Suffering and Salvation

Christ’s Mind of Humility

Daily Devotional Christ’s Mind of Humility Read Philippians 2:3-4, 6-7; John 13:4-5 Have you ever met someone who leads with their title? “I’m speaking to you as your boss. I’m your father. Don’t you know I’m the one in charge? Listen, because I’m your leader.” You know the tone. It’s intimidating. Often, leading with authority like that isn’t strength. Sometimes it’s a cover-up — for insecurity, weakness, or fear. It’s what happens when someone starts with their position instead of their character. But there’s a better way. “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage;” Philippians 2:6 NIV Jesus had every right to be served, because of who He was but He chose to serve. C.S. Lewis put it right; _“True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.”_ You will hear modifications today of ‘Humility isn’t self-degradation.’ You lose nothing by being humble. I have watched leaders serve with such humility that if you didn’t know better, you’d think they were the underdogs. Servant leadership pulls us toward the lowly, carries the weak, and humbles the “know-it-all.” The mind of Christ isn’t looking for the highest seat. It’s looking for the towel. Ponder Where in my life am I craving recognition instead of offering help? Who around me needs my hand this week? Prayer: Lord Jesus, break my pride and teach me to count others more significant than myself. Help me choose humility today, even when no one is watching, in your name, Amen. By Rev Joshua Ssali Ssalongo

The Mind of Christ

Daily Devotional The Mind of Christ Read Philippians 2:1-11 Who / what inspires the decisions / choices you make every day? Is it your circumstances? The environment you’re in? Your education? Or maybe it’s frustration - and let’s be honest, that one shows up more often than we would like to admit. The truth is: the mind you carry determines the choices you make. Whether those choices are great or damaging, it all starts in the mind. “Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:2-5 NIV When Paul writes to the Philippians in chapter 2, he is laser-focused on this very thing. He urges them to guard their thinking. To set their minds in one direction; that is, away from self but toward the bigger picture. “Not looking to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Phil 2:3 Let’s be honest - that’s not easy. It goes against our natural instincts. But this week, I invite you to walk with me on a journey called: “The Mind of Christ.” Our main passage will be Philippians 2 - which I invite you to read every day - with cross-references from other scriptures, so we can deliberately align our thinking with that of Christ. So come with me this week. Let’s explore what it means to have the mind of Christ — and how it changes the way we serve, the way we live, and the way we show up in the world, one day at a time. Let’s pray Lord, our decisions affect others. As we start this journey, challenge how we think and teach us Your way in everything we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen. By Rev Joshua Ssali Ssalongo

When Words Fail, Presence Speaks

Daily Devotional When Words Fail, Presence Speaks Read Romans 12: Do you have those friends around you - the chatterboxes? They talk frantically, relentlessly, powerfully, sometimes annoyingly, even destructively. You know the kind. They are the last people you would want to see when you are in trouble or going through a hard time. The moment you’re craving quiet and calm is exactly when they show up and raise the dust. But here is the truth: just having them around, noise and all, is encouraging. Yes, it’s noise. Sometimes unnecessary noise. Yet they are present. And presence is a ministry of its own. “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” Romans 12:15 NIV When Paul writes to us, he says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn with those who mourn.” That’s a call to pay attention to people’s situations. So when we enter any situation, we must match it. If it’s a moment of joy, we come with joy, energy, and celebration. But if it’s a time of mourning, we don’t come in loud. We come with a heart that matches the moment — calm, gentle, present. As Paul emphasized, you don’t need perfect words. All you need is a present heart that matches their season, their situation, their environment. That means we must read every situation. We must understand it, so we can measure our approach - our words, our tone, our actions, our intervention. That is what brings healing. That is what brings restoration. And sometimes, when words fail, presence speaks louder. Not every moment calls for speech. Sometimes you just need to stand by, offer a shoulder, lend an ear, and simply be there. Your presence will speak far louder than your words ever could. Prayer Father, teach us the wisdom of Your Word. Give us hearts that can rejoice without envy and mourn without running away. Help us to read the room the way Jesus did - to know when to speak, when to be silent, and when to simply stay. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. By Rev Joshua Ssali Ssalongo

Presence That Heals

Daily Devotional Presence That Heals Read Luke 10:25-37 If you have lived here long enough, you know that an accident scene is a “no-go area.” We fear blood - even more, the sight of a fellow human being in pain. Yet we are still commanded to help those in trouble, just as they would need help. So let me ask you: How have you responded when God placed someone in trouble right in your path? “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.” Luke 10:33-34 NKJV The man in the picture must have been a Jew in trouble. Yet a Samaritan (please note: there was “nothing good” about being a Samaritan in that culture; they were segregated and called “the other” by Jewish custom) came to his rescue. He drew near, bandaged his wounds, stayed at the inn, and paid the bill for a stranger. Some people are heartless. But when it comes to human life, we’re wired to care. He saw, he stopped, he stayed, and he helped all the way to paying the bill. The ministry of presence follows the same pattern. It’s not one-directional. It pays attention to details. It sees, it stops, and it commits to stay until the person is safe enough to stand on their own. This is what we have been called to. Don’t just be a “hi, friend.” Commit to helping and serving others until it’s safe for them to thrive. May this inspire us to live better with one another, offering 360° care to humanity. Prayer Father, we confess that we often see but don’t stop, we stop but don’t stay. Forgive us for walking past the wounded. Make our hearts soft like the Good Samaritan’s. Give us eyes to see those hurting around us, courage to stop our plans for them, and love that stays until they are safe. In Jesus Name, Amen. By Rev Joshua Ssali Ssalongo

Comfort in the Valley

Daily Devotional Comfort in the Valley Read Psalm 23:1-6 If you grew up in rural Africa, you know how quickly darkness falls. Yet there were nights we still had to fetch water, find food, or run to the shop - no candle, no torch, nothing. Just darkness. That walk was terrifying. Every shadow looked like a threat. Every sound made you freeze. But somehow, we did it. We faced the fear and completed the task. How did we do it? What strength was in us, or around us, that let us see when there was no light? The psalmist gives us the answer in one of our most loved psalms. *Psalm 23:4* says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” David’s confidence was not in his own strength. It was in the Who and the What. Who is with me? What is in me? Who is walking beside me? Even in the dark, David knew he had a Good Shepherd - the Lord Almighty. And because God was with him, he could face every situation, every challenge, every battle, and every war. Whatever the darkness you’re walking through tonight, remember: God is with you. Keep your focus on God for He is with us always. Prayer Lord, even when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, fear grips my heart. But You are with me. Help me cling to You in every dark moment. In Christ’s Name, Amen. By Rev Joshua Ssali Shadrach