ABUNDANT LIFE FAITH CENTRE
There are times in life when we face situations that shake us to our core. In such moments, it is easy to become discouraged as we focus on our circumstances and lose sight of the greater purpose ahead. Yet, it is in these very moments that we must yield to God, allowing Him to work through us and remind us to live as those who have been made alive in Christ. Our lives should reflect the relationship we have with Him; for the life we now live is the life of Christ.
The Christian life is not merely about good works—though they have their place. Christianity is a call to embrace a higher life, one that transcends the natural and enters into the realm of the eternal. It is a call to embrace life and immortality. Scripture teaches us that God’s purpose and grace for saving and calling us “… has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” (2 Timothy 1:10)
This means that through our submission to, and partnership with the Giver of Life—Jesus Christ—we accept the invitation to a higher kind of living. We are empowered to resist the death of anything good in and around us. Because Christ came, we can speak life into every situation. We have the boldness to resurrect dead dreams, the faith to call abundance into places of lack and the grace to live out our full potential. For “…as He is, so are we in this world” (1 John 4:17)
We invite you to enjoy another great edition of the Hope Herald. May the words within stir up your faith as you explore the articles, testimonies, and upcoming events of the ministry.
For more inspirational content and ministry resources, visit our website www.abundantlifefaithcentre.org. There, you can download previous editions of the Hope Herald, listen to powerful sermon series, read uplifting articles, and much more.
We also invite you to worship with us: Wednesdays, 6:30 to 8:00pm; and Sundays, 10:00am to 1:00pm We look forward to seeing you!
“For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.”
(1 Peter 1:23)
(1 Peter 1:23)
VISION FOR A HIGHER AND HAPPIER LIFE
“Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bring it here. And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you loosing it?’ thus you shall say to him, ‘Because the Lord has need of it.’” (Luke19:30-31, NKJV).
This is an instruction from Jesus to His disciples as He was going about His Father’s business. At the point of giving this instruction, He was journeying from Jericho to Jerusalem and was nearing the village of Bethany, on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. It is then that He decided He needed to proceed to Jerusalem on a donkey.
In the days that Jesus walked this earth in person, donkeys and horses were the most advanced means of transportation. It is not farfetched to compare getting a donkey that no one had ever sat on back then to getting a brand-new car straight from the show room in our day. Interestingly, when Jesus’ disciples informed the owner of the donkey why they were untying his donkey, they simply said “The Lord has need of him”; and he let them proceed without further question (verse 34).
What does that tell us? Many things. First, it triggers the question of how Jesus came to know there was a ‘brand-new’ donkey in the opposite village (verse 30). I believe He did so by the leadership of the Holy Spirit, which He was able to recognize and follow because of His continuous and unbroken fellowship with God. It pays to be spiritually awake and alert!
Secondly, we note that when you are about the business of the Father, the earth and the fulness thereof works for you and not against you. Jesus Himself said so: “…seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)
Thirdly, the fact that Jesus chose to ride a “brand-new” donkey for the purpose of doing His Father’s business tells us that God is perfectly fine with us as His children using first class things for ministry and our own enjoyment. After all, it is “…the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17).
Lastly, Jesus made use of a “brand-new” donkey without paying money for it. The lesson there is that with divine guidance and favour, you can have access to great things and places without necessarily first paying money or stealing them. Your faith in God and His willingness to proper you are of greater strategic value than your financial net worth. “Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold.”
(Proverbs 3:13-14)
So, make it your mission to go about the Father’s business and nothing in life will be too good for you.
Mission Week
4th - 9th August 2025 | 1st - 6th September 2025
This month, we once again, collectively practice being our neighbour’s keeper. We will reach out to the distressed, hopeless and lost. Purpose to take part in Mission Week and bring hope to someone. The gospel of Jesus has the power to change a person’s life. Consider becoming a Mission Partner with ALFC to help spread the Good News of God's grace across the country and beyond. For more information on partnership with ALFC, Visit: https://abundantlifefaithcentre.org/partner-membership
Youth Led Service
17th August, 2025 | 10:00am- 1:00pm
You are invited to join us for an experience of God's presence, led by the youth at ALFC, under the theme “Pressing Ahead in the Spirit of Faith.” Catch the fire in the Holy Spirit-soaked atmosphere throughout the service. This is the place to be! Bring a friend.
Youth Fellowship
21st September, 2025 | 2:00pm- 4pm
Join us in experiencing the presence of God. Discover how to improve your ways and transform your mindset. Are you a teenager or young adult seeking a community of like-minded individuals to grow with? ALFC Youth Fellowship is the place for you.
ALFC Family Day out |
30th August, 2025
Join us for a joy-filled day; we will be celebrating life in a fun environment, all under the theme "Perfectly United in Christ."Bring your friends, family, and neighbours—everyone is welcome. Simply register with us to join the festivities. Let's create lasting memories.
PRAYER OF SALVATION
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!
If you just prayed as guided above, welcome to the kingdom of light! We have a free package to help you settle in your faith and get started on the journey to a victorious life. Simply contact us by email: prayer@abundantlifefaithcentre.org We’ll be glad to walk this journey with you.
The Discipline of Personal Prayer
In Matthew 21:13, Jesus declares that His house—referring to us, His people—shall be called “a house of prayer” by all nations. Throughout His ministry, Jesus not only modeled prayer but also taught about it with such passion and detail. Let us explore two principles, secrecy and open reward, that He introduces in Matthew 6:14.
“That thine alms may be in secret, and thy Father, which sees in secret, Himself shall reward thee openly.” (Verse 4). Here, Jesus teaches that when we give in secret—seen only by God—we position ourselves to be rewarded by Him openly. God sees what others cannot, and He honours the heart behind our actions. In showcasing our virtues to others, He adds value to us (rewards) openly.
Jesus likens these principles to personal prayer in the subsequent verses. “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.” (Matthew 6:5)
Jesus talked about the motivation for our personal prayer. He points out the danger of praying with the wrong motives—seeking recognition rather than intimacy with God. He used the word hypocrite in relation to prayer. It means someone whose words and actions are di erent from the true intent of their heart. In the context of prayer, it’s someone who prays not to commune with God but to be seen and praised by others.
While people may eventually notice a strong prayer life, this should never be your motivation. The purpose of personal prayer is to commune with God, not to be applauded by man. Jesus emphasizes this further in Matthew 6:6: "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."
Jesus introduces the concept of a closet – a de nite location or room with a door. This isn’t limited to a physical room but refers to a sacred space where no one sees you, and you have no interference or interaction with your surroundings. This may include switching o radios, TVs, appliances, noises and mobile phones. Here, your dialogue with God supersedes every earthly thing. You become fully taken up and engrossed by the person and presence of the One you are talking with.
In that secret place, our conversation with God becomes personal, undistracted, and deeply meaningful. And then comes the promise: God will reward openly what is done in secret. Just as in giving, the principle applies to prayer. The time we invest in private communion with God will never be in vain. He sees every moment, hears every word, and responds in ways that others can see and recognize. Personal prayer has rewards!
Testimonies
Katale, Kungulutale| Lillian attests to the Lord’s goodness. Last year, she learned largely from the Women of Faith at her church about the concept of “buying without money”, as described in Isaiah 55:1. She embraced this teaching, and it bore fruit. Towards the end of her pregnancy last year, she received the necessary materials for her daughter, all to her liking, without spending any money. She simply imagined what she wanted, and it came to her. Lillian also returned to school; she had worked for an organization and waited for her allowances, knowing that they would cover her tuition. However, new management at her workplace resolved not to pay outstanding allowances. Lillian took this matter before the Lord, believing she had ‘tilled’ the land and would be satisfied. Indeed, their allowances were realized, and she was able to
Zana, Makindye Ssabagabo| Agaba bears witness to the healing hand of God. In August 2024, he was challenged by a life-threatening disease—pneumonia. He sought help from doctors; however, the medication they gave him left him with trouble falling asleep (insomnia). Whenever he lay down to sleep, he felt like he was drowning; he kept wheezing and experienced what felt like water in his chest. One evening he noticed a difference in the rhythm of his breathing, so his wife drove him to the hospital. For the first time, the doctor got an oximeter to check him. And indeed, his oxygen levels were low and continuing to drop; and the doctor rushed him to another hospital. There, Agaba was immediately placed on oxygen support for two days. While there, he held on to Jeremiah 30:17. “I will restore your health and heal your wounds, says the Lord.” True to His word, Agaba recovered and is completely healthy today.
PRAYER ALTAR
Are you in need of prayer or encouragement? Our dedicated prayer team is here to join faith with you and believe God for your breakthrough. Feel free to reach out to us. Simply email us: prayer@abundantlifefaithcentre.org. We are waiting for you.
Youth Corner
IN THE FACE OF REGRET – JUDAS
In Matthew’s gospel, chapters 27-28 tell us the story of Jesus’ sacrifice and the greatest miracle that gives us hope today. Chapter 27 picks up with the story after Jesus has been betrayed by one of His very own disciples, Judas.
Let’s not rush over Judas. I was talking with a friend recently who shared this observation: Judas looked like the other disciples on the outside. He was included in the group of 12 who walked, talked, fellowshipped, and ate with Jesus. He witnessed the miracles.
He saw the healings. But his heart was far from [Jesus]. It reminded me of the verse in Isaiah that says, “Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men.” (29:13).
Judas sat at the table with Jesus yet walked away. How many times have we sat back in disbelief that he would do such a thing? Yet, we also push back from His table. We leave the intimacy of His presence to chase lesser things and we betray Him as well. Yes, we may honor Him with our words but our hearts are far from honoring Him.
As Chapter 27 begins, we see Judas again. He has already betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver and has collected his “reward.” Verse 3-5 says, “Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that he had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!” Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.”
One of the most heartbreaking things in this story to me is that Judas was there when Jesus taught about forgiveness. Judas was there when Jesus told about why He was sent to the Earth. Jesus offered Judas the same forgiveness as He does to you and me. I wonder if Judas had accepted Jesus’ forgiveness, would he have heard the same words found in Genesis 50:20: “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”
Before we look down our nose at Judas too harshly, let’s take time to examine our own hearts. How many times have we pushed back and betrayed Him? How many times have our hearts been far from Him? Let’s not make the same mistake as Judas. Let’s do the one thing we wished we would have read about Judas. Let’s repent and run back to His arms and bask in the intimacy of fellowship with Him. He is waiting with open arms. How do I know? Because the story was far from over. Our story isn’t over yet either. If we are still breathing, there is still time for our comeback as well.
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).
