OPEN HEAVEN 19 AUGUST 2021: SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS
OPEN HEAVEN 19 AUGUST 2021 TOPIC: Spiritual Blessings
MEMORISE: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: – Ephesians 1:3
READ: Ephesians 1:3-5 (KJV)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalms 114-116
Open Heaven 19 August 2021 MESSAGE:
Blessings are in various categories. There are physical as well as spiritual blessings, according to the memory verse of today. Physical blessings are temporary while those of a spiritual nature are enduring and eternal. All blessings however – whether physical or spiritual, come from the Lord, according to James 1:17:
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
The best of all blessings are those of a spiritual nature, which transcend the present age. This is why Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ wrote:
“If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” – 1 Corinthians 15:19
Spiritual blessings cannot be qualified in material or monetary terms. These include gifts of the Holy Spirit as well as victory over principalities and powers. The benefits of spiritual blessings are captured in Mark 10:29-30 thus:
“And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.”
In addition to all the physical blessings we get from submitting to the lordship of Jesus Christ, we have the spiritual blessing of eternal life. No matter how long we live on the earth, we shall depart from it one day. Where will you spend eternity – Heaven or hell? May you not spend eternity in hell, in the mighty name of Jesus.
To access spiritual blessings, you must believe Jesus and make Him your personal Lord and Saviour (John 6:27-29).
Open Heaven 19 August 2021 ACTION POINT:
Ask the Almighty God to load you with spiritual blessings. If, however, you have not given your life to Jesus, accept Him as your Lord today so that you can also begin to enjoy special blessings.
Open Heaven 19 August 2021 HYMN 30: When Upon Life’s Billows You Are Tempest Tossed
1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.
3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
4. So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
Open Heavens 2021 Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
