Things That Make Ministers: The Word

Apostle Grace Lubega

Acts 19:20(KJV); So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

I have been a minister of the gospel long enough to see some men of God craftily handle the Word of God because they have not given themselves to the intent study of it.

For example, a pastor may stand before a congregation, open the Bible and land on a scripture that starts with “And Jesus went…” And from that, he builds his sermon.

“Because Jesus went, you are also going somewhere… you are going to your next job, you are going to your next business deal, you are going to your marriage… you are going…!”

Sometimes, the church would get so excited but with no proper understanding of where they were going or how to get there. They were merely excited but without revelation.

Some ministers do not understand the most basic writings of the New Testament, what Paul calls the elementary or first principles of the oracles (Hebrews 5:12).

Thus, we live in a generation where what people are fed on is not even the SINCERE milk of the Word of God but the semantics of crafty preachers.

It begs the question, how much of the teachings on our pulpits reveal the person of Christ?

How many accurately demystify the mystery of Melchizedek, of the true minister of the sanctuary and go past Peter’s revelation of Him being the Christ of God? How many teachings are truly building on the foundation that Paul laid, to “raise walls, windows and doors” of the great structure that is the Church?

The deception is because some men of God can demonstrate the Spirit, and so people assume that they know God and His Word.

Our theme scripture says that in Ephesus, the Word of God mightily grew and prevailed.

The Church of Christ is steadily and continuously advancing against the gates of hell but it is because of the Word that those gates cannot stand our attacks.

The Word of God is bigger than any demonstration of the spirit recorded in history, it is life!

Perhaps, we are not seeing God like we ought, because we are not teaching the truth.

When the Christ is lifted up, He draws men unto himself (John 12:32). When the fruit of your mouth reveals Christ, your ministry will not fail. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Hebrews 5:12, John 12:32

GOLDEN NUGGET:
The Church of Christ is steadily and continuously advancing against the gates of hell but it is because of the Word that those gates cannot stand our attacks. The Word of God is bigger than any demonstration of the spirit recorded in history, it is the life of God.

PRAYER: My Lord, your Word is great. It prevails over circumstances and it is the power with which we advance against the gates of hell. I have victory in this word and walk triumphantly in its glory. I choose to give myself to the Word knowing that it makes men, that it is the source of testimony and that by it I have overcome. By your word I am taking over territories to the glory of your name. Amen.

Things That Make Ministers: The Arm Of Flesh

Apostle Grace Lubega

John 2:24-25(AMP); But Jesus [for His part] did not trust Himself to them, because He knew all [men]; And He did not need anyone to bear witness concerning man [needed no evidence from anyone about men], for He Himself knew what was in human nature. [He could read men’s hearts.]

Every minister ought to understand that it is by God’s sufficiency that he [the minister] pays the ultimate price for his ministry; he ought not to expect other men to do so for him on their own.

Yes, God will use men, but it will not be in the ability of those men, but His faithfulness and love toward the minister.

I have seen pastors whose ministries are dependent on their richest members in material terms.

Some even hand over decision making power in the ministry to such individuals while others lean heavily on politicians in their congregations for favour and a source of continuity.

The Bible says that Jesus did not commit Himself to men because He knew what was in them: He did not submit Himself to their influence [even when they believed in Him) because He knew that men are fickle by nature.

In fact, He was proved right by the events leading up to His death on the cross.

Multitudes used to follow Him.

During the triumphant entry, these same multitudes sang praises to Him and hailed Him as He entered Jerusalem (Matthew 21).

But where did they all go when He was arrested and crucified?

Even the twelve that previously went everywhere with Him disappeared at his hour of crisis (Matthew 26:56).

Never trust a man for what God can do. Never put your trust in the arm of flesh. If you do, the scriptures reveal that it will surely fail you (Jeremiah 17:5-6).

As a minister, people are not the reason why you stand, God is! He is your source and will uphold, sustain, increase and multiply you. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Matthew 26:56, Jeremiah 17:5-6

GOLDEN NUGGET:

Never trust a man for what God can do. Never put your trust in the arm of flesh. As a minister, people are not the reason why you stand, God is! He is your source and will uphold, sustain, increase and multiply you.

PRAYER: My loving father, you are my source and sustenance. I lean on you with all my heart. My trust can never be in myself or even in other men. Like you were the inheritance of the Levite, I know that you are my portion and inheritance. My favour, increase, glory and honour are from you. I know that I am called of you. Lord you cannot call a man and not sustain him. You cannot call a man and not keep him. You cannot call a man and not uphold him. I look to you always, knowing that I am in capable hands. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

He Counts Us Faithful

Apostle Grace Lubega

1 Timothy 1:12-14 (KJV); And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Faithfulness in the things of God is key.

But what is faithfulness in the mind of God?

Paul reveals that God COUNTED him faithful; He did not FIND him faithful but considered him faithful.

The Lord did not base this on the fact that Paul was doing the things that faithful people do.

He was looked at as faithful even when he was still a persecutor, blasphemous and injurious to the body of Christ.

Our faithfulness is not primarily because we do things that demonstrate faithfulness.

Even before we do any such things, God COUNTS us faithful.
Paul says that God separated him from his mother’s womb and called him by His grace (Galatians 1:15).

Like Paul, when you reflect on your life before salvation, you were not the most trust worthy person for that calling with which now you serve God.

You probably used to despise born again Christians and considered them a nuisance; most likely, you hated church and the idea of praying.

But God looked past all this and still saw the apostle, pastor, prophet, teacher or evangelist in you.

Even in your mischief, God still saw the master soul winner in you.

He consecrated, separated, called and presented you as a worthy minister and counted you faithful. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Galatians 1:15, Romans 8:30

GOLDEN NUGGET:
Our faithfulness is not primarily because we do things that demonstrate faithfulness. Even before we do any such things, God counts us faithful.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for your grace. Your Word says that even while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us; you loved us before we ever loved you and you counted us faithful before we ever did anything to demonstrate that we are. You impute precious righteousness on us every day, calling the things that are not as though they were. We are who we are because of what you say and not because of who we try to be. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Dreamer

Apostle Grace Lubega

Genesis‬ 37:9-11 (KJV)‬; And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me. And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth? And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.

Joseph was what some may call an ordinary child. He was neither the first born nor the mightiest of all the children of Israel.

However, one day, something happened that changed the course of his destiny and the entire direction of his life.

JOSEPH HAD A DREAM!

His dreams earned him the hatred of his brothers and the change in his father’s countenance toward him.

Understand that Joseph did not pray for such a dream or its implications.

He did not spend days seeking God for a time when his family would bow to him. This blessing found him. Praise God!

The sequence of events that followed was not because Joseph had “a spirit of rejection” but because he was a dreamer.

His own brothers staged his early “death” and he was sold into slavery. He was then taken to prison for years, all because he was a dreamer.

You may identify with Joseph’s story.

It might be that people have rejected you; your own family looks at you as though you are the scum of the earth. But do not despair!

Some of these tests follow a dreamer.
Hold onto the things God has revealed to you and the convictions that He has placed in your spirit.

Keep your eyes on the prize and not the afflictions that seem to deter you from the vision God has set before you.

Your friends may abandon you in crisis, your family may barter you to the highest bidder, and yourself-worth might feel like it’s at rock bottom but never forget that you are a dreamer!

Surely, you will live to see the goodness of God in the land of the living (Psalms 27:13). Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Romans 8:28, Jeremiah 29:11

GOLDEN NUGGET:

Your friends may abandon you in crisis, your family may barter you to the highest bidder and your self-worth might feel like it’s at rock bottom but never forget that you are a dreamer! Surely, you will live to see the goodness of God in the land of the living.

PRAYER: Father in the name of Jesus, I thank you for this word. I thank you because you set me up. I can never be rejected. The dream you have set before me can never die. It does not matter what I face. My eyes are set on you and not on my circumstances. I know you have a good plan for my life, to prosper me and not to harm me. All things are working for my good. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Why We Preach The Grace: The Power Within

Apostle Grace Lubega

Jeremiah 10:23(AMP); O Lord [pleads Jeremiah in the name of the people], I know that [the determination of] the way of a man is not in himself; it is not in man [even in a strong man or in a man at his best] to direct his [own] steps.

Our theme scripture reveals that it is not in the power of a man to direct his way.

This means that every man is under the influence of a higher power.

This can either be God or the devil, there is no middle ground.

Indeed, the Lord has given us free will and this guarantees our ability to make the choice of either life or death, light or darkness.

However, this free will allows you to choose the spirit under whose influence you will be but not your way once you are under the influence of any such spirit.When you yield to either the Spirit of God or that of the devil, either of them determines your way.

It is not in a man to pray, fast,by his own volition or choice.

It is because of this very truth that we Christians deeply respect the Spirit of grace that directs our steps.

This conviction continually reminds us that it is God working in us both to will and to do according to His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).

When we worship, pray or give, we do not do so by our own leading. Our ways are ordered by the Lord. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Philippians 2:13, Psalms 37:23

GOLDEN NUGGET:
When we worship, pray or give, we do not do so by our own leading. Our ways are ordered by the Lord.

PRAYER: My loving father, I thank you for your Word. Thank you for the assurance that you order my steps. It is you at work in me both to will and to do according to your good pleasure. I yield to the leading of your Spirit and to the power of your grace. My life finds direction in and by you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Authority Of The Church Of Christ

Apostle Grace Lubega

Joshua 6:2(KJV); And the Lord said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.

When the Lord assured Joshua of his victory over Jericho, He told him that he had given him that nation and its king.
Kings are subject to men of God.

It should be a GREATER blessing for the king to meet a man or woman of God. The kings of this world ought to know the value of the anointing!

Indeed, we ought to give our leaders honour as is required of us by God.
However, it is a biblical truth that heavenly offices are greater than earthly offices.

Sadly, we live in a time when men of God are struggling to meet kings.

This is not the order of the scriptures. In the Bible, kings always sought for the men of God.

Kings should come to your rising because you are a bright and shining light (Isaiah 60:3).

God has elevated you to a place where the leaders of this world will seek you; a place where they will feel blessed to meet and confer with you. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Isaiah 60:3, Revelation 1:6

GOLDEN NUGGET:

Kings should come to your rising because you are a bright and shining light. God has elevated you to a place where the leaders of this world will seek you; a place where they will feel blessed to meet and confer with you.

PRAYER: Great and loving father, I thank you for the privilege of being your child. Thank you because you have crowned me with glory and I carry influence in the spirit. Kings come to my rising because I am shining. Wise and great men seek me for counsel. Before the presidents of this world make policies, they seek me for wisdom. Before prime ministers make decisions they seek my advice. To the glory of your name! Amen.

The Allegory Of The Brasen Serpent: Traditions

Apostle Grace Lubega

2 Kings 18:1-4 (KJV); Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, [that] Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign. Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also [was] Abi, the daughter of Zachariah. And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did. He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and BRAKE IN PIECES THE BRASEN SERPENT THAT MOSES HAD MADE: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.

When dealing with the things of God, it is important for us to seek the mind of the Spirit and the revelation behind every experience lest we imitate traditions of old that preserve monuments but without life and power.

If we do not do so, we make the Word of God void of power and of no effect because of our traditions (Mark 7:13).

The apostle Paul shares a sobering thought in 1 Corinthians 14:20. He says, “Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.”

It is required of every child of God to be mature in understanding.

From our theme scripture, it is sad to note that several years after the death of Moses, the brass serpent was still hanging on that pole and had acquired the status of an idol in Israel.

The brasen serpent that had brought healing in the time of Moses (Numbers 21:8-9) had to be destroyed by Hezekiah because the children of Israel had placed their faith in it without the revelation of this experience.

Most times, when God uses some material medium to perform a miracle, the people begin to go after that thing, instead of the one who has the power to perform the miracle, with or without that medium.

Whenever people turn their eyes to the physical things which they can see or touch, they loose sight of God.

God may give a specific instruction concerning using a material thing such as a handkerchief or oil to heal the sick or to demonstrate power. That particular instruction does not sum up how He operates; He does not want us to build a doctrine around it. Rather He wants us to live by faith in His person and not in the forms in which He manifests.
Praise Him!

FURTHER STUDY: Mark 7:13, Hebrews 10:38

GOLDEN NUGGET:

When dealing with the things of God, it is important for us to seek the mind of the Spirit and the revelation behind every experience lest we imitate traditions of old that preserve monuments but without life and power.

PRAYER: My Lord, I am grateful for your wonderful Word. I receive it with understanding and I have the revelation of the experiences of the Spirit. My faith is in you and not the elements that melt away. My experiences in you are fresh and they are an everyday occurrence in my life. In Jesus’ name.

The Allegory Of The Brasen Serpent: Our Victory

Apostle Grace Lubega

Numbers 21:8-9 (KJV); And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

In John 3:14, Jesus makes reference to our theme scripture and says, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.”

Why is Jesus typified as the serpent of brass?

In the scriptures, brass symbolises judgement while the serpent is a symbol of sin.

While at the cross, Jesus became sin. (2 Corinthians 5:21).

This means that sin was judged, and anybody who looked at He (Jesus) who was made sin and judged for it lived.

Jesus is the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29).

He was manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).

Sin, disease, poverty and any other form of suffering are works of the devil. Jesus Christ’s mission was to come and destroy the works of the devil which He did! As such, He said, “It is finished” (John 19:30).

When we look to Him, we have victory over sin, disease, suffering and any form of affliction including death!
Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: 2 Corithians 2:14, 1 John 3:8

GOLDEN NUGGET:

When we look to Jesus, we have victory over sin, disease, suffering and any form of affliction including death!

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for this Word. I rejoice in the victory that is guaranteed in Christ. I know that I am more than a conqueror. I look to you my Lord, in the understanding that sin, affliction and every work of the enemy is judged. Even as I continue to behold you, the things of this world grow strangely deem. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Why We Preach The Grace: Unbroken Fellowship

Apostle Grace Lubega

Romans 6:10-11(AMP); For the death that He died, He died to sin [ending its power and paying the sinner’s debt] once and for all; and the life that He lives, He lives to [glorify] God [in unbroken fellowship with Him]. Even so, consider yourselves dead to sin [and your relation to it broken], but alive to God [in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus

Our theme scripture reveals that Jesus Christ lives in unbroken fellowship with the Father.

This is the same privilege that God has accorded you as His child.

Fellowship with God does not depend on how you feel or what you have done to please God. In the newness of life in Christ, it has everything to do with where Jesus is.

That is why the Bible says “even so, consider yourselves to be dead to sin [and your relation to it broken], but alive to God [in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus.”

You ought to think and believe in your spirit that you are one with God and are in constant fellowship with Him. It begins from a faith perspective, that the grace may be multiplied unto you. It can only be of faith that it may be of grace(Romans 4:16).

FURTHER STUDY: Romans 4:16, 1 John 1:3

GOLDEN NUGGET:

Fellowship with God does not depend on how you feel or what you have done to please God. In the newness of life in Christ, it has everything to do with where Jesus is.

PRAYER: Father, I am grateful for your Word. Thank you for the gift of grace that grants me immeasurable privileges in you. I stand in the knowledge that I am in constant communion with you. My spirit is exercised in this knowledge every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Results by Love

Apostle Grace Lubega

1 John 4:18 (AMP); There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection].

When a Christian is not perfected in the love of God, it is very hard for them to produce results of the Spirit.

Anyone who is not perfected in the love of God always has problems receiving from God.

The scripture says, “This is love made perfect that you may have confidence on that day, that as He is so are we in this world” (1 John 4:17).

Which day does the scripture refer to? The day you were diagnosed with a terminal illness, the day when they find HIV in your relative’s blood, the day when you lose your job or the day you receive any such bad news. In any crisis, the perfection of the love of God relates you to Him such that you ought to respond like He responds.

The opposite of love is fear and we haven’t received the spirit of bondage again to fear but of power, love and a sound mind because fear has torment.

This means when a man carries a spirit of fear, he is in constant torment.

The reason why some Christians fail is because they carry fear in their spirits.

When you have not understood that God loves you, it is easy to assume that certain bad things will happen to you and the beginning of this assumption starts to attract all these bad things.

Child of God, you must believe that God loves you too much to let certain things happen to you.

In every area of our lives, God has called us to remind ourselves of His love. Praise Him!

FURTHER STUDY: 1 John 4:17, 2 Timothy 1:7

GOLDEN NUGGET:

When you are not perfected in the love of God, it is very hard to produce results. Child of God, you must believe that God loves you too much to let certain things happen to you.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for your word. I thank you because you have given me the Spirit of power, love and a sound mind. Your love is shed abroad in my heart by the HolyGhost. Thank you Lord because I am established and grounded in it. I carry a consciousness that you love me and can never let anything evil come near my dwelling. With this mind I am producing results. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

The Secret Of Results: The Ruled Spirit

Apostle Grace Lubega

Proverbs 25:28 (KJV); He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.‬

A city that is broken down and without walls is exposed to attacks and can easily be plundered.

As indicated by our theme scripture, if you don’t know how to control your spirit, you are exposed to any form of attack; no matter how much you pray or fast.

A Christian who is exposed to any form of attack is one of whom the Bible speaks and says that he or she can be taken captive by the enemy at his own will (2 Timothy 2:26).

It means that when the devil wants to inflict them with disease, he does it at a mere whim of his.

If he wants to destroy their property, he will destroy it because they are defenceless. It is very ungodly for a Christian to be at the mercy of the enemy!

The Bible says, “The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity and a wounded spirit, who can bear”(Proverbs 18:14).

Infirmity in this case means weakness, sickness, affliction or attack. God has created your spirit with a certain ability to withstand anything.

This means that everything that happens in your life is a result of the state of your spirit.
Sometimes, people don’t need deliverance services, they need to be taught the Word of God enough that it brings healing to their spirits.

When their spirits are healed, they can withstand anything.

FURTHER STUDY: 2Timothy 2:24-25, Hebrews 4:12

GOLDEN NUGGET:

Everything that happens in your life is a result of the state of your spirit.

PRAYER: Father in the name of Jesus, I thank you for your word. Thank you that my spirit is ruled. I am kept and preserved by your power. My spirit is healthy. The Lord is the health of my countenance. I am strengthened by God. I am energized from within. In Jesus’s name, Amen.