ABUNDANT LIFE FAITH CENTRE
Editor’s Note
Generations come and go, but the Lord remains. He keeps building something with each passing generation. And He has accorded us the opportunity to be part of it. You can say He has the blueprint of what the world should look like. The scriptures teach us that “anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the kingdom” (Luke 9:62 TLB). Each one of us ought to locate our part in His vision. And become a part of what He is doing.
You see, God has a work for you, and He has provided tools with which to accomplish this work. These are the gifts and talents that you walk in. When you are operating within your God-given design, your efforts are endowed with divine power, and your life becomes a testament to His grace and faithfulness. You flourish in all areas of life, bringing glory to God in your relationships, work and stewardship of resources. Because you are working with Him to accomplish a particular goal.
Consider Hannah, the lady known to be barren. She located her part and worked with God. She wanted a son, but God desired a prophet for the whole nation. She aligned her desires with God’s will and plan. Hannah offered her child before she ever conceived him. So, God opened her womb and didn’t only give her one son but more children (1 Samuel 2:5). Hannah from then on had a new song; she was a fruitful vine. Knowing we are doing something that adds to God’s vision in our day brings true fulfillment.
Just like Hannah, the Lord has turned situations around for men and women in our day; you will read their stories in the testimonies section in the pages ahead. Catch up with what is happening at ALFC in the events section and plug in.
If you are looking for inspirational material, our website is the place for you. There you will access all previous editions of the Hope Herald, sermons, testimonies, and the like. Simply visit www.abundantlifefaithcentre.org today. You are welcome to join us for an in-depth study of God’s word in our services on Wednesday 6:30pm-8:00pm and Sundays 10:00am-1:00pm.
Peace, Power Prosperity &
whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” (Mark 16:25).
Note that the believer is in the world but he is not of the world (John 17:14). It therefore follows that there is nothing in the world that a believer can find peace in. For a believer to try to find peace in the things the world has to offer is for him to live in error and ultimately disappointment.
Choosing the path of peace is however not an excuse for living a life of failure. The believer who understands the nature and source of peace is also one whose life will rise and shine so brightly to the extent that it arrests the attention of the world around him. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).
The scriptures command the believer to live a distinguished life – a life that reveals divine wisdom and strength as opposed to natural advantages. “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.” (Isaiah 60:1-3).
Since peace does not come from the world, there is nothing in the world that is able to stop the believer from fully living out his divine potential without his permission. If you are tempted to entertain excuses for why you cannot reach your dream, I have good news for you. You can stand up to that temptation, reject it and instead join the company of the shining stars. After all, that is what you are – the light of the world (Matthew 5:14−16).
Yes, as a believer, you are called to shine in your area of grace. That is possible wherever and whenever your light is needed. Your power to shine does not come from what you have but from who you have. “…greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John4:4). Just be sure and serious about staying connected to the power source of your light – the Holy Spirit who indwells you.
PLANNING
WITH
WITH GOD:
GOD:
LIFE OF PURPOSE NOT HAPHAZARDNESS
LIFE OF PURPOSE NOT HAPHAZARDNESS
The Christian life is not a random walk-through existence; it's a purposeful journey guided by God's hand. It's a partnership, a collaboration between our efforts and divine orchestration. The idea that faith negates the need for planning is a misconception. In fact, faith and planning are not mutually exclusive; they are two sides of the same coin. Hope sets the target, and faith pulls the trigger. Hope gives us a vision, and faith empowers us to pursue it. It's about aligning our aspirations with God's grand agenda and actively participating in His unfolding plan.
ed in God’s promises, serves as a compass, pointing us toward the destiny He has envisioned for us. It is the confident expectation of good things to come, based on His unwavering character. Faith, on the other hand, is the engine that propels us forward. It's the unwavering belief of what God has promised; and what He is able to perform. It's the active ingredient that transforms our hopes into tangible realities.
passive recipients of God's grace; we are co-workers with Him, actively participating in His divine agenda. 1 Corinthians 3:5-9 beautifully illustrates this partnership: What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So, neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building. This passage emphasizes that while God is the ultimate source of growth and success, He chooses to work through us. We have a vital role to play in His plan.
e is not a passive gift to be received and then forgotten. 2 Corinthians 6:1 warns us not to receive God's grace in vain. It's meant to be active, transformative, and productive in our lives. It's meant to connect us to a power source that enables us to achieve what we could never accomplish on our own. This grace empowers us to align our lives with His purposes and to see those purposes come to fruition.
Planning with God is not about creating a rigid roadmap for our lives. It's about cultivating a heart that is open to His guidance, a mind that is attuned to His wisdom, and a spirit that is willing to follow His lead. It's about partnering with Him, using our gifts and talents to fulfill His purposes, and living a life that reflects His glory. It's a life of purpose, not haphazardness, a life of faith-fueled action, and a life that truly matters.
Hope BALINDA
Katale, kungulatale| Lillian, a nursing student, underwent fertility tests before getting married. The results left her believing that she was the living epistle of a fertile womb. Lillian and Barnabas married in 2021. She conceived immediately thereafter, but three months later, the fetus got a complication, and there was no heartbeat. The doctors prescribed an abortion, and this was carried out. However, the first people that responded to the couple’s plight sowed seeds of faith. They gave them faith-building materials and testimonies that carried them through this ordeal. Eight months down the road, Lillian conceived again but still lost her baby in the same manner. In 2023, Lillian still went through two medically recommended abortions. At this point, the doctors told her that her womb couldn’t carry a baby past three months and that the couple couldn’t parent biologically. However, they chose to believe the report of the Lord and completely immerse themselves in God. In early 2024, Lillian conceived again against the doctor's advice. The couple witnessed the hand of God carry them through each setback and disprove the doctor’s findings. Despite the many hospital visits, recommended bed rests, and expensive treatments. Lillian carried to full term and put to bed a bouncing baby. Today they are biological parents. Praise be to the unfailing God.
Entebbe, Bwebajja| Noela bears witness to the faithfulness of the Lord. During an evening of worship, she joined faith with Pastor Wycliffe in prayer for a job. A few weeks after that, she miraculously got an offer and began training and orientation, and in January 2024, she started work. In April, the same year she graduated from Law Development Center. This had been her prayer to finish in one year, and the Lord answered it. Still in April, Noela held her traditional wedding, and in November, she and her husband entered into a covenant in Holy Matrimony. In many ways she experienced the hand of the Lord carrying her through each one of these events in her life. It was undoubtedly a year of performance for her.
Muyenga, Bukasa| A few years ago, Cissy was blessed with land in Bukasa, and she got a title in her name. She then wondered how she would build but meditated on God’s word and believed God to help her fulfill her desire. She began to deposit payment on materials for the house as an act of faith. The Lord was faithful!! She slowly and steadily saw the structure rise, get roofed and completed. Last year, the year of performance, Cissy moved into her home.
HANDMADE WITH LOVE
Youth Corner
God the Potter is sovereign over the clay, but also the Potter can be trusted for He is good and does good (Psalm 119:68). His hands are where the ordinary becomes extraordinary!
Life can feel like a lump of clay. How often we find ourselves unable to see beyond our everyday failures to our God-given potential. We feel helpless, directionless spinning around on this wheel called life.
There is hope though, because there is a Potter. He is the one that shapes, molds and brings meaning and purpose to life. He can be trusted. He waits for us to place ourselves in His hands.
The thought that someone took time to use their skills to craft an object with their hands makes it that much more special. It‛s exciting to see the art of craftsmanship coming back! In the same way, God the Potter places on each of us a tag that says, “Handmade with Love.” Value is not found in just uniqueness or even the material from which an item is made; value is based on its creator.
Any violin can be used to make music, but the extravagant price of a Stradivarius is based upon its maker. Any painting is basically paint on a canvas, but when it bears the name of Da Vinci, Van Gough, or Rembrandt, few can afford it!
The same has been said of you. You are truly a masterpiece, not because you are better and more valued than others, but because of the One Who made you.
“For we are God‛s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” EPHESIANS 2:10 NLT
Source; www.creativebiblestudy.com
Are you in need of Prayer?
YOUTH CORNER
At some point, everyone needs someone to hold their hand while they walk through the thin and thick moments of life. We really need each other! Allow us walk with you as prayer partners no matter the twists and turns in your life journey. Call 0394507090 during weekdays from 9:00am to 5:00pm, or email prayer@abundantlifefaithcentre.org.
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, ALFC has a free package to help you settle in your faith and get started on the journey to a victorious life. Call 0394507090 or email us frontdesk@abundantlifefaithcentre.org
0785-807-650 / 0704-903-593 www.abundantlifefaithcentre.org
f rontdesk@abundantlifefaithcentre.org
Hill, Entebbe road. Uganda