A Christmas Devotional
Immanuel…God with us. We know this Christmas truth, but so easily forget it in the day-to-day. We say that God controls every detail of our lives and is masterfully orchestrating the good and the bad in all of our circumstances and relationships for His glory and our good, but we still worry and struggle to control that which we’ve said is under God’s control.
We aren’t the first ones to know the truth and forget it. Moses was told before returning to Egypt, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land…” (Exodus 3:7-8). Yet, even though God Himself told Moses that He had seen, heard, and has come down, Moses continually took matters into his own hands, even to the point of striking the rock in anger, disqualifying himself from entering the land of promise.
We, like Moses, are prone to forget. But God knew our tendency of forgetfulness; that’s why He instituted holidays. He knows we must be reminded of the truth we already know. He named Jesus, Immanuel…God with us. Every person indwelt with God has Immanuel alive in his heart.
This Christmas holiday, may we remember the truth that God has come down to us. He is with us. He is in control, and we can trust Him. This truly gives us peace and joy that we can extend to the world.
Enjoy the presence of Immanuel!
Shannon and Danielle
Baptisms at Community Bible Church of Kubamitwe
The amazing testimonies from yesterday’s baptisms were diverse, reflecting the unique differences of each individual. Some were raised as Muslims. Some were raised as “Christians”. Some tried to follow God’s standard. Some openly rebelled from God’s ways. Yet, the testimonies were identical. They all confessed to having been slaves of sin but then were freed to righteousness.
And the means of their salvation was the same: they all heard the Word of God taught. Some heard it through village Bible studies taught through our local church. Some heard it through personal Bible studies taught by believers in our local church. But the transformation came through the taught gospel, because, “in it (the gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith…” (Romans 1:17).
Salvation comes through the revelation of the righteousness of God. It doesn’t come merely by observing salt and light. Some believers spend their whole lives in this dark world, thinking that their kind smiles and benevolent gestures ending with, “God bless you” will somehow transform lives since we all know that actions speak louder than words. While our actions must validate our words, they are no substitute for bold language. As one person baptized reminded us, “How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?...So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:15, 17).
This baptism service was a sharp reminder of the power of the spoken gospel. Hurting souls need more than good deeds. They need loving truth—that they will probably at first resist. But true love perseveres, regardless of personal cost.
May we boldly proclaim the gospel because we love people too much not to.
Dr. Tony & Holly Gordon – new SOS missionaries
Please pray for our new missionary family that is currently raising support to join the SOS team in Uganda! Tony and Holly and family have a heart for missions and a love for Uganda. Among other things, they will be bringing their medical training to SOS community as part of a planned medical clinic adjacent to the SOS campus.
Our relationship with Sufficiency of Scripture ministries in Uganda started in 2011 with our first trip to visit the ministry and teach in both a women's conference and a small regional pastor's conference. While there we felt the peoples' need for quality medical care and saw their hunger to understand God's word better. We left that trip with a dream that maybe one day God would call us back full-time.
For more information visit their website, or you can financially support them here .
http://www.gordonsinuganda.com/
Special Interview with Joni Eareckson Tada and
Shannon Hurley
Recently, Shannon had the opportunity to sit down with Joni and share their hearts for the disability affected. SOS is now partnering with Joni and Friends to provide biblical training and care for the disability affected in Uganda. Contact Us if you would like to share in this partnership or learn more...
Are you new to SOS, or would just like additional information? We’ve recently completed several new videos that provide an excellent overview of the ministry, the STC and long-term vision for church planting, and Legacy Christian Academy. We have also prepared a PowerPoint, linked below in PDF format, which is a great way to share and communicate SOS to others.
Shepherds Training Center Vision
Legacy Christian Academy - Be A Hero
End of Year Giving Opportunities
God has been SO GOOD and we are so thankful for our SOS family, the faithful prayers and support. Thanks to your generous giving and prayers, SOS Ministries continues to grow and bless us all with such sweet fruit. As the ministry grows, with opening of The Shepherds Training Center in February (training 60+ local pastors), addition of a 6th grade class to Legacy Christian Academy (bringing the total students to over 400!), and planned addition of a new local church to serve our community, would you prayerfully consider a year-end donation (or becoming a monthly sustaining partner)? The needs are many. God is faithful and we trust His provision. Please Contact Us if you have any questions or would like any additional information. Quick links to a few of our main giving needs are provided below, or you can click the Donate Now button below for more options.
New Local Church https://secure.egsnetwork.com/donate/9252505D2A504C7
Legacy Students https://www.egsnetwork.com/gift2?giftid=DA64DDBFACD7437
Prayer and Praise
As we celebrate an amazing 2018, and look forward to 2019, we ask that you join us in these praise reports and prayer requests:
* Praise God for His provision, for providing and sustaining the ministry these past 17 years
* Praise God for the faithful servants at SOS in Uganda and our partners in North America
* Praise God for the sweetness and like-mindedness of the North American Board of Directors and the Uganda Board of Directors
* Pray the Lord would continue to raise up faithful supporters
* Pray the Lord would raise up additional ministry leaders, both in Uganda, and in North America, as we seek to more effectively carry out our mission
* Pray for our missionaries and their families, for their marriages to be strong, their children to grow spiritually and confess Christ as Lord
* Pray for continued unity and effectiveness of the Uganda senior leadership team
For additional information or questions...
1.877.4UGANDA info@sosministries.com
