God Our Refuge and Strength

Unity in Christ

Daily Devotional Theme: Unity in Christ April 3, 2026 Read: Psalm 85:8–13 Romans 15:5–7 The Katikkiro of Buganda recently told the Kabaka’s subjects (Abaami) that many people live and die without ever holding a title, name, or responsibility. He therefore urged them to be thankful and praise God, who caused the Kabaka to notice them and appoint them. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7 “Praise the Lord”, Mukama yebazibwe, Ruhanga asiimwe, Pakarebwe Yesu, Mungu asifiwe, were opak, is a common greeting among believers in Christ across the world. Praising God is the unifying and identifying mark of God’s children. It means honoring God and is a direct command to worship Him. Praising God is a constant theme in the Psalms: 113:1, 117:1, 135:1. Psalm 150:6 declares, “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!” As long as we live, we have a direct duty and command to praise the Lord. Brethren, unity in Christ compels us to praise the Lord both for ourselves and for the successes and achievements of others. Psalm 78:4 says, “We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.” Those in Christ should praise the Lord because: The Lord is Master of our past, present, and future. You know how far the Lord has brought you: from nothing to somebody, from grass to grace, from the pit to prime minister, like Joseph in Genesis 37–41. From an unwanted pregnancy or child to the most precious and beloved member of the family that once abandoned you. From darkness to light. He chose and accepted you to bring praise to Him. 1 Corinthians 1:27–29 says God chose the weak and lowly. Then verse 30 declares, “It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus… therefore, let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” You did not deserve that title, name, or prosperity, but God determined it for you. Prayer Heavenly Father, we cannot change our history, but through union with You, we have hope for our future. Lift up the lowly, the unprivileged, the despised, the poor, and the needy. Reverse their fortunes and raise them to places of honor, for Your glory’s sake. Amen. By Rev Kenneth Kabanda Katusabe

Forgiveness and Community

Daily Devotion Theme: Forgiveness and Community May 2, 2026 Read: Leviticus 19:9–18 Luke 17:3–10 A prominent doctor in Mityana lost his father at 120 years. Friends told him to celebrate, not mourn, such a long life. But one person offered sympathy, and the doctor sighed with relief. He shared: “I’m the lastborn. My father had me at 90. I was only 30 when he died. I had just begun to care for him.” He had only known his father for a quarter of his life. Life is too short to waste on quarrels, jealousy, and hatred. Friends, God calls us to forgive rather than spend our strength harming one another. “Bear with each other and forgive one another… Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13 Many avoid forgiveness because it stirs painful memories. Today, people choose kwesonyiwa, ignoring, instead of okubasonyiwa, forgiving. Why should we lift forgiveness banner high? 🪏 Forgiveness brings peace. It releases bitterness and frees us from sin’s burden. Ephesians 4:31–32. Anger and hatred wrinkle the face. The Luganda says, “Asiba feesi gw’akadiwa”, a gloomy face makes you look old. May God make you a channel of peace. 🪏 Forgiveness brings maturity and resilience. To forgive is okulekera, to let go. When Abraham let Lot choose first, God blessed Abraham’s path, though it looked barren. Genesis 13. That land became Canaan, the Promised Land. God gives a fresh start. 🪏 Forgiveness brings freedom. Unforgiveness cages us. It shrinks our world. If that’s you, hear this call: Come out. Be free. Life is too short for that prison. Christ sets us free. Prayer Heavenly Father, we come with heavy hearts of bitterness and anger. Help us to let go. Release us to live in calmness and harmony. Today, fill us with Your Spirit and teach us the value of forgiveness. Through Christ our Lord, Amen. By Rev Kenneth Kabanda Katusabe

Unity in Christ

Daily Devotion Theme: Unity in Christ May 1, 2026 Read: Psalm 133 Romans 15:5–13 Have you ever met red ants on the road? If you watch their trail, you’ll notice distinct patterns as they move. They often travel in both directions, yet neither stream disrupts the other. Even if you interrupt them, they’ll defend the line with a fierce bite, and their unity remains unbroken. If ants can stay so united, how much more should we, as the body of Christ? “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” Psalm 133:1, NIV Unity means oneness, people bound together in harmony, working toward a common goal. In Christ, we become one body despite our differences, united by shared faith, love, and peace. How do we find unity in Christ? By believing and receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9–10). Real unity, as Gandhi said, “must stand the strongest strains without breaking.” Psalm 133 opens with “Behold”, slow down, pay attention. This unity is “good and pleasant.” During COVID-19, lockdowns kept us safe, but they were not pleasant. Many families and businesses broke apart. Christ’s unity is different, it is both good and pleasant. Romans 15:5–6 says, “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify God.” What does unity in Christ give us? 1. Joy: It is good and pleasant to dwell in Him. 2. Strength: Power to overcome obstacles and challenges. 3. Oneness: Tribe, politics, class, even football teams, Arsenal or Man U, become secondary. In Christ we are ‘ab’Oluganda’, brethren. 4. Peace: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you” (John 14:27). “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts” (Philippians 4:7). 5. Anointing & Blessing: Like oil on Aaron’s head and dew on Hermon, God commands His blessing, “life forevermore” (Psalm 133:2–3). You abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Prayer: Heavenly Father, abide in us as we abide in You, for it is good and pleasant. Keep us anointed and blessed. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. By Rev Kenneth Kabanda Katusabe

God Our Refuge and Strength

Daily Devotional God Our Refuge and Strength April 27, 2026 Read Psalm 46:1-11, Hebrews 13:5-8 Everyone in life is fighting for security. Even people who look strong and well-positioned — the first thing they talk about is their security detail. It’s a major focus everywhere you go. _Protection, Refuge, Fortress._ Those are the words you hear daily. So we build fences, install camera, keep dogs, buy guns, hire askaris and soldiers, and surround ourselves with people who make us feel safe. But let me ask you: What worries you most today? And what is your security? “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble… He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalms 46:1, 10 NIV A refuge is a place we run to when the chaos breaks and the world shakes, the earth gives way, mountains fall and waters roar! We do not fear because God is there. He is not distant. He is present. He is not only refuge from the storm; He is the strength through it. _“The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress”_ v.7, 11. That’s why Hebrews 13:5 promises, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Because He never leaves, we say, _“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid”_ (v.6). So what do we do? “Be still, and know that I am God” v.10. Stop struggling. Drop your weapons. Run to Him for cover and draw from Him for strength. He is both our hiding place and our power source. Affirm it: When the world shakes, I will not because God is my refuge and strength. Prayer Lord, You are my refuge and strength, ever-present in trouble. When life shakes, help me not to fear, for You are with me and will never leave me. Teach me to be still and know You are God, my shelter and my strength today. In Jesus’ name, Amen. By Rev Joshua Ssali Ssalongo

Hope in Christ, The Steadfast Anchor

Daily Devotional Hope in Christ, The Steadfast Anchor Read Psalm 18:1-9, Hebrews 6:17-20 Growing up, we spent hours by the road watching cars. Each time one passed, someone would shout, “That one’s mine!” Sometimes it led to fights — “I called it first!” — until we wrestled our way to an agreement. Our dream was simple: one day, we would own one. That’s hope. “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:19-20 NIV Hope is not a wish. It’s the unwavering certainty that God will fulfill His promise. Like a child who sees a car and says, _“That one is mine,”_ we live with real expectation because God said it. Life is heavy with storms — expensive fuel, delayed medical results, criticism, high expectations, poverty, discouragement. But hopelessness pulls everyone down. Hope lifts us because it’s anchored in Christ, not circumstances. _1 Corinthians 13:13_ reminds us that hope remains. So we trust the Lord with confident expectation that something good is ahead. Christ is our anchor. Sailors throw a heavy piece of iron with hooks into deep water. It hits bottom, holds fast, and keeps the boat from drifting when wind and waves hit. _Hebrews 6:19_ says, _“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”_ Our anchor isn’t thrown down — it’s thrown up, behind the curtain where Christ is. He holds us. That’s why David, hunted by Saul with death at his door, could cry out in _Psalm 18:6_ and then declare in _v.2_, _“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.”_ Deliverance came when he dropped the anchor and trusted God. So what does it mean to be steadfast? It means planted and strong. Like a mango tree in a storm — branches shake, leaves fall, but the trunk stays because it’s rooted deep. When storms hit, drop the anchor — trust God. While waiting stay steadfast — keep praying, keep planning, keep discipling. Because Christ already secured the future, we don’t drift today. Anchored in Christ, we don’t drift. Steadfast for Him, we don’t quit. Prayer Father, You are my rock, my fortress, my deliverer. In every storm I face today, I drop my anchor in Christ, my steadfast hope. Thank You that my soul is held firm and secure in You. Keep my hope alive in Christ alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen. https://youtu.be/rkMapZB8qMk?si=OCaelrR68ZEWZNEB By Rev Joshua Ssali Ssalongo