The Open Heavens 11 January 2026 devotional for today is WHAT IS MAN? I
This is a daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
OPEN HEAVENS 11 JANUARY 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL
TOPIC: WHAT IS MAN? I
MEMORISE:
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Genesis 1:26
READ: Psalm 8:3-9
3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;
8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
9 O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!
RCCG OPEN HEAVENS 11 JANUARY 2026 TODAY MESSAGE
When you look at the stars, the moon, and the beauty of nature generally, it is hard not to wonder what makes us humans so special that God cares so much about us. This is exactly what David was asking in verse 4 of today’s Bible reading.
From today’s memory verse, we see that God made us in His image and gave us the responsibility and dominion to rule over all His creation on earth (Genesis 1:26-28). Therefore, you and I have God’s mandate to be in control of the earth. God, however, didn’t stop there;
He went further to say in Matthew 18:18 that He will uphold our decrees here on earth from His throne in heaven. Unfortunately, when man sinned, he lost his place and the dominion God had given him at creation. That was why God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to restore us to His original design and reinstate our dominion.
If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, you have become greater than everything in this world (1 John 4:4). If you are yet to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, I implore you to do so now. This is because, if you can truly let go of sin, situations will no longer control you; rather, you will control them. The economy will no longer decide what happens to you; instead, you will thrive, regardless of what happens in the economy.
The devil and all his demons are afraid of the children of God because they know that God has made His children sit together with Christ in heavenly places, far above all principalities and powers (Ephesians 2:4-6).
This is why, whenever someone I have not met before comes to me for prayers, the first question I ask such a person is, “Are you born again?” If the fellow is not born again, even if I pray and the problem is solved, a worse problem might come on him or her because the person is still prey to the devil.
Beloved, the foundation of every genuine solution to any problem you can ever have is in Jesus Christ. You must repent from any sin that may be in your life and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour if you are yet to do so.
Ensure you live a holy life by adhering to His word and obeying all His instructions. When you do these, you will enjoy good success and truly live in dominion over every challenge that comes your way.
KEY POINT
God’s original design is for you to reign above all situation
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Genesis 36-38
HYMN 13: Jesus loves me! This I know,
OPEN HEAVEN DEVOTIONAL 11 JANUARY 2026 COMMENTARY
MEMORISE: Genesis 1:26
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”
This verse reveals humanity’s original blueprints: divine image and earthly dominion. To be made in God’s image is to carry His authority, creativity, and communicative nature. The mandate to have dominion is a legal delegation of God’s governing power to mankind over the earthly realm.
BIBLE READING: Psalm 8:3-9
This psalm echoes the Genesis mandate, marveling at the exalted position God has given to humanity. Despite our seeming smallness, we are crowned with glory and honor and entrusted with the works of God’s hands. It is a hymn of awe at our God-ordained authority.
The Restoration of Mandated Dominion
Daddy Adeboye addresses the core of human identity and authority, tracing it from creation through the Fall to its restoration in Christ. The devotional makes it clear that dominion is not an abstract concept but the restored birthright of every believer, granting authority over circumstances, systems, and spiritual forces.
1. The Original Mandate: Image and Dominion
Created for Governance:
God’s design was not for man to be a victim of creation but its governor. The “image and likeness” is the source of authority; the “dominion” is the sphere of its exercise. This means your inherent design is to rule, innovate, manage, and establish order in your sphere of influence.
The Heavenly Endorsement of Earthly Decrees:
Matthew 18:18 reveals the staggering continuity of this mandate. God, from heaven, pledges to ratify the lawful decrees made by His image-bearers on earth. This establishes prayer and faith-filled speech not as begging, but as governance—issuing heavenly-sanctioned rulings over earthly situations.
2. The Loss and The Restoration in Christ
The Great Reversal of the Fall:
Sin was not merely a moral failure; it was a catastrophic surrender of dominion. Adam handed the title deed of earth to Satan (Luke 4:6), and humanity became subject to creation rather than sovereign over it. Poverty, sickness, and bondage are symptoms of this lost dominion.
Christ: The Last Adam and Our Reinstatement:
Jesus came as the “last Adam” (1 Corinthians 15:45) to win back what the first Adam lost. Through His death and resurrection, He legally reclaimed all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). Salvation is the reinstatement of the individual believer into this position of regained dominion. You are not just saved from sin; you are saved into sovereignty.
3. The Present Reality: Seated Far Above
Your Position Defines Your Authority:
Ephesians 2:6 states the believer’s current position: seated with Christ in heavenly places, “far above all principality and power.” This is not a future hope but a present legal reality. You operate from a place of settled victory and superior rank over all demonic forces and earthly systems. This is why they fear a true child of God.
The Non-Negotiable Foundation: The New Birth:
Daddy Adeboye’s consistent first question—”Are you born again?”—is a diagnostic of spiritual jurisdiction. A person outside of Christ, even if helped temporarily, remains under the domain of darkness and prey to the enemy. Dominion is exclusive to the re-created species—those born of God (1 John 4:4).
How to Exercise Your Restored Dominion
Govern Through Your Decrees:
Align your speech with God’s Word. Your words are your governing instruments. Decree peace over chaos, health over sickness, provision over lack. Heaven is listening to ratify the decrees of the redeemed.
Live from Your Position, Not Your Condition:
Your feelings, the economy, or medical reports are “conditions.” Your seat with Christ is your “position.” Train yourself to reason, pray, and decree from your exalted position in Christ, not from the problem at your feet.
Maintain Holiness—The Integrity of Office:
Sin is a rebellion against the King that locally disempowers the governor. Holy living is not about earning favor; it is about maintaining the integrity of your office and the unimpeded flow of authority. You cannot effectively rule a territory you have surrendered to the enemy through willful sin.
Warning: An Unclaimed Dominion is a Vacant Throne
If you do not consciously exercise your God-given authority, the enemy will gladly continue to administer the affairs of your life, your family, and your sphere. Passivity is a form of surrender. Dominion must be asserted in faith.
Conclusion: Pray to Reign in Life
Pray this:
“Father of glory, I thank You for recreating me in Christ Jesus and seating me with Him in the place of authority. I repent of all passivity and sin that has ceded ground to the enemy. Today, I take my stand in my rightful position of dominion. I decree that my life, health, finances, and family are under the governance of Your Kingdom. I exercise authority over every opposing power and declare that I reign in life through Christ Jesus. My dominion is restored and established by Your Word, in Jesus’ name!”
Action Steps:
- Positional Reminders: Write “Ephesians 2:6” and “Seated Far Above” on sticky notes. Place them where you will see them daily to remind you of your true position.
- Daily Dominion Decrees: Each morning, issue 3-5 specific decrees over your day based on Scripture (e.g., “I decree that wisdom guides my decisions today, according to James 1:5”).
- Conduct a Sphere Audit: Identify the key areas of your God-given dominion (e.g., your mind, your home, your workplace). Ask the Holy Spirit: “Where have I been passive? Where do I need to assert Kingdom authority?” Take one step of faith-led action in each area this week.
- Establish the Foundation: If you have not consciously accepted Christ, do so now with this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I repent of my sin. I believe You died and rose for me. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Restore me to Your original design and dominion. Amen.” Then, tell a believer.
Remember: You are not struggling for victory; you are enforcing a victory already won. You are not a victim of the system; you are a governor in it, seated far above it.
“Let them have dominion…” (Genesis 1:26). In Christ, you do.
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