ALFC Hope Herald 2023 March Edition

FORW ARD FLOW

2023 Year of: POWERED BY PRECIOUS PROMISES

Editor’s Note

As the year commences, we often draw a picture of what we would want the year to look like. Many put to paper their vision and hope or commit to see it fruit. But between where you are and where you want to be is a gap that you must bridge to realize your vision and success. One of the things you will need to equip yourself with is a good plan. (Proverbs 29:18) It will draw the map to where you are destined to go. Plans give structure to your days’ activities and ensure orderliness in your life.

For one to have a good plan, you need to tune your ear to hear God’s voice because only He can establish them. (Proverbs 16: 1-9) Even if you hear His voice behind you, you would do well to follow and harken unto Him (Isaiah 30:21). That is because God is all knowing and all powerful and yet ever present. He knows the end from the beginning. He has good plans for you and will bring forth an expected end (Jeremiah 29:11),. Your heart can safely trust in Him. Let Him assist you draw your plan for the year, months and days ahead.

When you write down a plan, it will keep you alert and focused without being distracted by what looks sincere yet unfruitful to your main goal. This year, give yourself to a plan that has its backing from God and His promises. Then prepare to walk through with it to the end and achieve its purpose.

In this edition, you will find inspirational, uplifting and hope-giving articles. Find courage in these words to go on living your best life today. Included in here also, are stories of God’s working power in the lives of everyday people just like you.

Would you like to receive a copy of this monthly newsletter? Simply log onto our website www.abundantlifefaithcentre.org and sign up to join our email list. The website also has great materials to equip you in your daily walk with God. We invite you to join us for our in-person services on Wednesdays at 6:30 to 8pm and Sundays at 10:00am -1:00pm. We will be delighted to have you. Always remember to keep hope alive.

EVER READY

One of the outstanding products that I still remember from my secondary school days is a brand of batteries named EVEREADY. Back then, access to electricity was limited to a few areas and it was quite unreliable. Having a torch with you at school was therefore something that was high on almost every boarding school student’s list of requirements.

In those days, the EVEREADY brand of batteries was the brand of choice for most students because it shone brighter and lasted longer. That meant you were spared from frequent purchase of batteries and you got to save your pocket money. As a ‘boarder’,  that was very important because it could mean the difference between having a cup of tea with or without sugar.

Fast forward to our lives today as saints, and you find that the principle of being ever ready is top on God’s expectation of us when it comes to handling money and material stuff. “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate” (1 Timothy 6:17-18, KJV).

The believer is called to be on standby when it comes to distributing to the necessities of saints and sinners alike. In the mind of God, there is no reason why any of His children should be found at a point where they are unable to answer to the need that God wants them to solve. When you understand that God is not depending on you but His grace in you to take care of the needs of those He leads you to give to, the idea of being a distributor of blessings becomes easy to handle.

According to the Bible, “God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and  whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].” (2 Corinthians 9:8, AMPC). Wow! There is nothing in that verse that sounds like being broke or “I can’t afford”.

Now, granted, there are many who are not yet experiencing that level of prosperity today. If that is you, never mind. You are not alone and you are not the first to be in that position. You are however a candidate for this grace-kind of prosperity. What does it take to get there? It all starts by you accepting that the grace-kind of prosperity is God’s vision for you. Don’t argue and resist it. Before long, you will be saying to yourself, “why not?” instead of “poor me”.

What a high calling! God thinks very highly of us and it is time we size up and start thinking the same. Let’s lay aside the religious and traditional thinking that have for so long limited many of our minds with the idea that we don’t need to expect much - we need just enough for us and our loved ones. Well, guess how many people are God’s loved ones. That’s everybody, and it sets the level of how large our expectation should be as distributors of the grace-kind of prosperity.

So, let’s accept to “…be rich in good works” and to be ever “…ready to distribute”. I want to warn you though. You don’t get to that place with any ordinary mindset. It takes a mind that is “…willing to communicate”. In other words, a mind that is eager to give and receive; a mind that is sold out to “distributing to the necessities of the saints…” (Romans 12:13).

Joseph ENYIMU

MISSION WEEK

2nd April – 7th April

We are taking the gospel to our communities! Come and be a part of this or partner with us @ https://abundantlifefaithcentre.org/partner-membership as we bring the light of the gospel and hope to families all around us. Together we can impact the world.

Mark

Theme: Building Relationships on God-Centered Culture

Venue: Entebbe Botanical Gardens

15th April 2023

10:00am – 6:30pm

PLANNING: COMMIT YOUR PLAN UNTO GOD

In the journey of Forward Flow, we need a plan to help us stay on track while listening to God's voice to guide us along the way. This will ensure that we stay focused with our priorities and goals straight.

The Bible has this to say, "Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run." (Proverbs 21:5 MSG). Planning allows you to enjoy God's best. When you commit your plans totally to Him, then they will surely succeed (Proverbs 16:3). Seeking God's counsel will always make you prosperous and grant you favor with men (Proverbs 13: 5).

God knows the end from the beginning, we must depend on Him for guidance. Committing our plans to Him prevents us from doing what may appear to be the right thing but later leads to disaster (Proverbs 14:12).

And this is how we plan:

We begin the planning process by seeking God for what He has for us to accomplish. The key is to meet with God, get our directions from Him, and then be obedient to do as we have heard. There is no substitute for a committed study of God’s Word. It is essential to take the time to plan based on God’s guidance before taking action.

Planning should be informed. What do we know about what we wish to accomplish, and if we don't, who knows and can provide this information? Without counsel, purposes are frustrated, but with many counselors, plans are realized (Proverbs 15:22). Our initial ideas may be wildly o -base. Before beginning, we should carefully evaluate our human and material resources.

Planning should be sequential. After determining what is required to achieve our vision, we must then determine what must be done rst, second, third, and last. In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul teaches the same truth: one servant plants, another waters, and another reaps. Elsewhere, the Bibles says, [Put primary concerns rst] Build our house and establish a home, then prepare our outdoor labor and the eld for our arrival (Proverbs 24:27).

Plan for who will do what and how you will initiate the necessary relationship if it does not already exist. It is crucial to delegate tasks to the correct individuals. Carefully consider who we recruit and hire. Those who assist in bringing our plans to fruition must possess the necessary expertise. Either plan to acquire the skill or hire someone who already possesses it if it is possible to delegate.

~ Hope Balinda

Katale, Wakiso | David testifies of the Lord’s faithfulness. In 2019 the Lord instructed him to leave the job he was doing to support his family. Since then, he has seen the Hand of the Lord in his family. When his wife was pregnant with their second child, God spoke to a certain couple to take care of their antenatal bills. As they were set for the delivery of their child in the hospital, there was need for an emergency C-section to save both his wife and their child. This process was successful though it put a strain on their finances because they had planned for a normal delivery. They trusted the Lord to help them through. And He did! God, through a friend settled their remaining hospital bill before they even reached out to anyone. God is truly faithful.

Ngobe, Makindye Sabagabbo | One day while listening to a lunch hour program, Fredah heard a lady testify about how the Lord had always provided for her hair needs through people. Fredah held on to this testimony and desired the same result in her life. Sure enough, she has enjoyed this result for a year now.

Fredah also thanks God for renewing her mentality and refreshing her love for the community where she lives. It was home for many drunkards and different evil altars. But through intentional prayer and outreaches during ALFC’s monthly Mission Week, she has been able to extend hope to many families and their children. She testifies that one of the ladies known to sponsor an evil altar has turned to the Lord; and many in the area continue to shun evil practices. Glory to God.

Plan your day with care. Set things in order according to proper priorities. Don't put things off for tomorrow if they can be done today. Maximize your time well and you will be able to manage your future

~Dr. Handel Leslie

God’s Love Never Wears Out

I came across a saying that "God’s love is like an ocean, you can see it’s beginning but not it’s ending." This made me pause and think for a while; God is the creator of heaven and the earth, He is omnipotent, omnipresent and is not in need of anything we can give as human beings but He loves us so jealously that nothing can change His love for us. The Lord knows and sees the flaws and bad side of our flesh yet this doesn’t change His constant love for us.

In Luke 15:12 -32, Jesus tells us the parable of the prodigal son. This account is a perfect example of God’s love for us, even when we make bad decisions or sin. God’s love remains present, infinite and endures forever regardless of our conduct. God is always ready and willing to welcome us back with open arms. Isn’t it wonderful to know that God’s love for you will never run out and become empty as long as you accept it. Romans 5:8 tells us that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. This means that God so loved us to the extent that He gave us His only Son to come and die for our sins that we may not perish but forever be in His loving-kindness that is better than life (Psalms 63:3).

God does not love us because we are good but He makes us good because He loves us. Our feelings of being loved may come and go but God’s love does not.

Nothing is purer than God’s love. It is forgiving and unconditional. He is there for us like no one else. We just need to have faith in His presence because there is no place too dark for His love to penetrate. God loves us too much; and the best way to find love is to find God (1 John 4:16). If there is rest under the sky, it is found in the assurance that God’s love will never wear out on you.

~Barnabas Ssozi

Prayer call

Have you found yourself weighed down by life’s situations? Do you need someone to agree with in prayer? ALFC’s prayer team is ready to stand with you. Reach out to us with a text message: +256

785807650 or by email: prayer@abundantlifefaithcentre.org

Homecell Connections

Did you know that at ALFC, a homecell is a hopecell? If you are looking to find hope-inspiring relationships with everyday people like you, simply call, text or email us. We’ll be glad to look you up and hook you up with one of our homecells for an ever-increasing hope experience.

PR AYER OF SALVATION

Are you ready for a relationship with Jesus as your Lord and Savior ? It begins with a simply prayer in faith. Here is one you can repeat out loud enough to hear yourself :

“Dear God, I accept your forgiveness for 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 saviour and Lord.”

If you prayed the above prayer, you just got born-again. Please call, text or email us for assistance on how to live and grow as a child of GOD