• by admin
• (1) Comment

DAY 28: FRIDAY, 29TH JANUARY 2016

DAY 28:   FRIDAY, 29^TH JANUARY 2016

FOCUS:  GRACE AND POWER TO FINISH WELL AND STRONG

TEXT: ECC. 7:8; JOHN 16:12-13; HEB 4:16

INSIGHT FOR EFFECTIVE PRAYER

Since we are mortal being, an end will surely come to our existence here on earth now or later; but what matter is to live well, finish well and finish strong!

Ecc 7:8 better is the end of a thing than the beginning therof, and the patience in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

Man is limited in strength, he can change his mind under pressure. The ten virgin in Matt 25: 1-13 were all determined to welcome the bridegroom and go in with Him but He delayed and their oil was exhausted, at the end only five made it through grace that made them prepared better, therefore we are limited in power; we need Him who has all power.

Mattew 28:18. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, all power is given unto me in Heaven and Earth

Since we don’t know what can happen tomorrow we should hand over the unknown tomorrow to Him who knows all!

John 17:9,11. I pray for them, I pray not for the world but for them which thou art given me for they are thine. And now I am no more in the world but these are in the world and I come to thee Holy father keep through thine own name, those whom that hast given me that they may be one as we are.

Since we are not as wise as Satan, we should give the totality of our pilgrimage to Holy Spirit the wisest comforter

John 16: 12-13. I have yet many things to say unto you but yee cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he the spirit of truth is come he will guide you into all through for He shall not speak of Himself but whatsoever He shall hear that shall He speak and He will shew you things to come.

Grace will be given by God to those who will ask from Him even with the grace given, you have serious part to play.

You have to increase in power through prayer and studying of the word with daily walking relationship with the Holy Spirit. We will finish strong when we keep distance from sin and worldliness.

1 Cor 5:10, 11Cor 12:9

Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly in to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, thank you for your grace that saved me.
2. Father, thank you for your power that sustains me.
3. Father, thank you for the Holy Spirit our Comforter.
4. Father, help me to use my life time well and better in you.
5. Lord, fill me with enough grace to run the heavenly race.
6. Grace of God, lead all my steps aright.
7. Grace of God, go ahead of me to overcome the flesh, sin, and the world.
8. Father, give me your power to finish strong in faith.
9. I will finish strong in Jesus name.
10. Every spirit of spiritual weakness; be destroyed by Holy Ghost fire.
11. The power behind backsliding, crumble over my life in Jesus name.
12. I receive fresh fire from above to finish well and finish strong in Jesus name.
13. All our leader will finish well and strong in Jesus name.
14. Pastor Dr. Elijah Oludele Abina; you will finish well and strong in Jesus name.
15. Grace and power of the Almighty God will fill the entire GOFAMINT in Jesus name.
16. All backsliders; receive mercy and power to rise again in Jesus name.
17. Pray for the person beside you, you will not fail, but will finish well and strong in Jesus name.
18. Church of God everywhere, receive new strength to finish strong.
19. At the end of our race, we shall all make heaven victoriously in Jesus name.

GENERAL VIGIL

SUPERNATURAL EMPOWERMENT FOR EARTHLY DOMINION AND ETERNAL RELEVANCE

HEBREW 11:1-40; I COR 15;12-19; HEB 12:1,2

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable – I Cor 15:19.

I believe strongly that the primary purpose of Christ’s earthly ministry and death is to free us from hell and make us fit for heaven. The ultimate hope and home of believers is heaven at last. No matter how beautiful this world is, heaven is more beautiful. However, we need to remind ourselves that we still have a part to play here on earth before we later rest in heaven. This part is so important that Christ decides to leave us here after our salvation, sanctification and other spiritual experiences. If not , he would have removed us from here and transport us to heaven immediately we gave our lives to Him and become saved. That makes us a citizen of two kingdoms- we are responsible and accountable to each of the kingdom- the earthly kingdom and the heavenly or eternal kingdom. Our major concern this day is that how do we maintain our relevance to each of these kingdoms?

DISCUSSION GUIDE

A

1. Can someone be so earthly conscious and lose the sight of eternal reality?
2. How can this happen?…………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

3. Are there things the believer can gain from being earthly conscious to the detriment of eternity?………………………………………………………………….
4. Name them: …………………………………………………………………………………………….
5. What are the dangers of this?…………………………………………………………….
6. How can we check, prevent or stop them?

B

1. Have you ever heard that someone is so heavenly conscious and earthy useless?……………………………………………………………………………………………
2. What does this mean?…………………………………………………………………………..
3. What are the advantages of this lifestyle?……………………………………………….
4. Any disadvantage?………………………………………………………………………………..

Mention them:……………………………………………………………………………………………………

5. How do we maintain the balance?…………………………………………………………….

C

Let us read the book of Hebrew chapter 11 and find out some facts about heroes and heroines of faith.

1. Were there people that made it here on earth and also relevant in heaven?
2. Mention the people in that category…………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. What are the proofs in support of your above mentioned?……….

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

4. How did they make it? What were those things that helped them?……………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

5. What lessons can we learn from them?…………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

D

1. From the same passage, were there anyone that made it here but not there?

…………………………………………………………………………….

2. Give your suggestion(s):……………………………………………………………..

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. Any proof in support of your suggestion?…………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

4. How did they make it here and the mark there?……………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

5. What lessons can we learn from them?…………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

7. (a) Were there any one that made it there but not here? ……………………..

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

• Make your suggestions……………………………………………………………………….
• What can other things can you say concerning this? ……………………………
• Any lesson to learn?……………………………………………………………………….

8(a) Were there people who did not make it here or there?……………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

1. b) Mention them…………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. c) what can you say about them………………………………………………………………………….
3. d) What lesson can we learn from them………………………………………………………………

THE GRACE FOR THE RACE OF LIFE (PHIL 3;1-15; I COR 10:1-13)

…But with most of them, God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness” (I Cor. 10:5).

            Christian’s race to the kingdom of heaven could be compared to the Israelites journey from Egypt to Canaan. Majority of the people that started the journey could not finish it. They perished in the wilderness of life. They started well, they could not finish well. They started strong, they finished poorly. They could not finish strong except Joshua and Caleb. Even Moses and Aaron could not make it to the Promised Land! What a pity!

There are some shocking pronouncements from the mouth of our Lord Jesus Christ that should make us think twice about this very important race we cannot afford to lose. Some of them include:

“Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord shall enter the kingdom of heaven…”(Matt 7:21-23)

“So the last will be the first, and the first last, for many are called, but few chosen” (Matt 20:16).

“And then many will be offended … and because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved (Matt 20:10-13).

Who will be among the chosen few? How many will be able to endure the persecution and affliction and overcome all temptations and compromises? Even now, in the C, how many people are doing the will of God? If Moses could not get to the Promised Land inspite of his consecration and commitment; if Apostle Paul was not certain but still strove not to miss it at the end, then, you and I need God’s grace for a successful race. Therefore, sing Hymn 83 and pray that:

1. Lord Jesus, I thank you for the grace to know you and begin the race of life with you.
2. Thank you for the grace to be steadfast and unmovable in this service and race of life.
3. Holy Spirit of God, uphold me and let my anchor hold firm when lie’s billows are rolling in Jesus name
4. Empower me to be steadfast in the things of the Lord, in Jesus name
5. Help me oh Lord, so that my focus will be on Jesus always and even in times of discouragement
6. I receive the grace not to compromise, backslide or move to do wrong even when people of faith disappoint me.
7. Spirit of the Living God, establish my feet, hold my hands, help and empower me not to run the Christian race in vain in Jesus name
8. Empower and sustain me by your grace and help me to be able to always hold on to your word when everything seems to be falling apart is falling apart
9. Destroy every deadly distraction that wants to counter my concentration and commitment to you, in the race of life.
10. I will not quit or give up in the race of life in Jesus name
11. I receive the grace to stand firmly and continue until I finish my race successfully in Jesus name.
12. Nothing will stop or hinder me from completing my race in Jesus name
13. Let my service in the Lord abound with God’s blessing, favour and approval in Jesus name
14. Make me strong and steadfast in my pursuit of holiness and righteousness in Jesus name
15. Spirit of the Living God, nullify everything that wants to weaken me in this race in Jesus name
16. Oh Lord my father, give me the grace to finish well, strong and successfully in Jesus name.

SPECIAL INTERCESSION

1. Pray that this Church will experience revival through the fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all souls.
2. Pray specifically for:

• Those that have not started the race of life through personal salvation and sanctification; that God will reach out unto them in mercy and they shall be saved.
• Those that are weak and discouraged because of the storms of life, that God should help, inspire, strengthen and restore them.
• That all backsliders in the Church and outside the Church will receive grace for the second chance and they shall be totally restored in Jesus name.