On 31 January 2026, Pastor Christian Gisanura delivered a special teaching under the theme “The First Month of Worship and Thanksgiving to God Who Protected Us in the Past Year.” His message, titled “We Worship a Mighty God Who Delivers Us from the Blazing Fire,” reminded believers of the priceless gift of life—especially after completing the first month of the year, having passed through many situations that could have claimed their lives.

He said: “Throughout this month of January, God has been with us. Some have lost their lives, but others were rescued by God. We ought to thank Him. This is a day to renew ourselves and seek forgiveness for the sins we may have committed and that displeased God.

It is a special day. God is the beginning and the end. The Bible says it is better to finish than to start. Let us rejoice that we have completed the month. We worship a mighty God who delivers.”

Pastor Gisanura based his teaching on Daniel 3:16–26, the passage that recounts how Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego stood firm in their faith and were delivered from the blazing furnace.

In the scripture, the three men boldly told King Nebuchadnezzar that their God was able to save them from the fiery furnace and from the king’s hand. Even if He did not, they declared that they would never serve the king’s gods or worship the golden image he had set up.

Enraged, Nebuchadnezzar ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded that the three men be thrown into it. The fire was so intense that it killed the soldiers who threw them in.

Yet, to the king’s astonishment, he saw four men walking freely in the fire, unharmed, and the fourth looked like “a son of God.” When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out, it was evident that the fire had not harmed them at all—not even their hair or clothes smelled of smoke.

Drawing from this account, Pastor Gisanura explained that although some people lost their lives during the month of January, many others were preserved by God—reason enough to give thanks. He likened today’s challenges to the fiery furnace, noting that people face different situations and pressures in life.

He pointed out that some individuals compromise their values by engaging in wrongdoing—such as corruption, sexual immorality or other acts contrary to truth and human dignity—in pursuit of jobs, success or survival. He described these actions as forms of worshiping things other than God, warning that such choices ultimately displease Him.

According to Pastor Gisanura, the faith of the three young men came from knowing God and trusting Him deeply. They were willing to face the furnace without knowing whether God would rescue them—yet their unwavering faith stood firm.

He added that many people fall into sin not because they hate God, but because they lack knowledge of His Word or have weak faith. He encouraged believers to study the Word of God diligently, explaining that limited knowledge produces weak faith, while ignorance produces no faith at all. Strong faith, he said, grows from knowing God well and becomes a powerful anchor during difficult times—because God never abandons the righteous.

Pastor Gisanura also addressed inappropriate behavior within families, workplaces and personal lives, urging believers to seek forgiveness for sins committed during January and to thank God for all He has done.

In his closing prayer, he asked God to continue protecting Rwanda, its leaders at all levels, parents, teachers, the sick in hospitals and those facing various hardships. He emphasized that ending the first month of the year in prayer and thanksgiving is a strong foundation for beginning 2026 under God’s guidance and blessings.

The day served as a reminder that God is the beginning and the end, and a call to continue living by faith, doing good daily, and applying God’s Word—especially during times of trial. Pastor Gisanura concluded by encouraging believers to rejoice for having entered the new year, with a renewed focus on prayer, worship and gratitude for God’s grace throughout 2025.