Keeping the Pace with Rev. Joshua Ssali

Daily Devotional Pictures of Wisdom: The Wrap July 19, 2026 Read Proverbs 8:22-32 As a radio person, one of my favorite subjects was radio drama. We learned to paint pictures with our voices. Every sound, every character, we created it so that the person listening would see the story, feel the scene, as if they were right there with us. That was wisdom. “Does not wisdom call out? Does not understa...

Daily Devotional Song of Songs: A Celebration of Romantic Love July 18, 2026 Please read Song of Songs 8. Remember the days of love letters? Each one came with a dedication; usually the song of the season. That one song would carry the meaning of the entire letter. That was how people celebrated love. “Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires. Place me...

Daily Devotional ECCLESIASTES: The Search for Meaning July 17, 2026 Read Ecclesiastes 3. As people look for relevance, many others are searching everywhere to find meaning. But what is meaning in life? Have you ever paused to ask: Why do I exist? Why am I here? What is the meaning behind what I do? What is the meaning behind what I expect? What is the meaning behind the things I’m involved in? Why...

Daily Devotional PROVERBS: Wisdom for Daily Life July 16, 2026 Read Proverbs 3:1-10 Our diverse cultures carry so much hidden wisdom, and often it’s wrapped in proverbs. In the Baganda culture, direct correction was not always the first approach. If you broke a plate or a glass, mum or dad would not scold right away. Instead you would hear, “There are many more in the cupboard” or even, “Come and...

Hebrew Poetry PSALMS; Imagery - God Shepherd / Refuge July 15, 2025 Read Psalm 23:1-3 and 46:1 Most African cultures use hidden expressions and proverbs that only someone grounded in that culture can truly understand. In the same way, when we hear about "figures of speech" in literature, we can easily connect with one key aspect of Hebrew poetry: imagery. Imagery is simply using pictures...

Parallelism : Hebrew Poetry in Job Read Job 3:1-10 July 14, 2026 One mark of Hebrew poetry is parallelism . This is where two lines carry the same thought. Sometimes the lines repeat the idea, sometimes they contrast it, and sometimes the second line builds on the first to take it deeper. Here is an example from the Book of Job; After everything Job had lost, after his wife told him to _“curse God...

Theme: A Journey Through The Poetic Books Topic: The Heart of God in Poetry Read Proverbs 1:1-7 July 13, 2026 Have you ever read the Bible and felt like some parts just hit different? Not because they are giving you rules, but because they are giving you pictures, songs, questions, and feelings. That’s the Poetic section of the Bible. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools...

Theme : When God is with US! Please read 2 Samuel 17.15-29 All nations employ an intelligence network to weaken the enemy camp. They send agents disguised as loyalists or ordinary citizens to spy out the enemy to know and exploit the weaknesses so that they can overcome the opponent. Usually agents are planted within the nation to help wreak havoc from within. David used the last strategy by plant...

Theme : “The Foolishness of God…”! Please read 2 Samuel 17.1-14 When Paul reflected on the mystery of salvation by the Cross of Jesus, he concluded, “the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (1 Corinthians 1.25). For how can an instrument of defeat be a banner of victory? When God called me out of an academic role it sounded irrational to us and othe...

Theme : The Curses of an Enemy Avail Nothing! Please read 2 Samuel 16.1-23 In the 1980s a Ghanaian man, John Obiri Yeboa, shook the young Pentecostal churches in Uganda. Some, captivated by the miraculous, easily acquiesced to his teachings. He cursed whoever did not agree with him in God’s name. Some of us boldly rejected his heresies. He died in 1987 but we live on by God’s Grace. My interest is...

Theme : The Loyalty of Love! Please read 2 Samuel 15.19-37 Saint Paul writes, “love bears or things, believes all things, hopes of things, endures of things.” (1 Corinthians 13.7). The wise man counselled, “… there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18.24). Love is friends forever, faithfulness or loyalty to each other. Often the loneliest people are leaders, especially when...

Theme : The Sword of Betrayal! Please read 2 Samuel 15.1-18 One of the most painful experiences in human relations is betrayal by one you love dearly, including at work. The use of the word ‘betrayal’ suggests a close bond. Judas Iscariot was in the closest circle of Jesus. And Jesus loved him. The small ‘morsel of bread’ was culturally what the master of a home gave to an honoured guest. Governme...

Theme : Beauty and the Beast Please read 2 Samuel 14.25-33 The main character in the movie Beauty and the Beast is a truly handsome man who had transformed into an ugly and monstrous beast for his insufferable character. He lived in a castle away from people. Yet underneath his badness was a lovely person longing to be loved. Absalom had good looks, opportunity, and entrepreneurship, admirable qua...

The Mind of Christ Daily Devotional Christ’s Mind of Stewardship Read Genesis 1:26-30, Philippians 2:1-11 Everything that is made has a purpose. Until it fulfils that purpose, it is useless. The same is true for us. You were created for a purpose. And until you discover it and live it, you will feel empty and unfulfilled. So ask yourself: Why am I here? “God blessed them and said to them, “Be frui...

The Mind of Christ Daily Devotional Christ’s Mind of Eternal Perspective Read Philippians 2:8-11, 1 Peter 5:6 Let me take you back in time to something we heard growing up: “If you want quick money, grow pawpaws. If you want wealth, grow coffee.” Do you connect? Pawpaws are fast. In 6 months you have fruits and money! Coffee takes years. But coffee builds a legacy. And honestly, that’s how we live...

Daily Devotional Christ’s Mind of Servanthood Read Philippians 2:7, Mark 10:35-45 Have you noticed that today, people measure greatness by position? If you want to be called “great,” you must have status. You must have power. You must have wealth, affluence, and everything you need. And when you do, people recognize you more for what you have than for who you are. I see it often. When I travel, th...

Daily Devotional Christ’s Mind of Obedient Submission Read: Philippians 2:8, Matthew 26:36-46 In many African cultures, kneeling before elders is a sign of respect; a virtue we should not lose. I did it myself until Senior 6, when my parents said I was grown and should stop. But outward kneeling can be misleading. I’ve heard people say, ‘I am kneeling, but inside I am standing.’ That is compliance...

Daily Devotional Christ’s Mind of Sacrificial Love – Others First Read Philippians 2:4; and Romans 15:1-3 Growing up, we loved playing football. Whenever there was a foul in the penalty box, we would count five strides to take the penalty. But honestly, we would always take six. We would start with ” Kimu Kya ggoolo ” - one for the goalkeeper, then count, “One, to five.” Do you see how that attitu...

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,...

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 o...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....