The Word of God Today

[Kulabako]

Kalibattanya kati tumale kuwuuta nva nga bwetulinda emmere yo emmere tunawema nkalu ?, naye kasita byonna bigenda wamu kasita tegaba mayuuni ga bwayiise , kuba awo wolabira akulinako ekkonda nga kuggunda ebikonde mu mugongo naye ngayita mu mmere gyakuwadde
Naye era bagamba nti entasiima yabulwa agi giving-a tweyanzizza akayimba kaffe.

[Mulongo]

Whatever a person thinks about himself, so is he.

Success is initiated by having the right kind of thinking. Our thinking says everything about our lives. What we think about ourselves determines where we’ll go and what we’ll do with the small amount of time we’ve been given. A few questions: Do we still value our lives when we hit hard times? When a relationship fails do we get up and carry on or do we let defeated circumstances defeat us? Do we deem ourselves worthless when we try and fail? For us to have a proper attitude and thought pattern about who we are, we must know the thoughts of the one who made us. Have you ever asked the question, “God, what do You think about me?” Jeremiah 29:11 reads, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

The Lord’s feelings about us are unconditional. Sure, our obedience welcomes God’s favor and blessing, but who we are to Him isn’t motivated by anything but pure, unconditional love. The Bible says in Proverbs 23:7 that whatever a person thinks about himself, so is he. It’s going to be difficult for me to achieve anything worthwhile if I don’t see myself the way my Creator does. Our thoughts play much like an elevator; they take us up or they take us down. The Bible gives us clear instruction on what we should think about.

Philippians 4:8 says, “Whatever is true, noble and of good report, think about these things”. We are going to make many mistakes and wish for life’s circumstances to be different, but those things should never change how we feel about ourselves. When I realize how the Lord feels about me, it’s easier for me to view life the way God desires I do. The story of the prodigal son (wasteful son) as found in Luke chapter 15 is a parable to which most can relate. We’ve all been there! However, the turning point for the prodigal son is found in verse 17. When he came to his senses, he said, “How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!” (Luke 15:17) Have you ever had to “return” to your senses? Have you ever looked at yourself in a mirror and said something like, “What am I doing and how did I get here?” It was here the prodigal son faced his options. He could either continue in low-life living or he could change his course. He chose to change his course which began when he changed his thinking.
The same options are presented to you and me. When we choose to be reminded daily as to who we are in Christ, and the fact that He loves us reguardless of what we do, don’t do, have and don’t have, we are then living with His thoughts in the forefront of our minds and spirits setting us on course for a victorious Christian life. In Ephesians 4:17-18, Paul writes, “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.

In Romans 12:1-2 Paul said, …And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what [is] that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Paul underlined the power of our mind and how indeed a change must take place if we are going to know who we are in Christ and experience daily transformation. Do you accept who you are in Christ? Without the power of the Cross of Christ working in our lives through a daily yielding to the Holy Spirit, we will never reach our full potential in Christ. But good news! We can change our course by changing our thinking!

[Omumbejja]

Mulongo tukwebaza ekigambo kyotuwadde, tukimalirize nakayimba.

[Mulongo]

“Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled” (Luke 14:23).

Christ is born; therefore, glorify!*

Christ is come from heaven; encounter

Him!* Christ is on earth; arise to Him!*

Sing to the Lord all you who dwell on the

earth and in merry spirits,* O you peoples,

praise His birth, for He is glorified

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen

‘Come; for all is now ready.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I must go to examine them; I pray you, have me excused.” This parable had an application to the Jewish people at the time of Christ, as it indeed does to the Christians today. Most of them did not come to the banquet of salvation that God prepared by sending Jesus into the world. So, He turned to the Gentiles, and to those Jewish people who would listen. The parable could be explained that way, and it would be only truth to be taken home today. And that truth is found also in the song, “Christ is born; therefore, glorify Him!Christ has come from heaven; encounter Him! Christ is on earth; arise to Him!Sing to the Lord all you who dwell on the earth and in merry spirits, O you peoples,praise His birth, for He is glorified.”

While the world commercializes the birth of Christ(Christmas), the Churches calls us to focus on the message of Christmas, which is Christ being born in our hearts to take away all those those things that break the moral fabric of the Church,the family(the cradal of life), the communities where we live and people we interact with. Your Church is not calling you for material gifts, but spiritual gift of love, faith, justice, mercy,charity and utmost good faith . Amen and merry xmas to all.

[Mulongo]

Lineage of Jesus – What is it?

The lineage of Jesus is important according to prophecy. You see, Jesus had to be born in the line of David according to 2 Samuel 7:12-13. Referring to David, these verses say, “When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” The Davidic line reaches through the line of Seth to Noah, through the line of Shem to Abraham. Then through the lines of Isaac, Jacob, Judah, David, and to Jesus.

The lineage of Jesus is recorded in two places: Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:28-38. It seems as if these two genealogies of Jesus contradict. Do they? Most biblical scholars assume that Luke is referring to the genealogy of Mary and that the genealogy recorded in Matthew is of Joseph. The Matthew genealogy follows Joseph’s line (Jesus’ legal father), through David’s son Solomon. Luke follows Mary’s line (Jesus’ blood mother), through David’s son Nathan.

Through both of these lines, Jesus Christ is David’s descendant and is eligible to be the promised Messiah. Tracing a genealogy through the mother’s line is somewhat unusual, but the virgin birth is unusual as well! Moreover, according to the Jewish tradition, a child is a Jew when it’s mother is a Jew.

Okulanya kwa Yesu kuno kutulaga omuntu okumanya obuzaliranwa bwe bwekimuggumiza mu maka, olujja n’olunyiriri era nekika mwaava. Neeri Abaganda okulanya kuno kututwalira ddala emabega okutuuka ku Nambi ne Kintu, abaana ba Katonda. Era nga ddala mu butuufu, olunaku luno olwamazalibwa ga Yesu, lwelunaku lwetujjukira okulanya kwo mwaana wa Katonda. Lwelunaku naffe lwetujjukira okulanya okwaffe nga bazzukulu oba Baganda ba Katonda. Lwelunaku lwetujjukira obuggumivu bwaffe nga Abaganda mu Buganda, era lwelunaku olwokujjukirira ko ne nnono yaffe eyomukwano nokubeera mu bwegaffu mu biseera byonna kubanga omulabe teyebaka.

Ssekukkulu n’omwaaka omujja bibeere bya ddembe ne mirembe ne sanyu.

[Omumbejja]

[Mulongo]

Genealogy of Jesus

Matthew 1
1A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham:
2Abraham was the father of Isaac,
Isaac the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
3Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron,
Hezron the father of Ram,
4Ram the father of Amminadab,
Amminadab the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
5Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,
Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,
Obed the father of Jesse,
6and Jesse the father of King David.
David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife,
7Solomon the father of Rehoboam,
Rehoboam the father of Abijah,
Abijah the father of Asa,
8Asa the father of Jehoshaphat,
Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram,
Jehoram the father of Uzziah,
9Uzziah the father of Jotham,
Jotham the father of Ahaz,
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,
10Hezekiah the father of Manasseh,
Manasseh the father of Amon,
Amon the father of Josiah,
11and Josiah the father of Jeconiah[a] and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.
12After the exile to Babylon:
Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel,
Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
13Zerubbabel the father of Abiud,
Abiud the father of Eliakim,
Eliakim the father of Azor,
14Azor the father of Zadok,
Zadok the father of Akim,
Akim the father of Eliud,
15Eliud the father of Eleazar,
Eleazar the father of Matthan,
Matthan the father of Jacob,
16and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
17Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ.

[Mulongo]

Luke 3:23-38

23Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph,
the son of Heli, 24the son of Matthat,
the son of Levi, the son of Melki,
the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,
25the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos,
the son of Nahum, the son of Esli,
the son of Naggai, 26the son of Maath,
the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein,
the son of Josech, the son of Joda,
27the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa,
the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel,
the son of Neri, 28the son of Melki,
the son of Addi, the son of Cosam,
the son of Elmadam, the son of Er,
29the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer,
the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat,
the son of Levi, 30the son of Simeon,
the son of Judah, the son of Joseph,
the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim,
31the son of Melea, the son of Menna,
the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan,
the son of David, 32the son of Jesse,
the son of Obed, the son of Boaz,
the son of Salmon,[a] the son of Nahshon,
33the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram,
the son of Hezron, the son of Perez,
the son of Judah, 34the son of Jacob,
the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham,
the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,
35the son of Serug, the son of Reu,
the son of Peleg, the son of Eber,
the son of Shelah, 36the son of Cainan,
the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem,
the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,
37the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch,
the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel,
the son of Kenan, 38the son of Enosh,
the son of Seth, the son of Adam,
the son of God.

[Kalibattanya]

Mulongo webale ebigambo byokulanya kwa Mukama waffe bino. Atenderezeebwe Mukama Katonda waffe Omutonzi weggulu nensi nebyonna ebibirimu.

[Mulongo]

“We have never seen anything like this!”

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Edward Albert once wrote, “Some days it is a heroic act just to refuse the paralysis of fear and straighten up and step into another day.”

Christ is in Our midst…Truly….Yes, He is in our midst today, at this very minute, in our times of need, and throughout our journey of Christian life. After meeting with Christ , one is transformed and tranfigured into a walking kingdom . There is, with every encounter of Christ, a missionary call or commission embedded in the soul of the new person. Jesus requires us to go and witness to the events in our lives. The baptimal event, the Liturgical event, the spiritual events and the biblical events. And certainly, a paralyzed man –now freed and undoubtedly shouting and dancing down the streets — is nothing less than a kingdom witness. He is sharing his healing event, the event of love and compassion, the event of mercy, the event of faith presented by the four friends who brought him to Christ.

In Mark 2, we read that,”Many gathered together to listen to Jesus.” To hear Jesus, to hear the word, to be inspired and go on in their lives with the fullness of Christ, to fill that void in their hearts. So many there was no room, “not even at the door.” Well, Imagine that day for a moment using the Church as that very place where those events happened. Jesus is here today, but there is a lot of room. Nevertheless, on that day, there was one man who wanted to come, but could not do it on his own. Why? He was paralysed. There are alot of people in our churches, families, schools,in this very place hear today, in this town who have been paralyzed by their weaknesses, alcoholism, narcotics and all other things that breakdown the moral fabric of the Church, family and society. Yes, we are the family to lift them from the ditch of impossibilities to possibilities, from the pit of no we cant to yes we can. We hear that after the miracle people said, “We have never seen anything like this!” Why they marveled? Because they witnessed the healing of the body and the soul and understood that it is possible. They witnessed a new beginning of a new life better than the old life. See the people of Israel had been taught that because of their sinfulness, God had abandoned them. They believed that God was more interested in their punishment than forgiveness. However, Christ is calling all to the table of forgiveness through this lenten period. Amen

[Mulongo]

Demons entering a herd of swine PART 1

Matt 8:28; Mark 5:1; Luke 8:26

The account when Jesus casts out demons and turns them to pigs is a remarkable story, and is found in three of the gospel accounts. Matthew, Mark, and Luke describe a man who had a host of demons residing in Him.

Matthew 8:28-34 says, “When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. ‘What do you want with us, Son of God?’ they shouted. ‘Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?’ Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons begged Jesus, ‘If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.’ He said to them, ‘Go!’ So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.”

Matthew 8:28-34, Mark 5:1-20, and Luke 8:26-33 state that the demons were concerned about the time, as it was not the “appointed time.” Luke discusses the demons concern about going into the “Abyss” (Luke 8:31). The Abyss is a place for evil spirits and a place of eternal judgment. James 2:19 declares that even the demons believe that there is only “one God,” however the demons “shudder” because they are aware of the judgment of God that they (demons) will suffer eternal punishment. Matthew 25:41 describes eternal punishment (the Abyss) as an “eternal fire.” That would be a place of great torment and caused person, angel, or demon to “shudder.”

Jesus knew His purpose here on earth – to accomplish the perfect will of His Father. Jesus followed His Fathers plans, and did not torment the demons before the “appointed time.” This is why the demons spoke to Jesus. Ecclesiastes 3:1 states, “there is a time for everything…” Apparently the demons had a concern of their impending doom and thought that their number was up and they would be sent to the Abyss.

[Mulongo]

Demons entering a herd of swine PART 2

What I find quite interesting is that, Jesus told the Demons to leave the man, and later people were telling Jesus to leave their area. But this is nothing compared to what could have happened, did the event take place in our times. The whole event would leave people gasping and perhaps a little afraid. But the day after when the PC influenced media had arrived to interview the locals, the story would have started to take a different shape.
a. The farmer would have been demanding compensation for the loss of his pigs.
b. Politicians would have been debating the implications for the health service. Was the huge cost of a whole herd of pigs justified seeing that only one mental health patient was cured.
c. The Greens would have been doing interviews in the media about the polluted state of Lake Galilee – full of pig carcasses – and demanding the person responsible be prosecuted under the Resource Management Act.
d. And then there would, of course, have been the scoffers. Insisting that Jesus was a charlatan because science proves that there are no such creatures as demons.
And in the final analysis the Media would have successfully proven variation 13 of Murphy’s law. “No good deed goes unpunished.”

Jesus example suggests to me that the church is called to resist and challenge the demonic. We say it in the Baptism service. Parents commit themselves to resist evil.

“But how?” We say. “What can we do” Particularly if Jesus example of laying on of hands and casting out of demons doesn’t sit well with us. Well Paul Johnson, Catholic writer and historian suggests that this story reveals 10 commandments for challenging the demonic that are incredibly effective and yet are available to every Christian.
I. Be your true self. Don’t let the world force you into its mould. Jesus knew there would be detractors, but he still healed the man.
II. Love the world by loving your neighbour. No exceptions. It doesn’t even matter if your neighbour is from a different culture, and a mental health patient as well. Jesus example tells us to love.
III. Listen more than you speak. Jesus listened to the man when no one else did. They had all decided he was mad and dangerous and kept their distance. But not Jesus. Jesus even listened to the demons.
IV. Learn a living. Be open to surprises, discoveries and the unexpected. A legion of demons? You would need to be open to surprises.
V. People are always worth more than money. Real life is ultimately relational, not material. I suspect Jesus didn’t even think of the cost. Not when this unfortunate man could be healed.
VI. Be merciful. Full stop. No caveats.
VII. Live in surround sound. Blinkers off. Push the boundaries back. Live without tunnel vision. There is more to reality than that which is scientifically measureable and provable. Reality is also spiritual – as Jesus demonstrated.
VIII. Truth is black and green. It is found both in the Bible and in the world around us.
IX. Force is farcical. Be flexible. Negotiate. Jesus even negotiated with the demons. He gave permission to go to the pigs, even though he could have commanded them. Consensus is better than conflict.
X. Live courageously. It was fear that caused the villagers to treat the man the way they did. But Jesus wasn’t afraid so was able to help when no one else could. His courage enabled him to do what is “right” rather than just what is expedient or what keeps us safe.

[Mulongo]

Now Let’s Pray

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory. for ever and ever. Amen

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.

The Grace
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be with us all evermore.
Amen.

[Mulongo]

In Whose Authority Are God’s People?

Romans 13:1-5 ESV
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.

A Translation
13:1 Let every person be submissive to the governing authorities
Paul commands the Roman Christians to submit to civil authority because civil authority is God’s institution, God has appointed that authority. How do we know for sure, that this is a Godly authority? Can’t the evil one fake authority and force it onto God’s people?
In Psalms 16:11 we read about the presence of God “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Under the God given authority we will witness life, love and joy for all.
The answer to the second question is this; the Evil one can fake whatever he can fake, but he has no authority over you.

13:2 For there is no authority except that which is given by God and those who are appointed by God.
We’ll get a better understanding of this part by reading the following verse.
John 19 11 (ISV), Jesus answered him (Pilate), “You have no authority over me at all, except what was given to you from above. That’s why the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”
He said Pilate had no authority over him at all. What was given to him (Pilate) from above was that part he was playing then, for whatever it was worth.(Remember Pontius Pilate washed his hands of the decision to crucify Jesus). We don’t know if by ” the one who handed me over..” Jesus meant the Priests or Iscariot. But what we know is that, the fellow Jews, who were in their traditional hierachy above Jesus, were the ones who had authority over Jesus the man. And it was them, who had given over Jesus to the Romans who were guilty of condemning Jesus and giving him over to the occupying forces.

13:3 Consequently the one who resists authority, opposes the institution of God, and those who do so will receive judgment on themselves.
Some people resist authority in small ways and some in big ways.People who resist the authority might come to look like they are the authority itself. They can’t just become the authority for desiring to be. They remain thieves who’d broke into God’s fence to terrorise his Sheep and their keeper. Such people who oppose the institution of God will face His judgement.

13:4 For rulers are not a fear to good work, but to evil work. Do you want to not fear the authority? Do good and you will have praise from it.
This is the best part, because it gives us a clear definition of what a true ruler should be, the one who is appointed and whose authority, which is the only earthly authority over humans that there is, is given by God. This ruler should not be feared by people who do good, but ony by people who do evil. And if you do good this God sent authority will praise you. This is not the kind of authority that wants you to elect their thieving friends. Not the kind that gives praises in the form of promotions and riches to every evil doer. Your loving God could never put you under this kind of monkey-power, except if you didn’t trust Him and put yourself there yourself. In this case, you need to run back, find and take the right path.

13:4 For it is God’s servant to do you good, but if you do evil, then fear, for it does not bear the sword in vain. For it is God’s servant, an avenger to bring wrath on the one who practices evil.
This goes on to explain to us what a God given ruler will act like. And this is how you tell him/her apart from the self appointed who are looking for their own self aggrandizement and at your expense.

13:5 Wherefore it is necessary to submit, not only because of wrath, but also because of conscience.Paul commands the Roman Christians to submit to civil authority because of the punitive action of the state (i.e. wrath) and also because of conscience. Inside you is an in built balance of good and bad. You should not act because of fear of the anger of the authority, but also for a clean conscience. Always, take great considerance of your conscience.

13:6 For this reason you pay taxes, for those in authority are God’s servants who persist in this very thing.
Paying taxes is a good thing. Wherever God’s people gather, be it in church or wherever they do things for common good. And paying taxes is when actions turned into currency. So we need to pay taxes to keep the society going. In good or in bad times the society has to be kept alive. Atleast the people have to always try and show God they have hope.

13:7 Give back to all people what is owed; taxes to whom taxes are due; revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due and honor to whom honor is due.
This the Baganda have done pretty well. they pay all that is asked of them to pay, taxes, revenues, fines and all. And they pour their respect and honor to their King, their God given leader.

So dear brothers and sisters, keep praying for deliverance.
Because the power, the Kingdom and all glory belongs to the Father the son and the holy spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

[Kalibattanya]

Thank you Mulongo for this very relevant to the current state of things. And may I add a quote from the book of Matthew chapter 20 verses 25-26

Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

There for the ruler should give blood for the people and not vice versa. If s/he has to, s/he should spill his/hers, not theirs. That’s the example we get from the King of kings, Jesus Christ Our lord.
Let’s praise him singing this beautiful song.

[Author]

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