“the last will be first, and the first will be last” You are warmly welcome! In a recent Public Lecture, Bishop Zac Niringiye explained the difference between two citizenships: citizenship by right, and citizenship by grace. Even when some Ugandans may not be aware of their rights as citizens, the Constitution of Uganda is clear about the certainty of citizenship; there are similar provisions in other Nation States to provide for citizenship. As long as one satisfies the conditions stipulated for citizenship, they qualify by right to be citizens. The story of a girl born in United States of America to Uganda parents illustrated this point clearly: when the family returned and years later wanted to get a visa for their daughter, the US Embassy in Uganda denied her the visa, and instead issued her a US passport – a greater permission by leaps and bounds! She was an American by birth, though a Ugandan by descent; both citizenships were valid by right under the provisions of the respective Constitutions. Unaware of her rights as a US citizen, she was seeking a lesser document – a visa! On the contrary, the Kingdom of God does not have citizens by right. No one has by merit satisfied the conditions of belonging to the Kingdom of God. God just bestowed favour that we did not deserve – unmerited favour – and only by this can we enter: belonging to the Kingdom of God is purely by the grace of God. We receive...

Body of the test post here by Em hj

“this do in remembrance of Me.” You are warmly welcome! We need food to live. Let us journey through the miracles of food experienced by Israel, the chosen people of God, across a lengthy timeline. In Canaan: When Jacob was renamed Israel after the overnight wrestling with God at Penuel (Gen 32:28-30), he was on his way from Laban’s land of Haran to the land of Canaan; food was fairly plenty there until, after some decades, a famine struck the entire Middle East. Only one nation had food reserves courtesy of the wise foresight and ministerial operations of a victimized and forgotten son of Israel…  In Egypt there was food, and here the Israel family came to escape the dreadful famine. A few generations later, their sojourn turned bitter: although African food was good and in plenty, the Egyptians resolved their insecurity by enslaving and treating harshly this chosen race! Suffering caused them to cry so loud that the Lord sent deliverance by the hand of Moses who would lead them through tough excursions… In the Wilderness, out of Egypt was not completely out of trouble; there was some freedom; there were no slave drivers to inflict suffering; but there was no food, and the water was bitter! They complained bitterly to their deliverer Moses, remembering the plenty they had in Egypt despite the suffering. After due prayer, manna – bread from heaven – was their miracle food for almost forty years, until they entered the Promised Land, and manna...

“Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness…” A shoot from the stump of Jesse is described by Prophet Isaiah: This is a reminder of the good days of King David (son of Jesse), and a announcement of a coming greater and better King who will usher in a dispensation of righteousness, peace and joy – the Kingdom of God. The one described is a son of man, and this teaches me that we can emulate the attributes he would bear: “his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD”, and that is the call on us today if we are to dwell as citizens in the Kingdom of God. In Judges 2:6-15 (read), this introduction of the book and an imminent epoch bring to mind what happened in the days past – ‘people served the Lord’. A summary of all that happened later begins with another generation that grew up; many phrases are repeated in the book about these later generations: they ‘did evil in the eyes of the Lord’, ‘provoked the Lord to anger’, and ‘the Lord handed them over’. The cyclic progression was evil, anger, defeat… This is the result of being unfaithful; giving up commitment to the God of our deliverance and His instructions. This painful progression was only interrupted by judges that arose by the Lord’s inspiration and checked Israel’s enemies for some seasons. The same cyclic progressions is not alien to us today; at least it remains a natural progression and...

“the last will be first, and the first will be last” In a recent Public Lecture, Bishop Zac Niringiye explained the difference between two citizenships: citizenship by right, and citizenship by grace. Even when some Ugandans may not be aware of their rights as citizens, the Constitution of Uganda is clear about the certainty of citizenship; there are similar provisions in other Nation States to provide for citizenship. As long as one satisfies the conditions stipulated for citizenship, they qualify by right to be citizens. The story of a girl born in United States of America to Uganda parents illustrated this point clearly: when the family returned and years later wanted to get a visa for their daughter, the US Embassy in Uganda denied her the visa, and instead issued her a US passport – a greater permission by leaps and bounds! She was an American by birth, though a Ugandan by descent; both citizenships were valid by right under the provisions of the respective Constitutions. Unaware of her rights as a US citizen, she was seeking a lesser document – a visa! On the contrary, the Kingdom of God does not have citizens by right. No one has by merit satisfied the conditions of belonging to the Kingdom of God. God just bestowed favour that we did not deserve – unmerited favour – and only by this can we enter: belonging to the Kingdom of God is purely by the grace of God. We receive and accept the grace...

“the body… its parts should have equal concern for each other” Today is Trinity Sunday, and this gives the subject of Teamwork a great headstart. Trinity is a term used to express the doctrine of the unity of God as subsisting in three distinct Persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. One of the best Scriptures in which we see these distinct Persons is here: And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matt 3:16-17) Jesus had already been recognized by John the Baptist as the Messiah, the Lamb of God, and after negotiations, John accepted to baptize Jesus, not knowing that his revelation would be confirmed by the Holy Spirit and the Father in the dramatic and audible scene. The Gospel of John is also awash with this doctrine – that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are one, continually working together (John 14:26). The Three Persons can be spoken of as the greatest Team. God has therefore created us in such a way that we are more effective when we work as teams. Teamwork divides the task and doubles the success. Even the most gifted are hard-limited outside a team; great basketballer Michael Jordan put it this way: “Talent...

“the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true” Fifty days ago we celebrated the Easter and commemorated the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Today we remember the day when the Holy Spirit descended upon the believers who were waiting in the Upper Room in Jerusalem, in obidience to the instructions the Lord had given just before He ascended. This momentous event fell on a Jewish festival of Pentecost (the Feast of Weeks). It was the first of the two agrarian festivals of Israel and signified the completion of the barley-harvest. The day was observed as a Sabbath day, all labor was suspended, and the people appeared before Yahweh to express their gratitude. Later Jews celebrated on this day the Giving of the Law at Sinai. A new meaning is given to Pentecost by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Jerome writes: “There is Sinai, here Sion; there the trembling mountain, here the trembling house; there the flaming mountain, here the flaming tongues; there the noisy thunderings, here the sounds of many tongues; there the clangor of the ramshorn, here the notes of the gospel-trumpet.” The new meaning upon the day was a result of the divine enlightenment that the Holy Spirit brought: Now the disciples could speak in tongues, gentiles and foreigners could hear the good news, Christ will shine on you.

“good and faithful servant… I will set you over much.” Stories of a man hacking his wife to death for marital unfaithfulness are not uncommon in newspapers; sometimes this even happens to ‘friends’ not yet married! Such strong passion that flares like exposed potassium and ignites like petrol is ‘hereditary’; it is in man made in God’s image. God expresses possibilities of displaying such passion and unleashing its venom upon a land of unfaithful people who stray from “the terms of the covenant” (Deut 29:18-29). The same passion is the source of unfailing love and care in a healthy relationship. Today’s passage seems to suggest that a faithful steward has to further discern the un-written terms of the covenant as well. Faithful stewardship is all about keeping the terms of the covenant, and even beyond that, reading correctly what the Master wants without him saying it. What you get out of it depends on how you respect the terms of the covenant. It is a promise that as normal human eyes saw Jesus Christ ascend, we shall behold him come. He will be faithful to His covenant (his part). The faithful on earth respond, ‘Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!’, while some do not want to imagine what this would be like. But just like it was for the three stewards – two of whom were ready and the one only waited to cook up excuses – when He comes, accountability is demanded from all. A true longing for the coming of...

“good and faithful servant… I will set you over much.” Stories of a man hacking his wife to death for marital unfaithfulness are not uncommon in newspapers; sometimes this even happens to ‘friends’ not yet married! Such strong passion that flares like exposed potassium and ignites like petrol is ‘hereditary’; it is in man made in God’s image. God expresses possibilities of displaying such passion and unleashing its venom upon a land of unfaithful people who stray from “the terms of the covenant” (Deut 29:18-29). The same passion is the source of unfailing love and care in a healthy relationship. Today’s passage seems to suggest that a faithful steward has to further discern the un-written terms of the covenant as well. Faithful stewardship is all about keeping the terms of the covenant, and even beyond that, reading correctly what the Master wants without him saying it. What you get out of it depends on how you respect the terms of the covenant. It is a promise that as normal human eyes saw Jesus Christ ascend, we shall behold him come. He will be faithful to His covenant (his part). The faithful on earth respond, ‘Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!’, while some do not want to imagine what this would be like. But just like it was for the three stewards – two of whom were ready and the one only waited to cook up excuses – when He comes, accountability is demanded from all. A true longing for the coming of...

“My soul magnifies the Lord” The fellowship of the young lady Mary with her elderly relative Elizabeth is a perfect image of what Apostle Paul encouraged Titus about: “Older women… train the young women…” (Titus 2:3-5). It is cross-generational fellowship and ministry. There are mutual benefits as can be seen clearly: Elizabeth speaks with prophetic understanding, and Mary sings and teaches Elizabeth a new song in response to a revelation, and both are encouraged, hence lengthening their fellowship to three months. Young people need mentoring by elders, and elders need the energizing novelties from the younger people. Although cross-generational may also mean differences in style, speech, dressing, appreciation of culture, yet fellowship remains relevant and necessary because of the mutual benefits which cannot be gained in any other way. For certain all older women have been young before, and the younger ones are likely to get old one day; and despite the differences, the growth curve has many more experiences that will be the same for all who tread it. Learning from others’ experiences results in progress and saves one from many pitfalls. Back to the blessed women in fellowship: Elizabeth recognizes the blessing in the visit of not just a younger woman but a future mother of the Lord – somehow Elizabeth knows this. As is her responsibility, she goes on to encourage and comfort Mary whose experience with an Angel earlier had left her really frightened; now a motherly relative reassures her that all is well, and “blessed...

“children of God… shine as lights in the world” When a child is born, the umbilical cord has to be severed; the baby girl now has to draw air with oxygen by itself, ingest and digest food, cry for help when in need; it is a fundamental change. The born child is now dependent on anyone who can offer help, but never in the way it was dependent on the mother while still in the womb. The child’s dependency keeps changing and reducing – she stops breast feeding, starts eating solid food and walking, then soon after starts fetching water and participating in house work, adding value to the home and community. A child of God is called to growth and development in the same way. Jesus Christ commands: “Come follow Me” is the first instruction. As Christians, we are called to be disciples (followers of Jesus Christ). This is a call to relate, and all who receive Him are given the right to become children of God (Jn 1:12). Observing and honoring our relationship with God as our Father and Christian people as brothers and sisters is more exciting than getting a passport for the first time; it is of supreme importance when in a foreign land. Without it, identity is lost and one is handed to the police and detained in bondage; even your home embassy can hardly help. Christians are foreigners in this world; our passport and indicator of our true citizenship is Jesus Christ. Without Him,...

“we are God's fellow workers” God is at work, and He is at work through us. Paul compares God’s work to a large field in which different tasks are carried out by different people at different times: planting, mulching, watering, weeding, thinning, pruning, propping… and God gives the growth. He also compares the same work to a building construction site where there is ground-clearing, excavations, laying foundations, plinth walling, ground slab, superstructure work, roofing, finishes, external works… and Christ is the only foundation stone upon which the building can stand. Each one of us has work in the field; it is important to realize it and perform it. Jesus commissioned and sent out Apostles to make disciples of all nations by preaching the Word, baptizing and teaching (Matt 28:19-20); as the Church grew, the Apostles set apart from among the church members Deacons to assist them in certain administrative tasks. Many of the disciples who started as helpers or deacons later become powerful evangelists and pastors. By the time Paul and Peter write, all believers have gained a part to play: For Paul, there are varieties of spiritual gifts and ways to serve for the common good (1Cor 12:4-7); and Peter puts forward the priesthood of all believers with its associated responsibilities (1Pet 2:9). The Anglican Cathechism teaches that the Ministry of the Laity is “to represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to him wherever they may be; and, according to the gifts given them, to carry on...

“suddenly a light from heaven shone around him” Many schools have this motto: “Knowledge is Light”, and today Paul the apostle is our feature character to prove this point. He was at first called Saul. Everyone desires to be useful and productive in society, to be a vessel of noble purpose, to add value to the people around, to leave a mark that can be counted as legacy. In this respect, Saul’s profile was clean and clear, totally resolved in his vocation and passion – defending the faith. Those who promoted a contrary way of believing were sure to meet with his uncompromising wrath, even to the point of jailing and executions. Saul was thoroughly educated in Greek culture and the teaching of the Rabbis, having received the building material of his life both at home and at school. Saul supervised and gave approval to Stephen’s stoning to death, and now was on the way to arrest more subversive disciples of Jesus Christ. Such zeal also comes from God, and for a purpose; but without a revelation, this zeal can destroy a lot including its possessor. He later frankly admitted the dangers of such zeal for God, which is not according to knowledge – not enlightened, and the danger losing salvation! (Rom 10:2). The Lord in his mercy came to Saul and found him drunk with venomous zeal: The much needed redirection came by a revelation; and meeting and knowing Jesus uprooted Saul from the dark path to the Way....

Seeing, sight, vision, beholding; seeing is very important. When people do not see, they do not know, and for lack of knowledge they are destroyed! (Hosea 4:6). I am challenging everyone to deeply yearn for a vision of the risen Lord Jesus Christ. Seeing the risen Lord changed many lives: dreadful fear was dispelled, new career direction established, faith given new meaning, religious zeal given proper direction, and hope for life established in dimensions never imagined before. Hallelujah! Christ is risen. Many years earlier, Mary, a young lady from Galilee had seen a vision of Angel Gabriel announcing to her the blessedness of being the future mother of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank God she not only saw but was able to hear and engage in a conversation with the angel – many could not see him. Let’s go business now: You need to be able to see opportunities and the need to harness them by working hard and working smart. Uganda is one of the countries where it is very easy to set up and operate profitable business. The East African Community (EAC) is another opportunity before us, yet some people may be ‘blind’ to the opportunities it brings. The Customs’ Union that enables duty-free trade between the member states and common customs procedures has been in place since 2005, whereas the Common Market Protocol which guarantees free movement of labour, goods, persons, capital and services was launched in 2010. The EAC provisions have resulted in Uganda’s greatly rising...

The angel said to the women, “me phobeisthe humeis” (Fear not ye). The root of the Greek word that the angel employed gives us a suffix that is widely used to describe various kinds of fear (phobia). The women could have been momentarily gripped with pnuematiphobia (fear of spirits) or kenophobia (fear of empty space), scelerophobia (fear of bad men or burglars), or even isolophobia (fear of being alone) – Jesus gone! What phobia do you suffer? There are many types of fear – in fact one certain website lists over five hundred phobias! Whatever it is, the message today is ‘Do not be afraid’. Some people fear darkness (achluophobia), others fear being single (anuptaphobia), while others dread making decisions (decidophobia). Fear is a hard limiter, which binds a soul in a prison with imaginary walls and robs people of peace and freedom. It brings a terrible shortsightedness upon one’s eyes to only see the would-be short-lived negative likelihoods whose probability is ultra low! Jesus echoed the angel’s introductory statement, and we need to hear it loud and clear today: Do not be afraid! Necrophobia is the fear of death; the greatest fear I suppose. Everyone must suffer this to a great extent, hence we treat sickness, we get out of the speeding vehicle’s way, we eat – we take care of ourselves; yet eventually death must come! Because of the assurance by Jesus’ death and resurrection, Paul writes encouragingly: Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all...

Growing in the Kingdom of God involves first of all coming into the Kingdom, knowing the nature and principles in the Kingdom, and making the decision to grow therein. Jesus Christ came to proclaim the one important truth, that ‘the Kingdom of God is at hand’, and he went ahead to tell his hearers the implications and what we ought to do (Mark 1:14-15). Coming to Jesus is the entry into the Kingdom; those who decide to come to Jesus are met with various challenges, but in overcoming them and focussing on our Lord there is great gain. Today’s Scripture is addressed to those who have already made the choice to enter the Kingdom – they seek the Lord daily and delight to know His ways; they draw near to God even with fasting, but the Lord is ignoring them! There are things that can be forgiven when done by a child, but adults will be punished for the same. Attitudes and actions are evaluated by the level of maturity one has attained or actually the leve one is expected to have attained. Growth is therefore not optional, and growth in the Kingdom is of prime importance. Physically, those who refuse to grow emotionally, academically and mentally are in trouble, because time does not stop; it continues ticking and expectations grow – even the body grows! Sometimes we see babies in adult bodies, and this can be an absurdity. Growing in the Kingdom of God in the context of fasting...

“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6). It is time to seek the Lord; it is time to return to the Lord with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. In this season of Lent we earnestly seek to be reconciled to God, to possess our promised inheritance, and to be prepared for faithful ministry. I shared the following seven Biblical instances which we extend today: Reconciliation with God: 1) The 40-day ultimatum for Nineveh’s destruction was cancelled when they turned to God with prayer, fasting and repentance (Jonah 3:4-10). Promised Inheritance: 2) The 40-day rainfall that caused a great flood was escaped by Noah and his people through faithful obedience to God and His providence (Gen 7:17-18). 3) The 40-day tormenting confrontation of Israel by the Philistine Goliath was cut short by David in the name of the Lord God Almighty (17:16, 45-50). 4) It took Moses’ spies 40 days to survey the Promised Land and report. Joshua and Caleb’s account was their ticket into the land (Num 13:25, 30). Preparing for Ministry: 5) Moses received the Ten Commandments after 40 days of fasting and devotion – alone with God – at Mount Horeb (also called Sinai) (Ex 34:28). 6) Elijah received instructions at Mount Horeb about his final phase of ministry and his successor after 40 days of fasting and seeking God (1Kings 19:7-8). 7) Jesus launched his ministry after 40 days of prayer and fasting...

“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6). It is time to seek the Lord; it is time to return to the Lord with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. We are in a season of Lent which began on Ash Wednesday 13 Feb 2013, and lasts forty days and culminates in the Passion Week and subsequently Easter. In this season of Lent we earnestly seek to be reconciled to God, to be prepared for faithful ministry, and to possess our promised inheritance. Seven Biblical instances involving 40 days and 40 nights are helpful in this matter: Reconciliation with God: When he finally arrived in Nineveh, Prophet Jonah announced doom – ‘forty days more and Nineveh will be overturned.’ The people of Nineveh led by their king turned to God wholeheartedly in fasting and prayer immediately. By the end of the forty days, ‘When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.’ They were reconciled to God. We too can take this season to turn from whatever evil you may have strayed into and be reconciled to God. Promised Inheritance: The great flood came as a result of rain falling upon the earth for forty days; Noah and his people were hiding in an ark designed and instructed by God himself. For forty days...

Today we go back to reflect on the theme for this year: “Let the little children come to me…” The episode of disciples rebuking those who had brought children to Jesus for prayer and blessings prompted our Savior to explicitly give this vital instruction. Jesus received little children, and hence was consistent with God the Father who gave circumcision to father Abraham with his present and future children as a sign of the covenant (Gen 17:11-12). Jesus was himself entered into this covenant through circumcision when he was a little child – eight days old (Luke 2:21). For our application in today’s Church, let me share again three categories of people about whom Jesus says “Let them come to me” – this is our mission imperative this year: 1. The lambs: These, according to John Gill, are the younger and more tender part of the flock, weak believers, Christ’s little children, newborn babes, the day of small things, which are not to be despised., the bruised reed that is not to be broken, and the smoldering wick that is not to be quenched. To Simon Peter Jesus said, “Feed my lambs” (John 21:15). They are to be nourished, comforted, and strengthened, by feeding them with the milk of the Gospel. They were purchased by Jesus’ blood, and he has a tender concern and affection for them. As they seek Jesus, they should not be hindered. 2. The sheep: These are mature Christian believers who are on course following the Good...

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” This is the blessing that Paul the Apostle prayed for his audience at the end of one of his letters. It has been adapted into a prayer that Christians use frequently; it is probably the most widely known prayer. Among the Jews, the most important part of the prayer service is called the Shema; it is recited twice daily. It is traditional to say the Shema as their last words, and for parents to teach their children to say it before they go to sleep at night. The words ‘Shema Yisrael’ (Hear, O Israel) are the beginning of this famous prayer which is taken from Deut 6:4-9. It consists of an affirmation of belief in God's unity and in His sovereignty over the world, an unconditional love of God, and a commitment to the study of His teachings. It emphasizes the religious duties to love God, to teach the Word of God to one's children, and to talk of the Word at every possible time. As an effort to remember and recite the Shema and in order to fulfill the Biblical commandment to inscribe the words of the Shema "on the doorposts of your house" (Deut 6:9), a mezuzah is affixed to the doorframe in Jewish homes. The mezuzahis a piece of parchment (often contained in a decorative case) inscribed with specified Hebrew verses (the Shema...