ALFC Hope Herald December Edition 2022

Editor’s Note

Glory to God in the highest, peace on the earth good will toward men (Luke 2:14) – the heavenly hosts sweetly sung upon the fulfillment of prophecy. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). One of the most fascinating names of Jesus Christ is “Prince of Peace”. Isaiah continues and declares that “Of the increase of His government and PEACE there will be no end” (Isaiah 9:7KJV).

It is amazing how the aspect of peace is emphasized at the birth of Jesus. You see, the fall of man marked the beginning of toiling and it robed man of the world of rest that God had ordained at creation. When Jesus was born, God’s redemption plan begun and hope was restored in the hearts of men. As we celebrate Christmas this year, may we be reminded of Jesus Christ as the Prince of Peace. True peace cannot be found apart from Him. Friends, be encouraged, the peace Jesus gives is not as the world gives (John 14:27).

As a ministry we would like to wish you a wonderful season of celebration. To all who have been consistent readers of the Hope Herald, thank you for journeying with us throughout this year. Inside this issue, we recollect how our year has been at ALFC. In November we had a one-week grand celebration of our 33rd Anniversary, oh how memorable it was! Catch a glimpse of what transpired and the years’ events in a pictorial here in.

This edition of the Hope Herald and all the previous editions can be accessed from our website www.abundantlifefaithcentre.org. In order not to miss out on any issue of the Hope Herald, we encourage you to sign up to our mailing list and a copy will be promptly delivered to your email. We also welcome you to join us for our services every Wednesday at 6:30 – 8:00 pm and Sundays at 10:00am to 1:00pm. You are blessed!

And when the Lord Jesus has become your peace, remember, there is another thing; goodwill towards men. Do not try to keep Christmas without goodwill towards men

~ Charles Spurgeon

From The Pastor’s Desk

Emmanuel: God Revealed in Us

In the Old Testament Book of Exodus, we see God instructing Moses in great detail about the design and features of the sanctuary of His dwelling. The supplies for building God’s sanctuary were to come from the people of God: “Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering…And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it.” Exodus 25:2,8-9, NKJV).

God instituted the order of temple worship in the Old Testament with an end purpose in mind. That end purpose was for Him to have a place of meeting with His people, where He would reveal Himself to them as their deliverer from bondage: “And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by My glory. So I will consecrate the tabernacle of meeting and the altar. I will also consecrate both Aaron and his sons to minister to Me as priests. I will dwell among the children of Israel and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them up out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.” (Exodus 29:43-46, NKJV).

The design of the moving sanctuary (tent of meeting) we read about in Exodus is what informed the design of the magnificent temple that Solomon later built as a permanent house of God. When we crossover to the New Testament, we see Jesus referring to himself as the temple of God: “Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body. Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.” (John 2:19-22, NKJV)

What does all the above mean for you and me? As New Testament Believers, our bodies are the temple of God. They are also the ‘tent of meeting’ with God. Daily communion with God is the key to us being sanctified – set apart by the glory of God from what is common (or from mediocrity).

Are you seeking a way out of the bondages that many have become accustomed to? Or do you simply want to excel and become distinguished in your gifting and sphere of work? Take time to connect with the God in you. It was the tent meeting experience that equipped Israel to break loose from bondage and excel among the rest of the nations. It is no different with us. How high we rise in life depends on how well we connect with God in the tent of meeting. That is what the coming of Jesus has made possible for the believer. May you have a Merry Christmas 24/7 for the rest of your life.

~Pastor Joseph Enyimu

Ngobe, Wakiso | One morning while at work James Arinaitwe begun to experience bodily weakness. This grew to the point that he could no longer sustain himself on his feet. He was rushed to the hospital and tests were carried out. The doctors discovered that his sugar levels were very high and so was his blood pressure. James was then transferred to the Intensive Care Unit(ICU) to manage the condition. As he was being wheeled there, he recalled how he had been wheeled out of the ICU back in 2018. He begun to confess to himself that as it had been then, so shall it be again. James refuted the doctor’s report in his spirit and encouraged himself in the Lord until he felt peace in his spirit. He did this despite his body not responding to treatment as expected. Brethren in the church lifted up prayers for his life. One of the pastors went and shared holy communion with him. After this, the blood sugars in his body begun to respond to the treatment. In a few days he was wheeled out of ICU to the ward and eventually, he was discharged from hospital. Today James enjoys a healthy and happy Life. Glory to God.

GOD IS LOVE

Ngobe, Wakiso | Florence’s children were unable to go to school because of the financial situation at home but they attended Children’s church at ALFC. One Sunday the children received a Hope Package from church that had books and pencils. In the same period, the people who had registered them for bursaries returned and were able to take them to school. As she was still jubilating, the bank notified her that it would take possession of her house if she defaulted once more. She had a few days left to the due date of payment yet she didn’t have money enough to pay. The Lord channeled help from the saints at ALFC, her neighboring church. On hearing her predicament, they arose together and helped her settle the debt she owed, this saved her house. To this day, she marvels at the mighty hand of God.

Entebbe, Kampala | Since 2018, Lydia evaded applying for a particular Job. But the Lord gave her several dreams pointing to a new workplace. Following this, she submitted her application and CV. She was called for the interview which she passed and was given the job in September 2021. By the time they gave her the appointment, she was sick. Many times when she got to her workplace, she would feel all her strengthen was drained. Week after week she just felt a strong urge to resign but the Lord sustained her there. After six months she was appraised, and to her surprise, it turned out well. She was told that she had been head-hunted because of the prayer ministry on her life. She glorifies the Lord for the time she has spent at her Job, knowing she wasn’t only employed but deployed by God.

Are you in need of Prayer?

God is in the business of answering prayer, He says call unto me and I will answer you. (Jeremiah 33:3) The ALFC prayer team stands ready to call on the name of the Lord with you. Bring your burdens to the Lord who knows no defeat. We are waiting to hear from you and to agree with you for a victorious outcome. Write to us by email prayer@abundantlifecentre.org or send a text message (SMS) +256 (0)785 807 650.

CORNER

You Are Never Too Young To Come To Jesus YOUTH

Young people need Jesus too! You are never too young to come to Jesus Christ. It does not matter which grade you may be in Preschool or in college, you can come to Jesus Christ. Actually, the Word of God encourages young people to have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ despite their age.

Psalm 119:9 says, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word?” Here, we see that God wants young people to read and meditate on His Word because it is through this that they can learn about the Lord and how they should live.

In first Timothy 4:12 the Bible says, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” God wants young people to be an example of Jesus Christ in everything they do or say. Likewise, Ecclesiastes 12:1 says to “Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth...” In other words, while you are young, take time out to get to know Jesus Christ for yourself! Purpose to serve the Lord with your talent and gifts. Be of service to the Lord, honor Him with your gifts and talent. And be a witness of the goodness of the Lord. Remember you are never too young to give God the glory that He deserves!!!

~ Wilson Musoke Youth Minister, ALFC

MISSION WEEK

A RECAP OF 2022

@ ABUDANT LIFE FAITH CENTRE

ALFC, rejoices at the faithfulness of God throughout the year. From the many couples joined in holy matrimony, to the baby dedications, we experienced God’s generational blessing. This was also evident at the official commissioning ceremony of the ALFC’s Pastoral and Ministerial team; the Lord set shepherds over us as in Jeremiah 23:4

More avenues of service emerged with launch of the hospitality department. We also celebrated the gift of each other in a fun-filled family day out. ALFC held its first ever Hope Health Camp in October and our community experienced the love of the Lord through that outreach. The ministry has also consistently and unwaveringly reached out through its Monthly Mission Week campaigns, preaching the gospel and supplying relief items through the Hope Packages. Through this, lives have been refreshed and hope restored in many families.

In November 2022, ALFC marked 33 years of Life in the Gospel. God’s majestic presence has carried us all year long. Indeed, we have tasted of the Lord’s goodness!