Editor’s Note
Identity is everything. To lose your identity is to lose everything; and to make a person question their identity is to hinder them from fulfilling their divine purpose. When we question our identity, we begin to second-guess every decision we make and cannot truly live out God’s plan for us. We start to operate from a place of insecurity and fail to step into the places and assignments that we are called into.
Satan understands enough about the power of identity; and being the Devil that he is, he puts it to work against the children of God instead of it working for them. He even used the power of identity to come against Jesus, saying: “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread” Matthew 4:3 (NIV). Of course Jesus knew He was the Son of God and so did Satan. The whole point of Satan’s challenge to Jesus was to get Him to try and prove who He already was. Thank God, Jesus did not fall for it.
For all who have received Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, we have this beautiful affirmation of our identity: “For in Him we live and move and exist [that is, in Him we actually have our being], as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.”Acts 17:28 (AMP).When we understand who we are and who our source is, we live a life of fulfillment and operate from a place of rest. Knowing who we are opens us to the reality of who our source, and ultimately gives us the boldness to fulfill our mandate on the earth.
In this Year of Performance, let us find out who God says we are and embrace it. When we do, we shall have the courage to let go of the limiting beliefs that ensnare us. We will have the confidence to fulfill divine purpose, becoming beacons of hope to those in our spheres of influence and beyond. May you be inspired by this Month’s edition of the Hope Herald as you delve into the articles in it. Get acquainted with the upcoming events of the Ministry, and be encouraged by the testimonies featured in the pages ahead.
For more inspirational material, visit our website: www.abundantlifefaithcentre.org There, you will find past editions of the Hope Herald in a downloadable format for you to read anywhere at your own convenience. You will also find powerful sermon series, articles, testimonies and so much more. We invite you to join us for service at our church grounds every Wednesday: 6:30 to 8:00pm and Sunday:10:00am to 1:00pm. You are blessed!
…for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.”
(1 Peter 2:9)
Getting Back to Order
Order is so important in life. It makes the difference between fruitfulness and barrenness. How is that? You might ask. There are many everyday examples that help us answer that question. It is said, for example, that order is the difference between a forest and a garden. That is correct, and you can see the difference in the yield levels of the two as far as fruit is concerned.
Another close example is our bodies. When our bodies are out of order, they often experience distress. If it is not arrested, that distress will turn into pain which, in turn, can easily progress into disease, then to sickness and eventually even death. This pattern also applies to both plant and animal life.
The same principle applies to a man’s spirit and soul. When a man’s spirit is out of order, his peace is broken. In the case of a soul, disorderly thinking produces confusion and disorderly feelings lead to stress. Let’s bring it even closer. When a person’s finances are out of order, that person is commonly referred to as being in financial distress.
It therefore goes without saying that order is divine, and its origin traces back to God. It is Him who designed and placed everything in its perfect position; and its only Him who can truly restore things to their original order. That applies to everything in need of improvement including your life.
When our lives are out of order, they feel burdened and yearn for restoration. Jesus identified this problem about mankind and also provided the solution to it when He said: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 28:11).
Think about it. When a baby is irritated for whatever reason, the mother very cleverly finds a way to provide rest for the baby from the cause of irritation. In other words, she takes time to comfort the baby. That is what comfort is about – ministering rest to the weary soul.
Today if you are weary for one reason or another, if your thoughts and feelings are out of order; what you need is the ministry of comfort. The good news is that you have a standby comforter waiting to minister comfort to you like nobody else can do. Here is what Jesus had to say about Him: “…the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:26−27)
This May, we celebrated Mother’s Day. As you think about the comfort that millions of mothers provide their babies every day, may you be reminded of the daily comfort available to you from God. May you also embrace orderly living in all areas of your life –spirit, soul, body, financially and socially. Order is the perfect way to a life of peace and prosperity.
Joseph ENYIMU
Mission Week
6th to 11th May and 2nd to 8th June
Youth Fellowship
22nd June | 11:00am- 1:00pm
Every first full working week of the month, we collectively reach out in communities and cities to spread love, light and liberty in word and deed. Join us this June as we bring the whole gospel to the whole world – one soul at a time. To find out the more ways to reach your community and city as a Mission Partner with ALFC, request a copy of our new Ministry Guide or visit ...
https://abundantlifefaithcentre.org/ partner-membership.
26th June | 6:30pm- 8:00pm
Gathering to grow up and grow forward. That is what the ALFC chapter of Youth of Promise will be doing on 22nd June at ALFC church grounds. Make plans to be a part of this youth sharpening event that promises to position you to be on the cutting edge of life and ministry.
Did you know that power and playing go together? That’s correct. When music instruments are played under the anointing, the result is rest for the people of God. That’s what happened to King Saul when David played his harp under the anointing. (1 Samuel 16:23). Come and worship the Lord under anointed sounds in a manner that only you can. Enjoy uninterrupted worship in His presence.
BEYOND SELF
God has gifted men with potential and resources. Heaven demands that this potential and resources are harnessed to advance the Kingdom agenda in the earth. Many times, men are preoccupied with building their “small kingdoms” as opposed to being an extension of God’s Kingdom even when it comes with far reaching benefits.
As believers, we are called to live a higher life that counts beyond ourselves. We are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. This implies that we preserve and add flavor to everyone and everything along our paths. We dispel darkness beyond our relational jurisdiction. The kingdom mindset demands that we do life beyond ourselves with a positive impact on the stories of others.
In Genesis 12:2-3, God addressed Himself to Abraham but, beyond him as an individual; He saw families and nations partaking of this blessing; generations of men being impacted through the blessing bestowed on this one individual. The authentic blessing from God, cannot be contained by a single man; it is more than enough to go around many others.
Being “other minded” is a mark of a man who has gained insight into God’s extravagant generosity. God hasn’t generously invested potential, gifts, talents, boldness, confidence, strength in men to simply make a living, feed themselves, and possibly their family and call it a day!! Every dimension of a man is designed to showcase the glory of God for the benefit of other lives.
Be reminded, there are reasons beyond yourself as to why you are born-again, prosperous, courageous, resourceful!! Yes, you are an extension of His Kingdom to your neighborhood, community and nation. Consider it a privilege and not a burden when opportunity strikes for God to use your hands, potential and resources to touch and change a life as recorded in Matthew 25:34-36 (NKJV). One of the primary assignments of resources in a believer’s life is to “resource” others.
God is aware of man’s sacrifices and service to others with their potential and resources. Your stand with those facing giants, support to those struggling, tutorship and mentorship to those who need direction, encouragement to those who are downcast, prayer for one dealing with affliction, catch the attention of God as they directly speak to His will and purposes for mankind.
God is not unjust to forget your work and labour of love, in due time, there will be a good return on your investment in others. Keep adding value to others and you will enjoy an unbroken cycle of prosperity. Pleasurable experiences will never depart from your life. Live beyond self!
Testimonies
Entebbe, Wakiso | In the last quarter of 2023, Madonnah was plagued by episodes of pain in her stomach. The pain was so intense that each time they came, she had to be hospitalised and medicated to her normal self. The physicians informed her that she had acute ulcers. In October, she did a scan in Mulago hospital and this revealed that her pancreas had a cyst and her liver had increased in size. The physicians prescribed medication, which she was to take every time she ate meals. However, this treatment left her weak and sluggish all day. In January this year Madonnah did another scan but there wasn’t any change in the results. This time, the physicians recommended surgery or injections to empty the liquid in the cyst. Madonnah rejected any such treatment and decided to rely on God. She embarked on a month-long journey to read the New Testament and found rest in God. She was praying and believing God for a change in report. When the discomfort worsened, she took pain relievers. In February, Madonnah did a CT scan which revealed that the cyst in the pancreas had dissolved by itself and her liver was back to normal. Today she is free from that pain. All glory to God.
Ngobe, Seguku | Habiba was going through a difficult period in her life. She was unable to keep her son in school, who had just begun baby class. She sought counsel from one of ALFC's pastors. The Pastor encouraged her to read, study God's word and continue to pray. She took this seriously and trusted God to intercede in her circumstances. Sure enough, the Lord answered her request, and she acquired a job, which allowed her to take her son to school.
Did you know that prayer is a door to endless possibilities? Come, lets us engage this key to receive our desired dreams. Our prayer team is prepared to accompany you in your faith. For prayer agreement, email: prayer@abundantlifefaithcentre.org or call: 0394507090 during working hours (9:00am to 5:00pm)
TREASURE IN CLAY BALLS
A man was exploring caves by the Seashore. In one of the caves, he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled the clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could. He thought little about it, until he dropped and it cracked open on a rock. Inside was a beautiful, precious stone - treasure in clay!
Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars’ worth of jewels in the 20 or so balls he had left. Then it struck him. He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the balls with their hidden treasure in the clay into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away!
It's like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel. It doesn't look like much from the outside. It isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it. We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy. But we have not taken the time to find the treasure in clay - hidden inside that person.
There is a treasure in each and every one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth. May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. May we see the people in our world as God sees them.
2 Corinthians 4:7 "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."
Source: https://www.creativebiblestudy.com
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 the above prayer, welcome to the kingdom of light! We have free materials to help you get started on your journey to an abundant life –a better and brighter future. Simply contact us by email: prayer@abundantlifefaithcentre.org or phone: 0394507090 during working hours (9:00am to 5:00pm)
