OPEN HEAVEN DECEMBER 8TH, 2021

Open Heavens Devotional 2021

DATE: Wed, Dec 08, 2021

TOPIC: BLESSINGS OF UNITY

MEMORISE:
“For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.” – (1 John 3:11)

READ: Psalm 133:1-3 (KJV)

1. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2. It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard; that went down to the skirts of his garments;
3. As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion; for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

MESSAGE:
In our devotional today, we will consider the blessings of unity, which have been identified in the Scriptures to include joy, peace, and progress.

When you go through the Bible reading of today, you will observe the Psalmist lamenting, almost in despair. Perhaps this was so because he had seen how elusive unity was among the brethren, even in his time.

Today, despite the fact that we say “united we stand; divided we fall” in words, sing it in songs and rehearse it in poems, there are still divisions among us. Sadly, this is also the case among believers who should be the leading lights for this dark world. This is the reason joy, peace and progress have eluded so many believers today. This is why, as a Church, we have not been able to accomplish the Great Commission as effectively as we desire. How can two missionaries commissioned by the same organisation to the same field of operation not be united? Sadly, this is the state of the Body of Christ in many places today. Believers now fall prey to the enemy, becoming casualties of this disunity.

If the Body of Christ can work together in unity, today’s Bible reading says our blessings are guaranteed. The subject of unity is so important that our Lord Jesus Christ spent time praying about it in John’s gospel. John 17:21,26:
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me…And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

The absence of love is a major cause of disunity. Jesus however, has prayed about this too. We see that in today’s memory verse. Beloved, let us begin to work towards the fulfilment of our Lord’s prayer, so that the Church can make headway in our missionary and evangelistic endeavours. Let us love – not in words alone but also in deed. This way, we will maintain unity.

May the Lord help us all as believers to live together in harmony and work in unity, in the mighty name of Jesus.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, please let love – Your love, fill the hearts of all Your children and unite us all, in the mighty name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Ezekiel 13-18

HYMNAL:
HYMN 12 – IN CHRIST ALONE MY HOPE IS FOUND

1. In Christ alone my hope is found
   He is my light, my strength, my song
   This Cornerstone, this solid Ground
   Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
   What heights of love, what depths of peace
   When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
   My Comforter, my All in All
   Here in the love of Christ I stand.
2. In Christ alone! Who took on flesh
   Fullness of God in helpless babe
   This gift of love and righteousness
   Scorned by the ones He came to save
   Till on that cross as Jesus died
   The wrath of God was satisfied
   For every sin on Him was laid
   Here in the death of Christ I live.
3. There in the ground His body lay
   Light of the world by darkness slain
   Then bursting forth in glorious Day
   Up from the grave He rose again
   And as He stands in victory
   Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
   For I am His and He is mine
   Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
4. No gift in life, no fear in death
   This is the power of Christ in me
   From life’s first cry to final breath
   Jesus commands my destiny
   No power of hell, no scheme of man
   Can ever pluck me from His hand
   Till He returns or calls me home
   Here in the love of Christ I’ll stand.