ABUNDANT LIFE FAITH CENTRE
Editor’s Note
A nation is as healthy as its families. When communities grapple with high crime rates, homelessness, and moral decay, the question we ask ourselves is, how did we get here? Better yet, how can we avert this trend? Could it be a parenting issue? In this edition, we seek to unravel what makes a distinguished and family friendly man.
As the saying goes, “charity begins at home". The home is the cradle of honor. It is here that a child, at such a tender age, should be brought up in the reverential fear of the Lord. Virtues and etiquette of life are inculcated. Show me an honorable man, and you'll trace him back to a family friendly home where possibly godly parents nurtured, trained, and influenced godly values and morals in his life.
It is this fear and honor of God that enables men to live honorably in society and become those men of purpose, responsible husbands and fathers that God entrusts with families to protect and provide for. When a man understands his God given authority as the head, he aligns himself and comes into God's divine order, where grace is made available to lead people and manage God’s resources as a good steward, becoming the extension of God’s love to his family and others.
Any void or compromise in parenting, especially the absence of fathers in the lives of their families, has far-reaching and, often times, devastating consequences on society. These consequences ripple into the future, affecting the overall quality of life communities and productivity of the labour force in the market place.
A man’s priorities in life will dictate how family friendly he becomes. Abraham was such a man whose priorities were rightly ordered. His relationship with God was what he cherished the most. And because of this, he had sound and healthy relationships with his family and friends, influencing his trade so much that he commanded the attention of the nations. Abraham was that priest who trained up his household in the ways of the Lord so that they followed his faith lifestyle.
For more inspirational messages and testimonies to keep hope alive and build your faith, the Hope Herald is a click away. Visit our website, www.abundantlifefaithcentre.org to download all the previous editions and follow us for updates. You’re also welcome to be part of our services: Sunday, 10:00am to 1:00pm; and Wednesday, 6:30pm to 8:00pm. Blessings.
Rooted to Reign
The world is waking up to the value of a tree. According to the World Economic Forum, “over 100 companies have committed to investing in trees by conserving, restoring, and growing over 12 billion trees in over 100 countries.”
Trees are a big part of our environment and economy. Trees supply the timber used by the construction industry for building houses, offices and factories. They also supply the wood and furniture industry uses to make different furniture and paper products. They clean the air we breathe and hold together the soils we farm on.
It is also from trees that we get many of the fruits we enjoy, as well as the rain for farming, the shade for relaxation in our homes and public parks, the canopy for birds and animals to nest in, and the protection from winds and storms that would otherwise leave destruction of property and lives in their path. In short, trees represent life to families, communities and countries.
Besides the practical services they provide, trees offer us many spiritual lessons. When God deals with a righteous man, He compares him to a tree. Speaking about the righteous, the Bible says:
• …He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (Psalm 1:1−3, KJV)
• …He shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. (Jeremiah 17:7−8, KJV)
• …They [are] called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” (Isaiah 60:3, NKJV)
Notice that God wants us to be recognized as “trees of righteousness”, planted by Him. No man or woman who is planted and cultivated by God remains ordinary. When God plants and cultivates you within His plan for your life, whatever you touch in obedience to Him prospers (Deuteronomy 28:3−13).
So, instead of thinking and walking around as a needy person, start thinking of yourself as a tree planted by God. See yourself as God’s vessel for the supply of food to the hungry, shade for the weary, shelter for the homeless, protection for the vulnerable, healing for the sick, and beauty for the dull and down trodden.
See yourself as an overcomer of the winds and storms of life. No matter the situation in the land of your dwelling, be it an economic famine or a health pandemic, you can count on God who planted you to keep your leaves green all the time. He is willing and able to keep you godly, happy, debt-free, healthy, wealthy and strong in your body and relationships. All it takes is for you to stay “rooted and built up in [God], and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:7). Just don’t uproot yourself from the soil of God’s Kingdom. To God be all the credit and praise!
Mission Week
1st- 6th July, 5th- 10th August & 2nd- 7th September
Sow a lifetime seed in the men and women around you during Mission Week. Make time to pray for your community and city. Your words and deeds of love ignite flames of hope that spread rays of healing to souls and homes beyond the boundaries of your home, office or business address. Together, our actions in the spirit of faith, light up the nation – one life at a time.
Teenagers and Young Adults! Your life is designed to grow and become like a fortified city – stable and secure? That growth begins with having fellowship with the right bunch of youth –“…those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22). of the monthly ALFC Youth Family Fellowship. Learn how to study the Bible, and take off in your journey of adventures of truth and testimonies.
At Kisubi Beach Family Day Out
31st August | 9:00am-5:30pm
20th Jul, 17th Aug & 21st Sept 11:00am- 1:00pm Youth Fellowship
Mark your calendar!! It’s time to celebrate with family and friends, and to reconnect and recharge your life batteries in an atmosphere of faith, fun and freedom that lasts a lifetime. Visit our website www.abundantlifefaithcentre.org/eve to register or in person at the church premises after service.
What Is In Your Heart ?
Scripture reveals that from the age of twelve, Jesus was concerned about his Father’s business above everything else. It’s a pattern we, as believers, are instructed to follow. The Bible in Colossians 3:1−2 encourages us to seek those things which are above at the right hand of God; and to set our affection on the same. What you seek and set your affection on is of interest to our Lord and Saviour. What your heart and mind love and pursue determines every issue of your life.
Jesus, while on earth, taught that when our heart is steadfast, unwavering and prioritizing the issues of the Kingdom of God, all that the gentiles and nations pursue will reverently pursue us and bow before us. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33).
Our hearts are the God given fountains of good things for our lives today. In our hearts, we digest and process everything we shall ever be, every relationship we shall ever have, and every business endeavor we shall ever undertake. Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23). Therefore, let us keep our hearts diligently. Keep in mind that this verse entails guarding against all negativity associated with operating in our earthly sense realm.
Let us have the attitude Abraham had looking for that heavenly city whose builder and maker was God (Hebrews 11:10). We shall be heavenly and of great earthly use.
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)
Kitende, Entebbe | Lydia was going about her day when suddenly she experienced a pounding headache. Despite her agony, she refrained from self-medicating. The headache persisted and grew worse, but with great resolve, she said to herself, “I am going to read my nine chapters of the day in the Bible, and by the time I am done, I don’t expect to be in this condition.” And as she read and studied the Bible, the headache disappeared. She couldn’t tell at what point and chapter it fled, but it sure did. Glory to God!
Makindye Luwafu | Rebecca went through a four-months period of sickness, from January to April 2024. Despite running tests, her doctors were unable to identify what exactly was causing the problem, and she continued to feel ill. One day Rebecca had a dream that got her attention. It had her on her toes. She believes this opened her eyes, and she turned to the Lord for help. Rebecca shared her dream with fellow home cell members, and they joined their faith in prayer for her healing and deliverance based on Numbers 23:23. True to their faith, Rebecca received total healing from what was oppressing her. To God be all the praise.
Makindye Luwafu | The home cell members of Amazon in Luwafu Parish desired to see change in their community. Their roads were difficult to navigate, and were characterized by potholes and lots of dust. The home cell petitioned the Lord in prayer for a better road system to be established in their region. The Lord responded to their prayer, and the government turned its attention on fixing the road network in Makindye. Amazingly repairs started with the Luwafu road, followed by the main road linked to it (Salama- Munyonyo) The home cell members rejoiced at what the Lord had done through their prayer agreement. Glory to God.
Jesus said, “If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father, which is in heaven” (Mathew 18:19). Our prayer staff are ready to agree with you on any things that matters for your total freedom! Simply reach out by phone on 0394507090 on weekdays from 9:00a.m to 5:00p.m; or by email: prayer@abundantlifefaithcentre.org.
The Story of the Cracked Pot
An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.
After two years of what it perceived to be bi er failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. 'I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.'
The old woman smiled, 'Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?' 'That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them.' For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.'
Have you ever felt like this pot with its crack – imperfect and ashamed? There may have been something in your life that caused you to feel "cracked." In all honesty, probably most of us have felt this way at one time or another. Yet what we neglect to realize is that God is sovereign; He created us each unique and when we depend upon Him, amazing things can happen!
”And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’” 2 Corinthians 12:9
~Source www.creativebiblestudy.com
