word of God, let Christ teach you Himself; allow your spirit to be open to revelation because it is available.

For anyone who hungers and thirsts, God is more than ready to fill them.

FURTHER STUDY: Habakkuk 2:14, Daniel 12:4

GOLDEN NUGGET:

You can only understand your part IN knowledge. This is not about knowing that you are an apostle, a prophet, teacher, pastor or evangelist. This is also not about knowing that you have been called to serve in the choir, as an usher or in any other capacity in your ministry. This is knowledge preceding service or ministry; it is prophesying in knowledge; pastoring in knowledge; teaching in knowledge; ushering in knowledge or worshipping in knowledge.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for this Word. What a blessing to be alive in these days and witness not just the miracles of healings and deliverance but the miracle of the Word! You have promised that when I call unto you, you shall show me great and mighty things that I do not know. My spirit is open to receive the things you desire to show me. What comes out of me by way of revelation is what no man has seen, no ear has heard and has not entered into the hearts of men. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Separated For Significance

Apostle Grace Lubega

2 Kings 2:14-15 (KJV); And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over. And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.

When the Lord told Elijah that He had seven thousand prophets that had not bowed to Baal (1 King 19:18), the sons of the prophet mentioned in our theme scripture were among them.

God had preserved and owned them. They were set apart in their generation.

More so, God did not preserve them so they would die as normal men.

Sadly, there is not much to their story. They died simply as prophets but not with the distinction that Elijah or Elisha carried.

I have seen this sorry pattern in our Christian walk today.

From where does this start?

Sometimes, the preservations of God upon our lives are an illusion that blind many from pursuing greater exploits in Him.

Christians get comfortable under the canopy of blessings in God: disease and evil is far from them; they are at peace with their enemies and favour pursues them.

For this alone, they choose to die as normal prophets, apostles, teachers and evangelists.

You are not preserved by God so that you fade into insignificance. No!

Never allow the cover of blessings to be the reason why you do not stand out of the crowd and be counted for the cause of the kingdom of God.

Like Elijah, you should be bold enough to stand before kings and decree the greatness of the power of the God you serve regardless of the consequences.

Like Elisha, when duty and purpose calls you should be able to leave all that you know behind and pursue the greater cause of the call of God.

God be praised!

FURTHER STUDY: 1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6

GOLDEN NUGGET:

You are not preserved by God so that you fade into insignificance. Never allow the cover of blessings to be the reason why you do not stand out of the crowd and be counted for the cause of the kingdom of God.

PRAYER: My Lord, I thank you for this knowledge. I am not a normal person. You have not created me to be ordinary. I am a prophet with distinction; an apostle with distinction; an evangelist with distinction; a teacher with distinction. I am a voice in my nation, to this world and to this generation. I can never be blinded by the things that the gift and the calling attract but choose to live the fullness of the life you have set out for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.