The Ministry of Presence

The Ministry of Presence

Daily Devotional The Ministry of Presence Read Exodus 33:1-14 If you ask people what mattered most during their darkest or brightest moments - sickness, loss, pain, even celebration - the answer is almost always the same: “The people who stood with me.” Gifts arrive by delivery. But healing, comfort, and joy multiply when someone takes time to physically come. Support helps. Presence transforms. “The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14 NIV When God gave Moses the assignment to take His people to the Promised Land, Moses’ concern wasn’t the journey ahead. It was companionship. He was about to lead a stiff-necked people, so his deepest cry was for assurance: “Lord, are You with me?” Because mission without presence is unbearable. As we open God’s Word this week, we’ll focus on the Ministry of Presence. We shall ask: How do we stand with our people - not just in words, but physically - through every changing scene of life? Please note: People remember who came, not just what was sent. Join in as we learn together this week though. Prayer Father, You promised, “My presence will go with you.” Now make us people who go with others. Teach us to give time, to sit with, and to stand beside our friends in their seasons. Make our presence reflect Yours. In Christ’s name, Amen. By Rev Joshua Ssali Ssalongo

Grow Children into Maturity II

A message shared on the 11th of June during an Online Lunch Hour Service under the theme Saved, Growing and Maturing.

Grow Children into Maturity

A message shared on the 11th of June during an Online Lunch Hour Service under the theme Saved, Growing and Maturing.

Exploring the Depth of Commitment: Reflections on Service and Faith of the Uganda Martyrs

Daily Devotional Exploring the Depth of Commitment: Reflections on Service and Faith of the Uganda Martyrs Read John 15:20-21 Recently, I attended a Rotary Presidential Installation in one of the clubs in Kampala. The district governor, GK, made a remark that has stayed with me: “It is one thing to be a member of a Rotary club, and another thing to be a Rotarian.” That’s a big statement. It made me ask: What is the level of our commitment to the things we join? Do we commit because of friends? Because of what we expect to gain? Or because we truly believe in the core values and statement of faith of the movement we’ve signed up for? Today, as we remember the Uganda Martyrs, we see commitment taken to its fullest. They gave their lives, even to death by fire. And the song says they were singing as they burned. That wasn’t casual membership. That was radical commitment. They chose to follow Jesus Christ unto death. Jesus warned His disciples about this cost. In John 15:20-21 He said: “Remember what I told you: A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.” Persecution is not simple. But it produces something deep. Paul, in Romans 5:3-5, reminds us: “Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” The Martyrs were full of life, yet they gave their lives fully to the Lord. That’s why we celebrate them today. But the question for us is: What is your commitment? May we not commit just because of people, but because we fully understand the reason and purpose for joining God’s great movement. Prayer Lord, as we remember the Uganda Martyrs who gave their lives for the hope of glory in Christ, teach us to make unwavering commitments. Help us to be faithful in everything we choose on earth, but most of all, to love You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. In Jesus’ name, Amen. By Rev Joshua Ssali Ssalongo

Filled With The Spirit

Daily Devotional Theme: Filled With The Spirit Read Ezekiel 37:1-14, Acts 2:1-21 What’s that one thing you feel you can’t live without? For many people today, the phone has become that thing. It’s more than a device; it’s their business, their connections, their news, their entertainment, even their companion. The obsession is real because it seems to hold everything together. _But there’s something greater than the phone: the Holy Spirit of God._ A phone may give you a living, connecting you to opportunities and people. But the Holy Spirit gives you life; real life, eternal life, and the power to live it well. When you are filled with Him, you don’t just function; you thrive. "I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’ Ezekiel 37:14 Being filled with the Holy Spirit is about surrendering the control of your daily life to God's guidance. It requires actively desiring His presence, emptying yourself of self-reliance, and inviting the Holy Spirit to lead your thoughts, actions, and decisions. How to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Surrender: The filling of the Spirit is not about you getting more of God; it’s about God getting more of you. It begins when you lay down your own agendas and yield to His will. Continual Infilling: Like breathing, being filled is not a one-time event but a daily, even hourly, necessity. You must consistently invite the Spirit to empower and refresh you. Faith Over Feelings: You are filled with the Spirit by faith in God's promises, not by relying on emotional experiences. Obedience: A Spirit-filled life naturally produces the "fruit of the Spirit" (love, joy, peace, patience…) and leads to boldness in your daily walk and interactions with others. If you want to invite the Holy Spirit to guide you today, use this simple prayer of surrender. Prayer Dear Heavenly Father, I acknowledge that I have been directing my own life. I surrender my plans, my struggles, and my desires to You. I ask that You fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Guide my steps, empower me to love others, and let Your presence rule my heart today. In Jesus' name, Amen." By Rev Kenneth Kabanda Katusabe