Today’s Open Heaven devotional (20 March 2025) is FROM DOG TO CHILD 2
The daily devotion guide is written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
OPEN HEAVEN 20 MARCH 2025 DEVOTIONAL
TOPIC: FROM DOG TO CHILD II
MEMORISE:
But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Matthew 9:13
READ: 1 Timothy 1:11-17
11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
RCCG OPEN HEAVEN 20 MARCH 2025 TODAY MESSAGE
Yesterday, I established that God considers sinners and backsliders as dogs (Matthew 15:21, 2 Peter 2:22), and today, I will conclude the discussion on God’s willingness to change them to children.
Before I became born again, and while I was still single, I had so many girlfriends. Years later, after I had gotten married and given my life to Christ, I became a lecturer at the University of Ilorin. After a while, one of my former girlfriends, who had also gotten married, relocated to llorin with her husband.
She had a child who was born lame, and somebody told her that there was a pastor who could pray for her child, and the child would begin to walk. When she came to the church, she asked to see the pastor. She was ushered into my office, and when she opened the door and saw me, we greeted ourselves as old flames would. Finally, she said, “I want to see the pastor.” I said, “Yes, how can I help you?” She replied, “I said I want to see the pastor.” I said, “I am the pastor.” She responded, “You? You will pray, and God will answer?” We prayed, and the child began to walk.
The Bible says that if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17). The greatest miracle is the salvation of souls. If you are not yet born again, no matter now grave your sins are, God can save you too as He saved me.
Before Saul encountered Jesus, he was a persecutor of Christians. However, after his encounter, he became a great asset to the Kingdom (1 Timothy 1:12-14). God converted cities through him, and a whole continent heard of Jesus through his ministry (Acts 19:26).
There is no limit to what God can do in you, with you, and through you because when He transforms a man, He does it completely. As a son, you will have access to divine privileges. You will have the right to call God your Father, and you will partake of His inheritance.
Paul understood what it meant to be a new creature, and as God’s child, he exercised his divine rights and authority. From a former dog, special miracles happened, and many people became transformed. If you are not yet born again, God wants to give you a new identity and make you His beloved child. Surrender to Him now and watch Him make your life a wonder to many (Psalm 71:7).
KEY POINT
God is still in the business of transforming dogs into children
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Judges 20-21
HYMN 2: AMAZING GRACE
OPEN HEAVEN DEVOTIONAL 20 MARCH 2025 COMMENTARY
Today’s devotional is a powerful testimony of God’s transformative grace and His ability to take sinners and backsliders and make them into new creations in Christ.
It emphasizes the completeness of God’s work in a person’s life when they surrender to Him. Here is breakdown:
1. MEMORISE: Matthew 9:13
Matthew 9:13 highlights the heart of Jesus’ mission: to seek and save the lost. It reminds us that God’s priority is not religious rituals or outward appearances but mercy and transformation. This verse sets the foundation for the devotional, emphasizing that God’s grace is available to all, no matter how sinful or broken they may be.
2. BIBLE READING: 1 Timothy 1:11-17
In this passage, Paul reflects on his own transformation from a persecutor of Christians to an apostle of Christ. He describes himself as the “chief of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15) but acknowledges that God’s grace was poured out abundantly on him. This passage underscores several key truths:
- God’s Grace is Sufficient: No one is beyond the reach of God’s mercy.
- Transformation is Possible: Paul’s life is a testament to the complete change that God can bring about in a person.
- God’s Purpose in Salvation: Paul’s transformation was not just for his benefit but to serve as an example of God’s patience and love for others.
This passage reinforces the devotional’s message that God can take even the worst sinners and use them mightily for His kingdom.
3. The Testimony of Transformation
The devotional includes a personal testimony of Daddy Adeboye, who shares how God transformed his life from a life of sin to a life of service. The story of his former girlfriend coming to him for prayer, not realizing he had become a pastor, is a powerful illustration of God’s ability to change lives completely. The healing of her child is not just a physical miracle but also a spiritual sign of God’s power working through a transformed life.
This testimony highlights:
- The Power of a New Identity in Christ: The author’s transformation from a life of sin to a life of ministry shows that in Christ, we are truly new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17).
- God’s Use of Transformed Lives: Daddy Adeboye’s past did not disqualify him from being used by God; instead, it became a platform for God’s glory.
4. The Example of Paul (Saul)
Today’s devotional draws a parallel between the author’s transformation and that of the Apostle Paul. Paul’s life is one of the most dramatic examples of God’s grace in the Bible. From being a persecutor of the church to becoming one of its greatest leaders, Paul’s story demonstrates:
- The Depth of God’s Mercy: If God could save Paul, He can save anyone.
- The Purpose of Transformation: Paul’s life was not just changed for his sake but for the sake of the gospel. His ministry impacted cities and continents, showing that God’s transformation always has a greater purpose.
5. The Privileges of Being God’s Child
The devotional for today emphasizes the privileges that come with being a child of God. These include:
- Access to Divine Privileges: As God’s children, we have the right to call Him Father and partake in His inheritance (Romans 8:15-17).
- Authority in Christ: Paul exercised his divine rights and authority to perform miracles and spread the gospel. This shows that transformed lives are not just about personal salvation but about being vessels for God’s work in the world.
6. Key Message: Surrender and Transformation
The key message of the devotional is clear: God wants to give you a new identity and make you His beloved child. Surrender to Him now and watch Him make your life a wonder to many (Psalm 71:7).This is a call to action for those who are not yet born again or who may feel unworthy of God’s love. It reminds us that:
- No One is Beyond God’s Reach: No matter how grave your sins, God’s grace is greater.
- Transformation is Complete: When God changes a person, He does it thoroughly, giving them a new identity and purpose.
- Your Life Can Be a Testimony: God’s work in your life can become a powerful testimony to others.
The RCCG devotional for today serves as both an encouragement and a challenge:
- Encouragement: It reminds us of the power of God’s grace in our own lives and encourages us to celebrate the transformations we see in others.
- Challenge: It challenges us to be instruments of God’s mercy, helping others understand that no one is beyond His reach. We are called to share the gospel boldly and to pray for those who are still lost or backslidden.
Conclusion
This devotional is a beautiful reminder of the transformative power of God’s grace. It reassures us that no one is too far gone for God to save and that His mercy can turn even the worst sinners into His beloved children. The testimonies shared- both personal and biblical – serve as powerful examples of what God can do when we surrender to Him. Let us embrace our identity as new creations in Christ and live lives that testify to His amazing grace. If you have not yet surrendered to Him, today is the day to experience His life-changing love.
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