Comfort in the Valley

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

Jesus, the God who Drew Near

Daily Devotional Jesus, the God who Drew Near Read John 1:1-15 These days it is hard to connect with some people. You approach them, and they say, _“Don’t enter my space.”_ What they really mean is: “Don’t bother me. I don’t need you. I don’t welcome you. Don’t even try.” Have you ever been stopped at the border of someone’s space? It hurts. And yet, when someone is invited into your space, their presence can change your entire life. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 NKJV As Paul writes in Philippians 2:6-7, Jesus did not cling to His divine glory, but emptied Himself and came in humility. He entered our space permanently - to redeem, to dwell, and to transform. We all crave that kind of presence. That’s why people seek marriage - a spouse, a permanent person who is allowed past the gate, into the heart of their space. Even when life gets chaotic, there is beauty in it. So I wonder: what would happen if we entered each other’s space, not just to visit, but to stay? Not for convenience, but for commitment. Not just to pass through, but to bring light, comfort, and healing. Prayer Lord, just as Jesus entered our space for good, help us enter the spaces of others with humility and lasting commitment. May our presence bring hope. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. By Rev Joshua Ssali Ssalongo

The Power of Showing Up

Daily Devotional The Power of Showing Up Read Job 2:11-13 A friend once told me that when he lost his mother, he stood completely alone. He looked out to his friends, his OBs and OGs. No one stood with him. So he mourned alone. On the burial day, a few friends traveled from far, but they could only stay a few minutes before rushing back to the long journey home. That kind of loneliness cuts deep. And the truth is, many of us face those moments with no one beside us. “Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.” Job 2:13 NIV Scripture gives us a better picture of friendship. When Job lost everything - his children, his wealth, his health - his friends heard the news and came. “They sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great” Job 2:13. Notice what they did first: They showed up. They sat. They stayed silent. Before they ever tried to explain his pain, they entered it with him. That is the ministry of presence. Friendship is not proven by perfect words. It’s proven by physical presence. Sometimes your friend doesn’t need a sermon. They need your shoulder. They don’t need solutions. They need your seat beside them. Let us choose to stand with our friends in every season. Sickness, loss, celebration, struggle. Just show up. Because sometimes, your presence preaches louder than your words. Prayer Lord, You command us to mourn with those who mourn. Give me a heart that shows up. Let my presence be a comfort to my friends in every season of their life. In Christ’s name, Amen. By Rev Joshua Ssali Ssalongo

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