Day 30 - SOWING GENEROSITY - Grace in Action 

Ephesians 3:14-19

 Let’s review our journey thus far. Generosity is a product of grace, initiated by a Holy God, taught throughout Scripture, radically delivered through Jesus Christ on the cross. It is an indescribable gift, to be shared as far and wide as possible by the empowerment of the Spirit of God. Generous grace leads to worship and opens the door for Freedom and Transformation. 

 In his book, Kingdom Come, Doug Newton defines a Vision Statement for a local church that I believe is worthy of serious consideration:  Maximum Impact: We will have maximum impact on our community as a true house of prayer.  I strongly recommend reading the whole book to get the complete context, but for this point we will focus on his definition of Maximum 

Impact: As many people as possible having as much evidence as necessary to come to faith and wholeness in Jesus Christ.

What kind of evidence? The supernatural presence of Jesus born out of prayer. The evidence of God’s love revealed by radical generosity and compassion. The evidence revealed in loving communities of faith. These are a few of the evidences outlined in Newton’s book. 

How is such evidence revealed in the world? How does a Maximum Impact Vision become a reality? Maximum Impact is born out of individuals and churches practicing:

• Spirit-filled prayers for a move of God’s transforming work in our midst.

• Daily heart-surrender to the calling and voice of God.

• Radical Generosity expressed by righteous servants in a rebellious world. 

• Intentional and incarnational peace-giving demonstrated through compassionate listening, sincere hospitality, habitual forgiveness, and divine restoration.

This has been our focus in 40 Days of Generosity. Until now we haven’t articulated it this way, but every day we have been creating space and seeking the Lord with:

            Spirit-filled prayer

            Daily Surrender

            A Call to Generosity

            Yielding to Incarnational Prompts and Opportunities

PAUSE -
Lord, we come to you again with thanksgiving and praise for your generous love and unending grace. 

      Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.
      They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.           Lamentations 3:22-23

 Offer your prayers of thanksgiving and praise to the Lord.

REJOICE -
Reflect on the faithfulness of God

      Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.
      They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.           Lamentations 3:22-2

Praise God as you name some specific ways that He has been faithful to you this year.

READ AND REFLECT on Ephesians 3:14-19

For this reason, I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

This is truly a “maximum impact” prayer, worthy of praying over ourselves, our families, our neighbors, and our churches. It is a prayer for blessing, empowerment, and experiencing the fullness in God. It is a prayer for the indwelling presence of Christ and an understanding and experience in the depths of His love. 

ASK -
Make this prayer personal by praying it over your pastor, your church, your family and neighbors. What specific part of this prayer do you need to ask the Lord to make real in your life today? Lord, would you fill me today with greater faith, deeper awareness of your love and the power I need to love and bless others? 

REREAD AND REFLECT -
As you read it again, aloud, for whom is the Lord calling you to pray this Scripture? What is He impressing on your heart as you pray?  How might His love overflow through you in expressions of grace to others today?

 Ephesians 3:14-19

For this reason, I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

YIELD -
Lord, as I pray this prayer over those who are struggling, I pray for a supernatural work of your power and love in others that they might encounter you in your fullness. Lord, help me to love others in such a way that I might be part of the evidence that creates Maximum impact in someone I encounter today. 

Maximum Impact is born out of individuals and churches practicing:

• Spirit-filled prayers for a move of God’s transforming work in our midst.

• Daily heart-surrender to the calling and voice of God.

• Radical Generosity expressed by righteous servants in a rebellious world. 

• Intentional and incarnational peace-giving demonstrated through compassionate listening, sincere hospitality, habitual forgiveness, and divine restoration.

 Would you do a fresh work in us, Lord!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21