RUN FOR YOUR LIFE by Pastor Fred Wantaate

Hebrews 12:1-2
 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

1. LAY ASIDE EVERY WEIGHT "...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us..."

There is a difference between a “weight" and "sin"

i) A weight is something which in itself is harmless; it may even be legitimate. To others it may be harmless but to you it is a hindrance and an impediment.

Whatever slows you down, whatever hinders speed must be discarded.

Whatever tempts you to walk when you should run, whatever tempts you to loiter when you should   haste...that is weight. It could be a habit, a hobby, a lifestyle, a friendship, an association.

ii) Anything that has more of you than Jesus does has to go if you are to run well!

Whatever is slackening your progress in the spiritual life; fulfilling God's will in your life must go.

Life, circumstances and sometimes the enemy overload us with extra baggage in this race. The burdens from the Lord are light and easy (Matthew 11:28-30).

iii) Some things in life may not stop you but they will slow you down.

If the enemy cannot totally stop your progress, he will settle for second best…slow you down.

If he can weigh you down enough to finish last or second last he has won at least a partial victory.

c. Years ago the pace of life was different. You could miss a bus, a train or a plane but you could recover more quickly and re order your schedule with no major hindrances or loss.

Time is of the essence! Satan has made it his priority to keep the saints of God from their priorities.

Ephesians 5:15, 16

Daniel 7:25 “…wear out the saints of the Most High…”

B. "...and the sin..."

Not just "sin" but "the sin". That which seemingly clings to us

2. RUN WITH PATIENCE "...let us run with patience..."
a. The race for your life can only be run with patience.

Job 14:1
 "Man that is born of a woman Is of few days, and full of trouble."

John 16:33
these things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye may have peace. In the world ye have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

It cannot be run in any other way, but with patience.

Now, the word "patience" means "endurance". It means settling in for the long-haul..
I AM IN THIS RACE TO THE FINISH COME WHAT MAY

 It carries the idea of commitment to the race in spite of the obstacles or the difficulties.

b. Spiritually it is easier to sit when under stress, to lie down with disappointment and patiently wait for the storm to cease.

But the patience spoken of here is the type keeps running under stress, with a heavy heart, with disappointment, with lack, with need.

3. RUN THE RACE SET BEFORE YOU “the race that is set before us.”

i) Each of us run our own race. I can't run your race and you can't run my race.

ii) We are not in competition, but we are on the same team! My job isn't to outrun you, my job is to run for Jesus, the race that He has planned for me to the best of my ability.

iii) Our course has been individually designed! The race you are running has been prepared just for you. The grace to run your lane is different from mine. The best thing we can do is run our race in our lanes to the best of our God-given ability.

4. LOOKING UNTO JESUS "Looking unto Jesus..."

a. Notice despite the many witnesses surrounding us, the Spirit of God reminds us to look to Jesus. Men and women of faith serve as good inspiration and encouragement, but always look higher up to Jesus. Because can fail.

b. Look away from past failure and success; away from human applause and blame. Do not look now and again, but acquire the habit of looking always.

Isaiah 45:22 "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else.”

b. “...the author and finisher of our faith…is set down at the right hand of the throne of God”

 He has sat down indicating the work is complete, the battle has been won. We know the results before the race ends. Jesus has Fixed Our Race For Us

You cannot lose!

"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57

Pastor Fred Wantaate is the Senior Pastor Full Gospel Church Makerere https://www.facebook.com/MakerereFullGospelChurchRUN FOR YOU LIFE

BE CONTENT by Pastor Fred Wantaate

Be Content:  Hebrews 13:5-6
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye
have:for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may
boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

1. The admonition: "Be content with such things as ye have"

a) "Be content with such things as you have," not with things as you once had
not with things as you hope to have, but with things as you have now. 

i) Because life is made of seasons and times. Be content (trust and rest in God;
don't fret,) with what you have until your season changes. 

So enjoy the journey even before you get to the destination.

There are things that are beyond you to change. Be content. 

ii) Age/Mid life crisis.

Have seen men and women who struggle with normal change in their lives. They are in
their sixties and still want to dress and act like teenagers; older men look for
excitement from younger women or older women go for younger men. 

Ecclesiastes 6:9
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire:this is also vanity
and vexation of spirit.

Ecclesiastes 9:9
Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity,
which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity:for that is thy
portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.

iii) Wealth/money and stuff...be content when you have the basic; food, clothing 

1 Timothy 6:6-10
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this
world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let
us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a
snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and
perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil:which while some coveted
after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many
sorrows.

 Our prayers should have more thanksgiving than, give me, give me, give me...

b) For so many it is almost impossible to say I have enough. 

Genesis 33:9-11
And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself. And
Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive
my present at my hand:for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the
face of God, and thou wast pleased with me. Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is
brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have
enough. And he urged him, and he took it. 

The spirit of contentment help bring a reconciliation between two warring brothers. 

Many family disputes over inheritance, authority, money would be solved if there was
contentment. Many business partners, sibling fights, church disputes etc 

"Enough is as good as a feast".

2. The Benefits:

i) Contentment is true wealth. To be content is to be rich and well off. He is the
rich man who has no wants, and requires no more. It is not a question of income or
wealth. 

ii) Contentment brings freedom in your life. To be content is to be independent;
free from manipulation. I don't have strive, beg, lick any ones boots, please any
one, prostitute myself etc. 

iii) Contentment brings peace in a heart. 

Philippians 4:12-13
I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound:every where and in all things
I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

When your source, identity, self-worth is in God (not created things or stuff) your
life will be characterized by contentment, quite confidence and peace. 

3. The Reasons Christians should be contented

a) "He has said.."

Notice Paul does not promise earthly goods, pleasure or temporary reward. He simply
states; "He has said.."

In the face of lack and need remind yourself what God has said. Know the promises.
Nothing is able to deal with anxiety, worry, lack, accusation, critics, haters like
the word of God. 

The lawyers use old cases and previous court judgments when arguing their cases. Use
the word. 

The Bible must be your book of reference and precedents. God has spoken that settles
it. 

b) "..never leave you..." 

On this side of heaven everything will leave you. Change is the Universal law. 

But God says, "I will never leave you!"

c) "The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."
As a shepherd He knows what is best. 

Be delivered from the fear of men, peoples opinion and judgement. God is the final
judge, He has the final say but He is also your shepherd. 




Be Content

Days of Small Things

DAY OF SMALL THINGS by Pr Fred Wantaate Nov.10.2013https://www.facebook.com/MakerereFullGospelChurch

When viewed from a human perspective, rebuilding the temple was impossible at this
time, given Zerubbabel's limited resources. 

"Who art thou, O great mountain!" Or "who do you think you are?"

A. God is committed to you.

Before Zerubbabel not another, but before Zerubbabel God's appointed servant. 

Zechariah 4:7

Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he
shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto
it.

Though the work had stalled for almost 20 years and there was still much opposition,
yet God was still committed to enabling Zerubbabel start and finish the work.

"The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall
also finish it.." Zechariah 4:9

God is committed to you. He wants to work with you.

 There is grace to keep you alive and to enable you so finish your project.  

B. His hands shall finish it.

Every massive project in life done by God’s Spirit there are not only resources to
begin the work, but also resources to finish the work. God is a finisher
(Philippians 1:6).

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you
will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”

God is not a quitter! 

C. When it is done, there will be no doubt; Grace has won the day.

When the work is finished all will confess this was the grace of God.

Joshua and Zerubbabel were not perfect. On top of that they lacked the resources. 

D. Day of Small things. 

Even with the Holy Spirit in your life, there will be days of small things. Small
results, small progress small achievement and unpromising appearance.

 i)    It is not wise to despise “the day of small things”.

Days of small things are not a mistake, God has not forgotten you. It is not a
punishment; they are days of precious things. 

Priceless lessons, shaping of Character and preparation for success are being
achieved. 

While looking for great things, don’t despise small things. 

Notice God calls it a day when that work lay in ruins for almost twenty 20 years.
Totally neglected.

However long it takes, when the change comes it will make it appear as if it was
mere day. The blessing will make your wait insignificant.


ii)      Satan fears the day of small things. 
He will tempt you to despise the day of small things.
Satan fears the day of small things in our lives because he sees what great things
God does in them and brings out of them.

iii)         Heaven does not despise the day of small things
It rejoices over one sinner that repenteth. 
The ministry of Jesus demonstrates the power of investing in the day of small
things. Though tired and hungry He took time to speak to the woman of Samaria. She
ended up bringing an entire City to Jesus.

To the church in Philadelphia, He says, "..I have set before thee an open door, and
no man can shut it; and I will make thine enemies to come and worship at thy feet,
and to know that I have loved thee, for thou hast a little strength..." Revelation
3:8  

“…for the path of the just is as the rising light, which shineth more and more unto
the perfect day. 

v) Despise for the day of small things could prevents it from becoming a
day of great things.

When you despise the day of small things your behavior may hinder it from becoming a
day of great things. 

We feel depressed, we sulk, we murmur and we get offended with God. Some quit and
backslide. This in turn aborts God's agenda and blessing for your life. 

With God, the way to get much is to be faithful and thankful with little.
Thanksgiving is as important as intercession or supplication. 

Let none then despise the day of small things, unless they wish to prevent it from
becoming a day of great things.

PRAISE THAT PRECEEDS VICTORY OVERNITE

Please you are invited for the 31st Over Night @ Makerere Main Sports Ground from 18:00 till morning.
Theme "PRAISE THAT PRECEEDS VICTORY OVERNITE"

Judith Bairye will Minister among other Choirs

 2 Chronicles 20:22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.

THE WIND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT by Pastor Fred Wantaate on 3rd Nov 2013

THE WIND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT by Pastor Fred Wantaate on 3rd Nov 2013

First, He is involved in creation. Genesis 1:2 says, “The earth was without form,
and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the spirit of God moved
upon the face of the waters” 


There was nothing in it desirable to be seen. It was without form, shapeless, void.


it was full of confusion and emptiness; 
It was shapeless, it was useless, it was without inhabitants, without ornaments.
darkness, thick darkness, was upon the face of the deep.



a) This also describes the work of the Spirit in your life and mine. 

Our life without God is chaos. Many times like formless mass of water there is
nothing desirable or admirable about us. 


The Holy Spirit like wind desires to blow upon our formless, purposeless and empty
lives and bring honor and glory to God 


The Spirit of God wants to create in us the personality of Jesus and to breathe into
the formlessness and the void of our life the life of Jesus. 


b) God has loaded us with potential and He wants to use it. V. 9

Though not visible until then God was aware of existence and usefulness of the
earth. He not Adam named dry land earth. 

It was made to appear, and emerge out of the waters, and was called earth. 

Many gifts are buried under the waters of your life and remain unused.

Your life and my life have tremendous potential. But it is the Holy Spirit that
transforms potential into reality. 

b) God is a God of order (V. 9-12)

Thus, instead of the confusion which there was when earth and water were mixed in
one great mass, behold, now, there is order.

The waters which had covered the earth could now be used to for trade, farming,
commerce, sport, food, 

Order makes us useful to God and man. 

Acts 1:8; 2 Timothy 1:7

2. In order to understand the movings of the Holy Spirit as Wind, let us consider
the actions of natural wind. 


i) YOU CANNOT PUT THE WIND IN A BOX

The wind blows wherever it wants to blow.  You can put air in a box, but once it
stops moving it is no longer wind, it's just air.  You can't trap the wind in a box.

 When the wind stops blowing in the church, when the Spirit stops moving, then all
we have left is air.  Often it's just hot air or religion. 

Religion wants a God they can control; they want push the right buttons, pull the
right lever, and get the same results with uninterrupted regularity.  

God refuses to be put in a box and told how and when He can move.  He is a Spirit,
and the Spirit is like the wind.

ii) WIND IS AN AIR CURRENT CAUSED RISE OF WARM AIR 

The sun heats the surface of the earth, warm air rises (because it is lighter) and
cool air fills its space. 

It is known when people gather into a room, the temperature of that room rises. 


Acts 1:14
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and
Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Acts 2:1-4

The fervent heat of prayer generated by believers provides the right conditions for
the wind of the Holy Spirit. 

iii) WIND IS CAUSED BY HIGH AND LOW PRESSURE AREAS

The air flows from a high pressure area to a low pressure area. 

Isaiah 57:15
For thus saith the high and lofty One
that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy;
I dwell in the high and holy place,
with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit,
to revive the spirit of the humble,
and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

God will reach down to those with a contrite heart and a humble spirit. This speaks
of genuine repentance, obedience and humility before God. 

Mary was a young woman with a contrite heart and a humble spirit. 

Acts 5:32
And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God
hath given to them that obey him.

Conclusion 

We can not create the wind. But we can provide the environment for the Wind of the
Holy Spirit to blow.
Sunday Sermon