The Open Heaven 14 December 2025 devotional for today is YOU MUST GROW.
This is a daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
OPEN HEAVEN 14 DECEMBER 2025 TODAY DEVOTIONAL
TOPIC: YOU MUST GROW
MEMORISE:
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
2 Peter 3:18
READ: 2 Peter 1:5-7:
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
RCCG OPEN HEAVEN 14 DECEMBER 2025 TODAY MESSAGE
In Acts 12:25, Paul and Barnabas took John Mark along with them on a missionary journey, but when things got difficult, he abandoned them. Paul was so disappointed that in Acts 15:36-41, he insisted that he and Barnabas should not take John Mark with them when they wanted to go on another missionary journey.
However, in 2 Timothy 4:9-11, the same Paul who didn’t want John Mark to accompany him on another missionary journey said, “Bring him to me for he is profitable.” It is that same John Mark who ended up writing the gospel of Mark in the New Testament.
When a fellow keeps growing and developing himself or herself, those who rejected such a fellow before will turn to embrace him or her.
Paul said that when he was a child, he spoke, understood, and thought as a child, but when he became a man, he put away childish things (1 Corinthians 13:11). Everyone starts as a child, but it is not okay to remain as one. Anyone who is not growing is dying.
As a child of God, one important aspect you must grow in is your character. If you were an impatient person before you gave your life to Christ, you must not remain that way. A Christian should not deal with anger issues for the rest of his or her life. If you dealt with anger issues in your twenties, you should have overcome them with the help of the Holy Spirit in your forties.
You must also grow in faith. Jesus talked about people with no faith in Mark 4:40 and people with faith like a mustard seed in Luke 17:6. This means that faith can grow. If you started with a mustard seed faith, as powerful as it is, you should not remain on that level; instead, you should move on to having great faith (Matthew 15:28). You should not still be afraid of sicknesses and demons if you are truly growing in Christ.
Beloved, you were not saved to live in fear and weakness. You are not meant to be just a spectator of the wonderful things that God does through His children. You must grow in faith to the point where you can heal the sick, cast out demons, and raise the dead. Immerse yourself in the word of God regularly (Romans 10:17), pray in the Holy Ghost continually (Jude 1:20), and covet the best gifts from the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:31). This way, you will never stop growing.
REFLECTION
Are you growing in faith and in your character?
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
1 Timothy 1-6
HYMN 59: I WANT TO BE LIKE JESUS
OPEN HEAVEN DEVOTIONAL 14 DECEMBER 2025 COMMENTARY
MEMORISE: 2 Peter 3:18
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”
This apostolic command presents spiritual growth not as an optional spiritual luxury, but as the mandatory trajectory of every believer. Growth is bi-focal: in grace (the practical outworking of Christ’s character and favor in our conduct) and in the knowledge of Christ (deepening relational and doctrinal understanding of Him). The ultimate purpose is glory—to Him, both now and eternally.
BIBLE READING: 2 Peter 1:5-7
This passage provides the staircase of spiritual maturation, the virtues we must diligently add to our faith:
v.5: “Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;” The foundation is faith, but it must be expressed in moral excellence and godly understanding.
v.6: “And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;” Self-control, endurance, and reverent devotion mark increasing maturity.
v.7: “And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.” Growth culminates in practical love for the brethren and selfless, agape love for all.
The Imperative of Lifelong Spiritual Growth
Pastor E.A. Adeboye uses the transformational story of John Mark to illustrate a powerful kingdom principle: Your past failures or current rejections do not define your future if you commit to growth. The devotional moves from this encouragement to a sobering charge that stagnation is spiritual death, and growth must be evident in both character and spiritual authority.
1. The Testimony of Transformation: John Mark
From Rejection to “Profitable”:
John Mark began as a liability—he abandoned the mission when things got tough (Acts 13:13). This failure led to his rejection by Paul (Acts 15:38). However, through years of faithful service and growth (likely under Barnabas), he was so transformed that Paul later called him “profitable to me for the ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11).
The Lesson:
Growth changes your spiritual resume. The people who once wrote you off will one day seek you out if you diligently develop yourself in God. Your value in the Kingdom is not static; it is determined by your commitment to progressive improvement.
2. The Stagnation Dilemma: The Danger of Remaining a Child
The Natural Progression (1 Corinthians 13:11):
It is natural to start as a spiritual infant, but it is unnatural and unacceptable to remain one. Spiritual infancy is characterized by selfishness, instability, and a lack of understanding (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). Maturity requires putting away “childish things.”
The Law of the Spirit: Grow or Die:
“Anyone who is not growing is dying.” In the spiritual realm, there is no neutral plateau. Without intentional growth, you backslide. Your faith atrophies, your love grows cold, and your spiritual senses become dull.
3. The Dual Dimensions of Essential Growth
Growth in Character:
This is the internal transformation. The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) must progressively replace the works of the flesh. Daddy Adeboye is direct: a Christian should not be dealing with the same anger, impatience, or fear issues for decades. The Holy Spirit’s help is given for victory, not just management. Your character in your forties should be markedly more Christlike than in your twenties.
Growth in Faith and Power:
This is the external expression. Faith is meant to increase from “no faith” (Mark 4:40) to “mustard seed faith” (powerful but small) to “great faith” (Matthew 15:28). This growth in faith directly correlates to growth in spiritual authority: “you can heal the sick, cast out demons, and raise the dead.” Believers are saved from spectatorship to participation in the miraculous.
4. The Engine of Continuous Growth: The Means of Grace
The Word of God (Romans 10:17):
“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Immersion in Scripture is non-negotiable. It renews the mind, builds faith, and reveals Christ. It is the primary nutrient for growth.
Prayer in the Holy Ghost (Jude 1:20):
Praying in tongues builds up your spiritual man (1 Corinthians 14:4). It is a divine tool for edification, intercession beyond your understanding, and maintaining your connection to the Spirit’s power.
Coveting the Best Gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31):
This is a holy ambition to be used powerfully by God for the edification of the Church. It involves desiring, pursuing, and faithfully exercising the spiritual gifts, moving from passivity to active, empowered service.
How to Pursue Relentless Spiritual Growth
1. Conduct Regular Spiritual Audits:
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you areas of childishness or stagnation. Compare your current character and faith-level with where you were 5 years ago. Be brutally honest.
2. Set Specific Growth Goals:
Don’t just say “I want to grow.” Say, “This year, with God’s help, I will overcome my quick temper by practicing patience in three specific situations” or “I will step out in faith to pray for the sick this month.”
3. Embrace Disciplines, Not Just Delight:
Growth requires the discipline of daily Bible study, consistent prayer, and faithful service even when you don’t feel like it. These disciplines create the structure for grace to work.
4. Seek Mentorship and Accountability:
Just as John Mark had Barnabas, find spiritual fathers and mothers who can guide, correct, and encourage you. Submit to a local church where you can be taught and challenged.
Warning: The Tragedy of the Perpetual Infant
A believer who refuses to grow remains carnal, easily offended, spiritually powerless, and a burden to the Body of Christ. They are like the Israelites who could have entered Promised Land maturity but chose to wander and die in the wilderness of stagnation. Their story is one of unfulfilled potential and divine disappointment.
Conclusion: From Liability to Legacy
Pray this:
“Lord Jesus, my Savior and Standard, I reject spiritual stagnation. Forgive me for any area where I have remained a child. Holy Spirit, empower me to grow relentlessly in grace, knowledge, character, and faith. Make me a profitable vessel in Your kingdom, transforming my past failures into a testimony of Your grace. I covet Your best gifts and dedicate myself to the disciplines that fuel eternal growth, for Your glory. Amen.”
Action Steps:
- Study a Growth Chart: Meditate on 2 Peter 1:5-7. For each virtue (faith, virtue, knowledge, etc.), rate yourself on a scale of 1-5. Pray over the lowest scores.
- Initiate a Faith Project: Step out of your comfort zone. Commit to praying for one person in need each week, believing God for a specific result. Record what happens.
- Find Your “Barnabas”: Identify a mature believer this month and ask them for counsel or mentoring in one area of desired growth.
Remember: Your spiritual life is either expanding or contracting. God’s call is to ever-increasing stature in Christ (Ephesians 4:15). You are not meant to be a permanent project, but a progressing masterpiece.
“Till we all come… unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ”(Ephesians 4:13). This is your destiny. Keep growing.
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