THE PRICE OF OBEDIENCE

Pr. James Victor Lubwama

John 10:27 (AMP)

“The sheep that are My own hear My voice and listen to Me; I know them, and they follow Me.”

One of the questions we ask oursleves sometimes is; why do some Christians remain in a state similar to that of unbelievers to the extent that even those around them start to doubt the power of Salvation?

When we ask God for something, He does not necessarily respond immediately because He has a set time in which He works; even when He has confirmed that He has given you what you asked for, you still need to wait a while for it to come to pass. For instance a cheque only matures after you have banked it, that’s when you can receive money - the earthly things should teach you a lot about heavenly things. Jesus says in John 3:12 (NKJV) that; “If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?” 

Likewise two people saying a prayer at the same time does not mean they get a response at the same time because God’s plan towards us is unique. Therefore as you wait for what God promised, you need to stand on His word and with faith, patienly wait upon Him in faith - faith in God includes having faith in His timing.

Whenever you receive a word from God, the enemy will endeavor to attack you - He will use facts of life, people around you and your thoughts to cause chaos. Some people complain that God has not yet blessed them and, God is saying that indeed I have not yet done so since I have not yet given you a word. The word that causes God to act is that which proceeds from His mouth. The Rhema word should agree with the written word as the two cannot be separated. The bible says in 1 John 5:7 (NKJV) “For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit: and these three are one.” 

The word prophesied unto you by a servant of God or the Holy Spirit is the word that will not return void. God assures us in Isaiah 55:11 (NKJV) that; “So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." 

That word from God is a sign of His commitment because if He said it, he will also do it (Isaiah 46:11). When God gives you a prophesy or promises you something, do whatever you can to ensure that you fight the negative spirits that seek to hinder your promise; and if God asks you to give or offer, you should give cheerfully because God loves a cheerful giver and a tearful giver. It is the Holy Spirit that convicts us to give and whenever you feel the urge to give, know that God is pushing you to sow a seed which will bring fruits in your life. The bible teaches in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (MSG) that; “Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. 7 I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.”

God paid a high price for our redemption and the bible says in 1 Corinthians 6:20 (NLT) that; “For God bought you with a high price…..” He purchased us at a price just like the way we sacrifice to acquire valuable items - you cannot take something valuable without paying a price. We all need to sacrifice or pay a price for what we desire. If God had not bought us at a price, He would not have claimed us even though we are His.

Obedience is a Price!

When do you pay the price and who decides? It is God the creator Himself.  The bible says in Psalms 24:1 (NIV) “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;” 

God is in our hearts and He is able to sit there according to Luke 17:21 (AMP); “For behold, the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you].” 

Because He dwells in our heart, He speaks with a small still voice and sometimes He burdens our hearts. You have not received what you desire because you have not yet paid a price and you do not know the price to pay because you do not have a relationship with the one who sets the price - the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit is in you, He will be able to communicate with you. You have no relationship with the Holy Spirit because you have no fellowship with Him, and there is no fellowship because you are not yet in agreement with Him. The scripture says in John 10:27 (AMP) that; “The sheep that are My own hear My voice and listen to Me……”

From the scripture above, let’s look at the meaning of the key words – hear and listen.

1-  Hear – to perceive with the ear the sound made by (someone or something). Your spiritual ears must be fine-tuned – right standing to be able to hear from your creator. It’s only the sheep – God’s children that can hear from Him; those in fellowship with the Holy Spirit.

2-  Listen – to take notice of and act on what someone says; respond to advice or a request. When you hear, you have got to act as instructed not as you please – that’s obedience.

Disobedience hinders fellowship with the Holy Spirit; you may think you have not sinned because you have not committed murder, but also unforgiveness, and jealousy are equivalent to all other sins; what looks minor to you is sin in the eyes of God and keeps you from having fellowship with the Holy Spirit, and once that fellowship is lacking, you will never know the price, and that is why some believers will die without receiving what was prophesied unto them. The bible says in Hebrews 11:13 (AMP) that; “All these died in faith [guided and sustained by it], without receiving the [tangible fulfillment of God’s] promises, only having seen (anticipated) them and having welcomed them from a distance……..”

Some believers think that doing religious acts is the same as paying the price which is wrong - giving does not necessarily mean you are paying a price, however, when you feel convicted and give or offer painfully, you are paying a price. Looking at the example of the widow in Luke 21:3-4 (ESV), Jesus said; “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them.  3 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” 

Jesus recognized the widow’s offering because she had given painfully. However, the rich man did not give painfully and his giving was not sacrificial. The scripture says in Genesis 3:16 that; in pain will you bring forth children, and it also says in Psalms 126:6 (AMP) that; “He who goes back and forth weeping, carrying his bag of seed [for planting], will indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” 

Obey and Respect the Anointing

The anointing you respect is the anointing that will transform and bless you; until you respect the anointing in the church, you will never get anything! Our spiritual fathers are custodians of the things of God here on earth and if they are pleased they can release a blessing. 

You will never eat good things until you have obeyed. God is seeking your obedience. In the book of Isaiah 1:20 (ESV) it is written; “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.” 

Abraham paid the price when he hosted and fed the angels of God. Once the angels had eaten and were satisfied and pleased, they prophesied that Sarah would have a son. Those three men were a manifestation of the trinity (God the father, Son and Holy Spirit). The price Abraham paid ushered him into his promise of being a father of many nations (Genesis 17:4). God had made a covenant with Abraham that he will make him a father of many nations but he was old and without child, so in order for him to enter into his promises, he paid a price as seen in Genesis 18:1-10 (NLV) below;

“The Lord showed Himself to Abraham by the oak trees of Mamre, as he sat at the tent door in the heat of the day. 2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them. He put his face to the ground 3 and said, “My lord, if I have found favor in your eyes, please do not pass by your servant. 4 Let us have a little water brought to wash your feet. Rest yourselves under the tree. 5 And I will get a piece of bread so you may eat and get strength. After that you may go on your way, since you have come to your servant.” The men said, “Do as you have said.” 6 So Abraham ran into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Hurry and get three pails of fine flour, mix it well, and make bread.” 7 Then Abraham ran to the cattle and took out a young and good calf. He gave it to the servant to make it ready in a hurry. 8 He took milk and cheese and the meat which he had made ready, and set it in front of them. He stood by them under the tree while they ate. 9 Then they said to him, “Where is your wife Sarah?” And he said, “There in the tent.” 10 The Lord said, “I will be sure to return to you at this time next year. And your wife Sarah will have a son.” Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him.” 

Faith – God’s word activated

You need to learn to activate your faith because God likes people who are doers not hearers of the word. You will never cross over to your Canaan until you walk on water – act in faith, i.e. hear, obey and act the word. The bible says in Romans 10:17 (NKJV) that; “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” 

As we said earlier, before God works, He speaks first; and thus before you act, you have got to first hear from the mouth of God. Faith is God’s word activated. Faith comes into play when you hear and act; but you need to be cautious because faith is not a risk undertaking but it comes by hearing from God – you hear first and then act after. Do not take a risk unless you have heard the voice of God telling you to get out of the boat and walk on the water. Peter needing confirmation, asked Jesus, in Matthew 14:28 (ESV) “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 

Once you get onto the water keep your eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of your faith. But we read ahead in Matthew 14:30 (ESV) that; “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 

As soon as Peter took his eyes off Jesus, he began to sink. Do not take your eyes off the anointing and the word. Do not look at the contradictory circumstances, but unto God, because if He started it, He will surely accomplish it.

He who decides the price is seated in your heart and will guide you. For whatever you want, remember that you need to pay the price and it doesn’t imply that it has got to be financial. We were bought at a price - purchased with the blood of God’s only son. Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and comply with the instructions given – obey because in doing so you are paying the price. Do what you have never done for God and He will like wise do the same for you. Pay a price you have never paid before and God will pay you back. Pay the price by the obeying God and assuredly He will and answer all your prayers, meet your needs and grant your heart's desires.

Live a life of obedience!

MYSTERIES OF OUR STRENGTH (II)

Pr. Geoffrey Kibombo

1 Corinthians 4:1 (NKJV)

“Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God"

Many times the differences we see in those around us or those who have excelled in what they do is because of certain secrets; for instance if you are doing something that differentiates you from everyone else, then your uniqueness is attributed to a certain secret. A secret is defined as something studiously concealed and kept from general knowledge. For example the success of Fortune 500 companies like Toyota, shell, Apple, KFC etc is attributed to different marketing and innovation secrets. Likewise God has entrusted believers with his mysteries or secrets so that can we purposefully standout. 

Having a revelation of mysteries such as forgiveness, praise, love, worshiping, prayer, offering and fellowshipping, may cause some to question why you frequent church; but what they do not know is that those are some of the virtues that make you different from them – even believers are not equal spiritually, its the revelation and doing of these mysteries that distinguishes us from the ordinary.

God’s desire was to bring salvation, but in a way not known to the world. The plan was in existence before but God decided that it would manifest at a particular time. What makes those in salvation standstill this day is that they possess mysteries of which they have a revelation. The bible says in 1 Corinthians 2:7-8 (NLT) that; “…the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began.”

In Mysteries of our strength – part1, we looked at five mysteries of our strength like; knowledge, word of God, right place, spiritual father and, prayer and below are some other mysteries.

6- Worship and Praise

If people knew the secret behind worship, then the burdens they face in life would not have power over them. In order for you to authentically worship God, you've got to take your eyes off the problem and the surrounding - interrupt preoccupation with self and attend to the presence of God. 
Praise is the joyful focus on God's splendid works; its closely intertwined with thanksgiving as we offer appreciation to God for his mighty works. The Psalmist sings in Psalm 89:5 (NLT) that; "All heaven will praise your great wonders, LORD; myriad of angels will praise you for your faithfulness."

Worship is not about your worthiness or about what is wrong with you; but instead, focus on what is right with your God. It’s easy to approach the throne in worship and praise when you are focusing on the character of God – He is good, kind and worthy of all our praise and honour and glory - worship is about Him and only Him.

When you worship, you allow His greatness to encounter and transform the situation. 2 Corinthians 10:4 (NKJV) says; “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God………” Praise and worship are some of the greatest of mysteries of our strength. Praise defeats our enemies. Psalms 8:2 (NIV) says; “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.” 

We always overcome when we realise our powerlessness and surrender to God. Whenever we praise and worship God, we are declaring who He is and acknowledging his great works: We are telling him that he is mighty and there is no one like him, and whenever we magnify God, we are rendering our problems powerless, thus we are no longer considering the problem, but only the greatness of our God. The cultivation of a praise and worshipful heart is a secret to the victory of a believer

7- Salvation

Many do not know this, but salvation is a mystery! Every perfection and fulfillment was put into salvation and that is why David cried out to God not to take away the joy of his salvation in Psalm 51:11-12 (NKJV) “Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation……...”

When you believe and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour – become Born Again, you become a new creature. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (GNT) “Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come.” And this new covenant means that you have surrendered all the facets of your life unto Jesus, it’s no longer you in control but Christ. You might have failed in life but when you become Born Again, God restores you. It is according to God’s plan that in Salvation everything falls in place - once your name is registered in the book of life, you begin a new chapter of life – of an abundant victorious life. All good things you desire are available to you as long as you walk according to God’s ways and word! Salvation is a revelation and the devil will prevent you from getting to know the revelation behind following Christ because he knows that Salvation is the source of freedom, joy, blessings and abundant life, but the revelation of the mysteries of God has only been granted to those who believe in Christ. Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 13:11 (AMP) that; “………to you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.”

Your relationship with God is very significant in overcoming the devil and living a purposeful life. Entering into God’s family gives us access to myriad blessings; in Salvation, life is transformed and we become fruitful, purposeful, blessed, victorious, faithful and protected. Salvation is one of the key mysteries to a purposeful victorious life because it comes with authority, power and blessings. 
Revelation 12:10 (AMP) says; “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom (dominion, reign) of our God, and the authority of His Christ have come…..”

8- Joy

Nehemiah 8:10 (NLT)

“…….Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

When we become born again, we receive joy – it is one of the hallmarks of God’s kingdom. Joy is more than being happy; unlike happiness that is strongly connected to our feelings, joy is not fleeting, it is permanent and is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit; so joy can be defined as; the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation. You’ll find nothing in that definition about happiness, because, as we all know, happiness is momentary and temporary.

Delight in the things that God has given you however small they seem; this is the mystery of our strength in salvation - the ability to be delightful in all situations; much as you are not where you want to be right now, you should delight in the place where you are now because life is a journey and that is not your final destination. Paul understood the joy of being content in Philippians 4:11-12 (NLT) when he declared that; “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.”

We don’t get a chance to hide or pretend when the bottom falls out of our lives. When we get bad news or a health scare, lose a loved one or our finances collapse; in such moments, all our comforting words are worthless, and what matters is what we do in those circumstances. The Bible says in James that during disconcerting times our faith is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So what should you do in such moments? James 1:2-4 (MSG) answers us;

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

9- Perception

Perception is a key attribute every Christian because it determines what you see (vision) and how far you can go in life irrespective of your purpose. That is why the devil always attacks the eyes of your understanding so that he can cut off your sight. Judges 16:21 (TLB) narrates “So the Philistines captured him and gouged out his eyes and took him to Gaza, where he was bound with bronze chains and made to grind grain in the prison.”

Perception is a very fundamental integral part of our life and we should be cautious so that were not blinded. The bible warns about the unbelievers in 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NKJV) that “whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” When the devil blinds, you do not see things as they are supposed to be - you lose your spiritual sight and thus no revelation

When you trust God with your life, he will open your eyes to see the solution to your problem, and that’s why those fully trust the Lord and don’t grumble when the storm roars are over-comers. That’s what happened in 2 Kings 6. Every time they would attack Israel, God would tell Elisha, a prophet of God in Israel, what the king of Aram’s war plans were and when Aram’s king learned that Elisha was the one who was giving away his plans, he sent an army to get him. 2 Kings 6:15-17 (NLT) narrates; 
“When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. “Oh, sir, what will we do now?” the young man cried to Elisha. 16 “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” 17 Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire."

We serve a God who opens our eyes shows us the solutions to our problems and challenges – that is why that even in the middle of the dessert, we see a opportunities and solutions to our problems because the one we believe in is Almighty
Irrespective of how negative or troubling the situation is, our perspective is not blinded but hopeful and oriented to the God Almighty

10- Purpose

Judges 16:4-5 (AMP)

“The angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s wife and said, “Even though you have been unable to have children, you will soon become pregnant and give birth to a son. 4 So be careful; you must not drink wine or any other alcoholic drink nor eat any forbidden food. 5 You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and his hair must never be cut. For he will be dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth. He will begin to rescue Israel from the Philistines.”

Samson is seen as the image of the church and from his example we see that everyone was born with a purpose. Samson was born to destroy the philistines and when he was born; his parents were given instructions for his upbringing.

For each of us who has a body, soul and spirit, this means that God created us to accomplish something, and whenever God purposes you, he equips you as well. The time God has given you to live on this earth is equivalent to the responsibility he has given you, and when the time comes for him to take you out of this life, your responsibility also comes to an end because life on earth is about service. That is why whenever satan attacks you, he targets to destroy your purpose like the way he did with Samson.  

Salvation is not by our own strength but its from God and its that divine induced strength that enables us to overcome the different barriers and challenges in life. In the Salvation journey there are certain things you must know and, knowing them and doing them makes you a different person. Your secret is what gives you an advantage over others and if you drop it, then you cease to have an advantage over others.

God bless you!

MYSTERIES OF OUR STRENGTH (I)

Pr. Geoffrey Kibombo

Judges 16:4-5 (NKJV)

“Afterward it happened that he loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. 5 And the lords of the Philistines came up to her and said to her, “Entice him, and find out where his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him………...”

There is a reason and purpose as to why we are on earth; the physical body signifies responsibility - serving God. God expects everyone with flesh and blood to do something in God's kingdom because we shall give accountability in the afterlife. We came into this world to do something for God - further His Kingdom, but there is a mystery behind our ability to serve Him fully and relentlessly.  

The bible says in Psalm 115:16 (ESV) that;
 “The heavens are the LORD’s heavens, but the earth he has given to the children of man.” 
Things concerning the earth are in our hands, for God gave us authority over earth and we are supposed to just call upon him to lead and intervene, but if we don't, He wont; therefore, we should to know that our ability to reign on earth is in God and if the devil steals this secret from us, we can’t fulfill our mission.

Samson got strength from God to fight against Philistines, but there was a mystery behind the enormous power that made him triumph over. As he conquered, the devil plotted to tear him down by getting to know the mystery of his strength. The philistine leaders looked for the woman he loved and requested her to entice him so that he reveals the mystery of his strength, and thereafter afflict him. Delilah started persuading Samson continuously until he revealed the mystery of his strength.

Behind us, there is power that causes to overcome, but always the devil attacks to weaken us by targeting the mystery or source of our strength. After Samson had overcome the Philistines and led Israel for twenty years, the devil did something that I want us to guard against. There are things that cause each one of us to soar . Let’s have an insight into the mysteries of our strength.

Knowledge 

Isaiah 5:13 (NKJV) 
“Therefore my people have gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge” 

The dictionary defines knowledge as; acquaintance with facts, truths or principles, as from study or investigation; general erudition, or the fact or condition of being aware of something. Knowledge is power. If you want to defeat someone in certain things, just conceal knowledge from your opponent. One of the things that make God sorrowful is our ignorance about Him and His ways. Isaiah 1:3 (NLT) says;
“Even an ox knows its owner, and a donkey recognizes its master’s care—but Israel doesn’t know its master”

There are certain things God expects us to know. The bible says in Deuteronomy 29:29 that; “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” 
Ignorance gives the devil a foothold in our life to attack us. If we acquire the necessary knowledge, we shall be able to overcome lots of things. When you go deeper into knowing God, you start being a disciple of Jesus. Jesus said in John 8:31 that; “If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed.” 

When the devil takes away knowledge and understanding from you, he will have grabbed you of the mystery of your strength. And after stealing it, he goes ahead to bind and then afflict you. Many people don’t want to go deeper into knowing God and his ways. Hosea 4:6 says; 
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests” 

One of the mysteries that will enable us accomplish our mission on planet earth is knowledge. For you to serve God, you have to desire knowledge. They don’t pray for knowledge but it’s sought from those who are already informed and reading books. 

When you are informed you become confident, empowered, and rest assured that irrespective of any challenge or setback, God has a better plan for you. The devil cannot take advantage of those who are already informed about his tricks. 2 Corinthians 2:11 says; 
“lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.”

Many people oppose divine church principles because they are uninformed; They don’t believe that God can heal their diseases, or a Pastor can know what is in their life and foretell what will happen to them and, they don’t submit to leaders nor are they pastored. 
With knowledge comes understanding (comprehension of information), and application of understood knowledge produces wisdom. You cannot apply what you don't understand and you cant understand what you don't know. Some people have lots of problems because they are ignorant. If you go deeper into knowledge, you shall have prevented a myriad problems and poor decision making.    

Word of GOD

Psalm 119:98 (AMP) 
“Your commandments make wiser than my enemies, for Your Words are always with me.”  

One of the core mysteries that make us strong is the word of God and if the devil steals that, you are in big trouble. No wonder the devil has made us too busy to have time to read the word of God; a lot of time is spent watching TV and scrolling through online movie streaming apps, and chatting on social media, and no significant time is spared to read and be taught the word. Most people only read the bible in church during service but not at home or during their devotion time. People prefer being prayed for than being taught how to pray. Some people can’t even dedicate time to go for bible study or fellowship, which explains the little numbers in bible study services. We don’t desire to enhance what we minimally know because the devil has stolen the mystery of yearning to know God more. God himself has exalted his word above his name

The devil doesn’t look for everything from you but the source of your strength. Judges 16:5 says; “And the lords of the Philistines came up to her and said to her, “Entice him, and find out where his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him…”  
Whenever you invest God’s word in your life, it makes you wiser than other people  as seen in Psalm 119:98 above. 

Right Place

2 Chronicles 7:16
“For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that my name be there forever; and my eyes and my heart shall be there perpetually“ 

You cannot be blessed from every place. Not every place is open heaven for you but every place is open heaven to those God has sent there. God never appeared to Jesus until he went to river Jordan. When the devil steals the mystery of your strength he will make you frustrated and tired by rotating you around, thus you end up wrongfully blaming God’s servants for yet its your vagabond spiritual lifestyle. You cannot meet God in every place or be blessed form any place but in the right place.

Prophetic wise, we are in a season of New Chapters and new beginnings but you cannot partake of this Rhema word except when you are under this covenant. 
When you grasp this, you get to know that you can go to all other places but your open heaven is in a specific place because our God is the God of right places. 

Spiritual Father

Hebrews 13:17 (AMP) 
“Obey your [spiritual] leaders and submit to them [recognizing their authority over you], for they are keeping watch over your souls and continually guarding your spiritual welfare as those who will give an account [of their stewardship of you]. Let them do this with joy and not with grief and groans, for this would be of no benefit to you.”  

Another mystery of our strength is being pastored - having a spiritual father. Just like earthly fathers, you cannot have more than one spiritual father. Very few people know what it means to have a spiritual father. When you are pastored, you have a covering upon you i.e. problems and afflictions don’t hit you directly because you are under a someone's spiritual protection. But when you are not pastored, problems attack you directly. Most people are spiritual vagabonds. They never have a spiritual father and spiritual home thus no covering because they drift from church to church. 

There is always one Spiritual parent who holds your blessing so endeavour to have a healthy relationship with him or her.  Remember that the person who can be mentioned in prayer is one who has a good and personal relationship with their pastor. Philemon 1:4 (NIV) says; “I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers." 

Prayer

Jeremiah 33:3 (EXB) says;

“Pray [call] to me, and I will answer you. I will tell you important secrets [greater and hidden things] you have never heard before." 

Prayer is an appeal or request of the things you need unto God; It is a mode of communication by which we speak to God, that is to say, dialogue between man and God. In salvation, if a person cannot pray to God, he or she is spiritually weak and cannot receive anything. 
Anyone who doesn't pray is food for the devil. A prayerless Christian is limited in achievement in any of his or her ventures; his or her education is stifled, business is a strain, there is no breakthrough and everything just drags with a lot of struggles. A family that doesn't pray together disintegrates but a family that prays together stays together.

Most people when faced with problems run to friends or relatives; but many times when you run to fellow men, the probability of being disappointed is quite high. Why? The person you are running to for rescue may not be available or not be in position to help you, and that is why we believers always run to the Lord in prayer.

One of the mysteries of our strength and victory is the church is that we face throne-ward first to God in prayer and encounter or strategise later. God will then be your shield and go ahead of you, because when problems or terror see God, they will scatter. The reason we seek God in prayer is because our redemption comes from neither east nor west but from the creator of heaven and earth. Prayer is very vital in every Christian’s life; it’s the gun we use to destroy the works of the enemy. 

What will make us unique, successful and strong? Reading the bible, praying acquiring knowledge from informed people and, having a spiritual father and local church

ABUNDANT LIFE

Pr. James Victor Lubwama

John 10:7-10 (AMPC)

“So Jesus said again, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that I Myself am the Door for the sheep. 8 All others who came [as such] before Me are thieves and robbers, but the [true] sheep did not listen to and obey them. 9 I am the Door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved (will live). He will come in and he will go out [freely], and will find pasture. 10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).”

Where there is life, there is growth. A church that is full of life does not remain the same, and this applies to other areas of our lives as well because increase is a symbol of life

In a world contaminated by challenges, diseases, sorrow and death in different areas of our lives, there is fulfillment and we thank God who gives us life in abundance. For it is written in John 11:25 (TLB) that; “….….I am the one who raises the dead and gives them life again. Anyone who believes in me, even though he dies like anyone else, shall live again.” With that scripture in your heart, know that whatever dead situation you are in or experiencing in any facet of your life, it will have life again - for God breathes life into the dead things

Jesus came so that every part of your life can live; when you bring Christ into your life, it changes and whatever was stunted begins to grow and flourish; the word of God is powerful enough to reach into every lifeless part of your life and breathe life into it again.

There are areas in your life that the devil might have killed, for example, joy, friendship, acumen, career, health etc. but Jesus restores all the above because He is the resurrection and the life and revives whatever is dead in your life. If he resurrected Lazarus, then he can resurrect your joy and all your dead situations; this is because every dead person or situation can hear the voice of the Son of God. Jesus said in John 5:25 (GNT) “I am telling you the truth: the time is coming-the time has already come-when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear it will come to life.” However, many misinterpret this scripture and refer the resurrection to that of the end of days.

A lesson from Lazarus

John 11:1-4 (NLT)

“A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. 2 This is the Mary who later poured the expensive perfume on the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair. Her brother, Lazarus, was sick.  3 So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.” 4 But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.”

Lazarus’ sister Mary was a prostitute before she met Jesus, but when she met him, she chose to pour all her wealth at his feet and wipe them with her hair – glory, she placed everything at his feet. She placed her riches in the church (to be used of God), and when she did this, she found favour with God, her sins were been forgiven and her whole family came to love Jesus. Her sins were forgiven because she humbled herself and submitted to Jesus, loved Him and even offered generously. Favour comes when you dedicate and devote yourself to Jesus; and in gaining favour before Christ, even her brother who was not present as she was being forgiven, became a friend of Jesus to the extent that when Lazarus was sick, Jesus was informed and therefore planned to come and see him

We learn two things from Mary; 1 - a person who submits to the servant of God and his ministry wins favour. 2 - All who confess their sins to God, find favour with Him. So when you acknowledge and confess your sins, God forgives you and thus find favor as well.

Mary poured her precious oil at Jesus’ feet. The valuable precious things should begin with God - invest the good things in the house of God; no stingy person can find favor before God, but when you love God with all your heart, his favor will rest upon you.

John 11:11-44 (NLT)

Then he said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up. 12 The disciples said, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will soon get better!” 13 They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was simply sleeping, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died. 14 So he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. 15 And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe…………......21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.” 23 Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 “Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.” 25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from Go……………..….39 “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them. But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.” 40 Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” 41 So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. 42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” 43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in grave clothes, his face wrapped in a head-cloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”

Even if your situation is “sleeping” do not be quick to burry it. Poverty is a curse, but bankruptcy does not mean you are poor; it’s just a temporary state of lack. When the cedar tree loses its leaves it does not signify that its dead, it is simply gathering strength to grow new leaves and blossom once again - there is a season when the world will see that you are retrogressing yet you are in your season of renewal and ascending to a new level.

Irrespective of afflicting or dead situation you are in, do not kill your miracles by speaking negatively or losing hope; just change your confession – speak life and confess victory. The bible warns in Proverbs 18:20-21 (GNT) that; “You will have to live with the consequences of everything you say. 21 What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words”

Be encouraged. Jesus is saying to you that the situation you see as dead is just sleeping but will come to life, and if you believe it, most assuredly you will see the glory of the Lord. Everlasting life begins on earth; if something has life within it, by default it has the ability to grow and bear fruit.

Whatever is dead in your life will live again provided you hand it to Jesus, and when you do so, it won’t only be alive, but will grow abundantly.

2017 - A YEAR OF PERFECTION!

Pr. James Victor Lubwama

Psalm 138:8 (NKJV)

"The Lord will perfect that which concerns me......"

The spirit of the Lord is the one that governs the body of Christ and this is the Lord’s message for the church this year:

1.   God is going to perfect what he started; He is going to finish what He spoke in all areas of your life. Sometimes we get discouraged because of the promises we haven’t yet received, but take heart: God is a builder and he works in phases; he lays the foundation first, goes on to erect the retaining walls, proceeds to roof and finalizes with the finishing. This year all those who have never been finished, their time has arrived – for every believer is going to be perfected,  and this perfection will make you attractive thus drawing unbelievers to the church to acknowledge God. He is going to make you happy and shine for the glory of his name.

2.   The poor are going to be made wealthy not for their own glory but to attract those who are going to shrines and smite worldly wickedness as well. All evil is going to be crashed down. The bible says in Haggai 2:7-9 (NLT) that; “I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will be brought to this Temple. I will fill this place with glory, says the LORD of Heaven's Armies. 8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. 9 The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”

The bible says in Isaiah 45:2-3 (NKJV) that "I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron. 3 I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the Lord, who call you by your name, am the God of Israel.”

God is preparing to give us the wealth that is in the land. Most people do not know this, but God has permitted poverty to strike for a reason; that there may be a distinction between those who fear the Lord and those who do not fear him.  Amidst poverty, when God lifts the poor and gives them wealth, it will vividly be known; even the wealthy who thought that they would never seek God are going to seek and praise Him having seen the poor transformed and lifted.

This scripture from Haggai will be so profound this year and multitudes are going to flock churches where the presence of the Lord dwells. God is going to get a response and place it into his house, but that response will be tested on you - we are going to be a display of Gods glory. We all have a network of people whom we have to draw back into the Kingdom of God.

3.   God is going to uphold the lowly and make them excel. Jesus said in John 12:26 (KJV) “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” Jesus is in glory and his servant here on earth is going to be clothed in glory. Therefore in addition to perfection, you are going to be dignified.

4.   This year we are going to witness believers employing people. Believers are going to own big businesses and people will wonder how this has come to be. People had ignorantly been attributing some believers and pastors’ success to sorcery or manipulation, however God is going to raise the church and hurl the devil down while we excel and advance. The wealth Jesus provides is not like that of the satanic world where they need to make blood sacrifices to succeed. Jesus was slain on the cross in order to give us wealth that has no sorrow added; as we are reminded in Proverbs 10:22 (AMP) that; “The blessing of the Lord brings [true] riches, and He adds no sorrow to it [for it comes as a blessing from God].”

Your transformation, God’s benefit

In salvation there is a transformation, and once you are transformed to the likeness of Christ’s character, you experience abundant purposeful life. Let the people see how the anointing has transformed you so that they will draw near to you and thereafter come to Christ such that heaven expands and hell diminishes.

The anointing will direct you to where your wealth is; God is going to transfer you to where you shall see his saving hand. Ensure you have a personal vision which is line with God’s overall vision. God is going to perfect that which concerns this year, however, everything comes with a price - heavenly things are not for free; be obedient and faithful.

Wishing you the best of this year!!!