Theme: GREAT GRACE
Text: Acts 4:33, Acts 2:36-41.
EXHORTATION
All glory to God Almighty, for our salvation and preservation through the finished work on the cross and His manifold blessings to us in Christ Jesus. Alleluiyah! Thanks to Him for the victory we have through the atoning blood shed on the cross of Calvary for our redemption. We are eternally grateful.
Last month, by the direction of the Holy Spirit, we prayed on the theme: "The Atoning Blood of Jesus Christ". It was a timely prayer predicated on His Previous Blood and His Power of Resurrection. It is our utmost belief that the impact of this Prayer shall be witnessed for a testimony in every area of our lives. And that this impact spans into months and years ahead. Amen!
This month, the LORD has enjoined us to pray on the theme: GREAT GRACE. This was the grace first bestowed on the apostles at the moment they became baptized in the Holy Ghost at Pentecost. In other words, they received Great Grace after the Pentecostal Experience; this Great Grace also led to the Holy Ghost Revival that cut across Jerusalem, Judea and (later), other parts of the world. -Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:1- 24. Understand also that this happened after the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
So, what is Great Grace?
We know that, by the mercy (and love) of God, Grace is the divine providence that opens door for salvation of mankind Titus 2:11). Grace is the free gift of God, Ephesians 2:4-9. The greatest grace is the salvation of mankind purchased for us through the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross. The impact of God's grace touches every area of our lives.
Great Grace is the aftermath of the Pentecostal Experience, subsequent to salvation. It is the grace to do the supernatural [exploit or extraordinary] by the impartation of the Holy Spirit. This applies to both individuals and the church in general.
Acts 2:36-41 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, THEY WERE PRICKED in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, WHAT SHALL WE DO?
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them ABOUT THREE THOUSAND SOULS."
What a great feat! -The first of its kind achieved by the apostles when the Holy Ghost bestowed Great Grace upon them!
AFTERMATHS OF THE GREAT GRACE DURING THE TIME OF THE APOSTLES.
The aftermaths of the Great Grace during the time of the apostles include, but not limited to:
(i) There was willingness and steadfastness to serve God in spirit and in truth. -Acts 2:36-42.
(ii) The Holy Ghost empowered the people to evangelize with boldness with signs and wonders following. -Acts 4:31-33,
(iii) Miraculous Healing and Other Wonders. For instance, the Lame Man healed at the Beautiful Gate), -Acts 3:1-17, Acts 2:43.
(iv) 3,000 souls were added to the church in one day! -Acts 2:36-41.
(v) 5,000 souls believed and were saved and added to the church. -Acts 4:1-4.
(vi) There was sacrificial giving towards the spreading of the gospel; growth and development of the church was evident. Also, the needy were adequately taken care of. -Acts 4:34-37, Acts 2:44-45.
(vii) There was unity and consistency in worship, the LORD continually added to the church daily, such as should be saved. Acts 2:46-47.
(viii) Multitudes believed, with diverse miraculous healings [and healings by shadows of Peter] -Acts 5:12-16.
(ix) Healing and the dead raised back to life. -Acts 9:33-41.
(x) Peter rescued from prison. -Acts 12:7-17.
(xi) The crippled healed. -Acts14:8-10.
(xii) Paul and Silas delivered miraculously from prison. -Acts 16:16-26.
(xíii) Many more healings. -Acts 19:11-12.
(xiv) The disciples were beaten and attacked on many occasions, but were not deterred. Rather, they counted it all joy to have sufferred for Christ. That was Great Grace in action! -Acts 5:40-42, Acts 16:16-23, 37, 21:32, 22:19, 23:1-3, 18:17.
(xv) There was no lack of any good thing; spiritual, material and physical blessings were released upon the church. -Acts 4:31-35, Acts 2:44-45.
IMPACTS OF THIS GREAT GRACE IN OUR DAYS
1. Salvation & Eternal Life. -Ephesians 2:8, 1:7, Titus 2:11-14.
2. Power to Evangelize with notable results. -Acts 1:8, Acts 2:31-41, Acts 4:4, 9, 18-20
3. Spiritual & All-round Wealth [Riches of His Grace]. It is made available in Christ; we only need to learn, obey and appropriate/apply it to our lives. Coloss.1:17, 2Corinthians 8:9, John 1:3, Ephesians 1:7, 2:7, 3:8, Matthew 6:33.
4. Power to overcome any [and every] obstacles on our ways -Zecha.4:6-7.
5. Supernatural Ability to do/ accomplish ALL things [or Anything] we want. -Philip 4:13,
6. Unquantifiable and unimaginable blessings in Christ. -1Corinthians 2:9, 2Peter 1:3.
However, it is crucial to understand the precursor to the release of this Great Grace upon the people of God: They were in one accord [unity] and had all things in common. They were united in faith, in spirit and in truth.
As we dwell on this all-important prophetic prayer series this month, may this grace [Great Grace] be released upon us as individuals and the church as a whole, in Jesus' Mighty Name (Amen).
Prophetic Prayer Points
1. Give thanks to God for His grace that has bequeathed salvation upon us. -Ephesians 1:5-7, Titus 2:11-14.
2. Appreciate Him for the exceeding riches of His grace upon your life and entire family. -Ephesians 2:7-9.
3. Glorify the Almighty for saving us through all the evils and dangers of the previous months of the year. Than Him for His abiding presence. -Psalms 23:3-4, Psalms 91:1-6, Isaiah 43:1-3.
4. Ask for forgiveness of known and unknown sins. -Psalms 66:18-20.
5. Ask for pardon and mercy. -Romans 9:15-16.
6. Pray that God's mercy and faithfulness shall never fail upon your life and family. Lamentations 3:22-25.
7. Almighty God, grant me the grace, not to be dominated by sin and satanic devices, in Jesus' Name. -Romans 6:14.
8. I receive Great Grace for greater service to the glory of God, in Jesus' Name. -Acts 4:33.
9. Heavenly Father, release Great Grace upon the church, for supernatural exploits, growth and expansion, in Jesus' Name. -Acts 4:33, 2:40-47
10. I receive grace to identify great opportunities and key into them for my lifting up, in Jesus' Name. -Prov.3:5-6, 16:3, Psalm 119:18.
11. By grace, I receive divine guidance for my lifting up, in Jesus' Name. -Genesis 12:1-4, Isaiah 30:21, Psalms 23:1-3, 5-6.
12. I receive grace for prompt obedience that open doors of testimonies this month, in Jesus' Name. -Deuteronomy 28:1-13.
13. Almighty Father, grant me Great Grace to prosper beyond my personal efforts and beyond any human efforts, in Jesus' Name. - Deuteronomy 8:18, Acts 4:33, Philip.4:13, Proverbs 10:22.
14. God of all grace, grant me the grace to eat the fruits of my labour in sound health and long life, in Jesus' Name. -1Peter 5:10, Psalm 128:1-6.
15. God of all grace, grant me the grace to be fruitful spiritually and be fruitful in health and wealth, in Jesus' Name. -3Jn1:2, Jeremiah 29:11, John 15:1-5
16. God of all grace, grant me the grace to be fruitful financially and materially, in Jesus' Name.
17. By Great Grace, I receive divine guidance this month for all round breakthrough, in Jesus' Name.
18. By the riches of His great Grace, I receive redemption and recover my lost glory, in Jesus' Name. -Ephesians 1:7.
19. By Great Grace, I receive strength to accomplish the great exploits, in Jesus' Name. -2Timothy 2:1, Acts 4:33, Philip.4:13.
20. Throughout this month and this year, I receive Grace upon Grace for diverse testimonies, every step of the way, in Jesus' Name. -John1:16, Ephesians 3:7-8.
21. In every area of my life, I shall become whatever I want to become, according to the power of His grace, in Jesus' Name. -1Corinth.15:10.
22. Wherever I have been condemned, I receive justification by grace, in Jesus' Name. -Titus 3:7, Rom.3:24, 5:1-2.
23. Holy Spirit of God, help me to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, in Jesus' Name. -2Peter 3:18.
24. By the reason of His grace (through His blood), I am healed in my spirit, I am healed in my soul, I am healed in my body, in Jesus' Name. -Isaiah 53:3-5.
25. By the reason of His grace (through His blood), my destiny is Healed! My Marriage is Healed! My Business is Healed! In the mighty name of Jesus Christ. -Isaiah 53:3-5.
26. Give thanks to God for answered prayers. Sing praises to Him. -1John 5:14-15, Jeremiah 29:11-12, John 14:13-14.
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