NOVEMBER 2023 EDITION
Editor’s Note
Hello our esteemed readers; welcome to the November Edition! When you hear the word “harvest” mentioned, what is the first thing that comes to mind? I believe words like “abundance” and "multiplication" quickly resonate. The Bible in Psalms 65:11−13 paints a beautiful picture of a timeless message of God's lavish provision and our appropriate response to it.
King Solomon's wisdom, as conveyed in Ecclesiastes 3:2, emphasizes the cyclical nature of life, with designated times for both planting and reaping. Harvesting implies the existence of a preceding planting season. It serves as a reminder that our actions today are the seeds we sow for tomorrow’s harvest. The principle of seed time and harvest underscores that our diligence and consistency in pursuing growth lead to mastery. Greatness is born from unwavering persistence and patience, even when instant results aren't apparent (Galatians 6:9).
To reap bountifully from the harvest, we must sow seeds of faith. This entails trusting in God's precious promises to come to pass and following through on His guidance. Cultivating a heart of gratitude, practicing generosity, obeying His instructions, while surrounding ourselves with godly influences, allows the Holy Spirit to work freely in and through us.
Friends, as you position yourself in the season of harvest, avoid complaining, and steer clear of complacency and distraction with worldly concerns. Practice good stewardship and guard against pride. Remember, both riches and honor come from God – the ruler over all. (1 Chronicles 29:12).
As you read on, be rest assured that you will be blessed by the inspirational power-filled articles. We have also shared with you some of the stories of the wonder-working power of God in the lives of His people in our midst.
If you are looking to connect with us further, and to learning more about the Hope Herald and other activities that we are engaged in as a ministry, we recommend you visit our website: www.abundantlifefaithcentre.org. There you will find content that will enrich and fill you with hope for a better tomorrow. We also welcome you to join us for service at church on Wednesdays (6:30 to 8pm) and Sundays. You are blessed!
www.abundantlifefaithcentre.org
Who are Your Role Models?
One of the highlights of the 2023 ALFC Family Day was a group competition where we had to recite nursery rhymes – one group after another and without repeating a rhyme. Our minds were quickly pushed to overdrive as we rushed back into our childhood memories to pick and follow what rhymes we could remember. It was a microwave memory experience. What amazing moments and memories!
Isn’t it fascinating to watch and listen to children learning about life and their environment using rhymes? The same thing works when it comes to living a victorious life. There is a rhyme that we must quickly pick up and follow. It is called faith. Each one of us needs to find and follow a faith role model. The phrases “follow” and “Christ” or “faith” are often used together in the New Testament as seen in these verses:
• …Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men (Matthew 4:19)
• …you should follow my example, just as I follow Christ’s. (1 Corinthians 11:1)
• Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:22)
• Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. (Hebrews 13:7)
We learn from the above verses that faith can be modelled and followed. In other words, it is one thing to preach and teach faith, and another to practice it. Effective spiritual parents do not only teach their children in the Lord about the walk of faith. They also model faith in their everyday lives.
The message of faith should be alive in both our words and our walk. The two cannot be separated. The Apostle Paul always referred the saints under his ministry to both his words and his walk of faith. “… ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:34−35)
Elsewhere, he told them “For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain…Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe…ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.” (1 Thessalonians 2:1,10−12)
Do you want your life to be pleasing to God? It is impossible to do it without faith (Hebrews 11:6). As you purpose to follow Jesus every day, make sure you do so in the company of saints whose faith can be a practical pattern for you to follow.
Joseph ENYIMU
www.abundantlifefaithcentre.org
Christmas Celebration Service
MISSION WEEK
Have you ever desired to see your surroundings change, the streets clean and the crime rate low? Then we invite you to be a part of the ALFC December Mission Week. Together we will extend the Gospel to the community and watch the power thereof begin to transform minds, hearts and reshape the community and its state.
4th- 10th December 2023
Are you a teenager or young adult looking to grow in your study of the Word?. The ALFC Youth fellowship is for you. Come rediscover yourself in te scriptures in a safe and fun environment. Worship the Lord with like-minded believers, and your youth days count.
16th December 10:00am- 12:30pm
New Year’s Celebration Service
31st December
As we conclude the year, we are thanking and praising God for the many manifestations of Forward Flow that our eyes and ears have witnessed in 2023. We will crown 2023 with spirit-filled worship, faith-building teachings and hope-giving
Way to a Harvest
One of the greatest scientists, Sir. Isaac Newton stated in his third law of motion that “for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction”. In simple terms whatever one does (action) triggers a result (reaction) in equal measure to create balance.
This concept is not restricted to the physics of motion but cuts across all spheres of life; spiritual and physical. Truthfully, this is more of a spiritual law than mere physics; it came into force way before the great scientist!
Actions and reactions have been (and are) at the center of human existence and growth since time immemorial. Their origin and cannot be attributed to human wisdom. God has established a rhythm that reverberates across all spheres in the process of propagating life. This rhythm is what gives rise to what we refer to as the law of sowing and harvesting. Upon the hearts of audacious and progressive minded believers is the law etched to fulfill God’s intentions of continuity; call it a reward system.
“While the earth remains seed time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease” (Genesis 8:22, NKJV). Here we observe that God is big on sowing and harvesting. Sowing and harvesting are a must and inseparable. By design, God’s reward system to mankind is hinged on the law of sowing and harvesting.
The question of whether to or not to sow has been settled. Every harvest is a product of a seed. No great harvest comes by accident! “And [God] who provided seed for the sower and bread for eating…” (2 Corinthians 9:10, AMPC). None is without seed and ground to sow in. Seed is in various forms; words, actions, finances, prayer, thoughts etc.
God has been (and is) extravagantly generous in providing seed but the onus is upon us as believers to sow and enjoy the full benefits of His reward system. A seed in hand has no returns until sown.
“Do not be deceived God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” (Galatians 6:7, NKJV) There is no more debate over being a beneficiary of God’s reward system without taking into account the necessary action!
As believers, we are mandated to sow. Good harvests come to those who sow. Harvests are a direct response to sowing. It is deception for one to think of harvesting without sowing. God has qualified everyone that applies themselves to this law for a harvest with certainty. One’s relationship with sowing will always be revealed by the harvest.
Remain consistent in sowing seed and you will remain consistently present in the harvesting arena. Men shall see you and call you blessed.
TESTIMONIES
Nakawa, Kampala | A few years ago Wycliffe noticed that his mother (93 years old) was losing her sense of hearing. At times he would call her and she wouldn’t respond. She would also speak so loudly when communicating. That’s when he and his family noticed that there was something wrong. They then took her to the hospital for a check-up. The doctor checked both her ears, and noted that one of her ears was in bad condition and the other one had partial hearing. So the doctor recommended using hearing aids and insisted that she would need them. Though pricy, they purchased them. And for the next two and half years she was using them. One day she wondered why she had to wear these gadgets in her ears. She realised that this isn’t how God created her. She prayed about this issue and so did her family. This particular morning as she was praying, she heard a lot of noise, like a crowd shouting, she imagined there must be many people around. She arose to check but didn’t see the crowd. Right then she noticed she didn’t have her hearing aids on. How could she have heard? Her ears had opened right there!! Today she hears so well and talks calmly, proclaiming the works of the Lord’s goodness.
Wakiso, Entebbe | Lydia thanks God for ALFC which has become her solution ground. She is grateful for pastors that take time to listen in from God and draw out answers for the congregants. One Monday morning she dropped her son (Jethro) at the day care as always but felt the prompting to pray for him which she did before leaving for work. At 11:00am, she received a disturbing call from the day care administration saying that her son had been burnt. When she got off the call. Lydia prayed and asked the Lord to help her and He did. She was able to remain calm throughout this trying time, her workplace required that she finishes an assignment before she leaves and she was able to do so. When she got to her son, she was in utter shock at the extent of the burns. Tears flooded her eyes. Jethro’s thigh was so burnt that his skin was literally falling to the knees. She just took him to the hospital and had him treated without complaining. Lydia told herself that she would be testifying of her victory over this incident by the end of the month. After two weeks Jethro had greatly improved to the amazement of the doctors. His wounds were already healed yet he was just on normal medication. After one month, he had fully recovered and his skin was restored. Lydia thanks the Lord for divine healing upon her son. Glory be to the most high God.
There once was a young boy with a very bad temper. The boy's father wanted to teach him a lesson, so he gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper he must hammer a nail into their wooden fence.
the first day of this lesson, the little boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. He was really mad! Over the course of the next few weeks, the little boy began to control his anger, so the number of nails that were hammered into the fence dramatically decreased.
It wasn't long before the little boy discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Then, the day finally came when the little boy didn't lose his temper even once, and he became so proud of himself, he couldn't wait to tell his father. Pleased, his father suggested that he now pull out one nail for each day that he could hold his temper.
Several weeks went by and the day finally came when the young boy was able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. Very gently, the father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence.
"You have done very well, my son," he smiled, "but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same."
The little boy listened carefully as his father continued to speak. "When you say things in anger, they leave permanent scars just like these. And no matter how many times you say you're sorry, the wounds will still be there."
Bible Verses on Anger "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city." (Proverbs 16:32)
Author Unknown
Source: https://www.creativebiblestudy.com
Prayer Of Salvation YOUTH BITE
Are you ready for a relationship with Jesus as your Lord and savior? It begins with a simple prayer in faith. Here is one you can repeat out loud enough to hear yourself:
“Dear God, I accept your forgiveness of my sin. I believe with my heart that you raised Jesus from the dead for my benefit, and I now declare Him to be my savior and Lord.”
Amen
JOIN US FOR SERVICE
Abundant Life Faith Centre is a non-denominational church with a mission to proclaim hope for a better tomorrow. If this resonates with you, consider joining our church family. Our services take place every Wednesday (6:30 to 8:00pm) & Sunday (10:00am to 1:00pm).
DO YOU HAVE A PRAYER REQUEST?
Do you have a need or an issue that you would like to share? Please feel free to let us know, and we will stand with you and watch God work tremendously in your life. Write to us through our email: prayer@abundantlifefaithcentre.org. or text us on +256 785 807 650. The ALFC prayer team is readily available to join faith with you.
P.O Box 9905 Kampala, Uganda