The Open Heaven 21 June 2026 devotional for today is EMULATE YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER.
This is a daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
OPEN HEAVEN 21 JUNE 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL
TOPIC: EMULATE YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER
MEMORISE:
That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Hebrews 6:12
READ: Ephesians 5:1-5
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
RCCG OPEN HEAVEN 21 JUNE 2026 TODAY MESSAGE
Years ago, a pastor prayed and told God that if He gave him ten percent of what I had, he would be satisfied. God told him that if he could do what I do, then he would get what I had. When he asked God about what I had done in the past, God told him that I started with 40 days of fasting. The man told God to leave him as he was because he was not ready to follow that example.
Child of God, to achieve certain results in life, you must follow certain examples as it is only natural to eventually become like those whose lifestyle you emulate. When Elijah was taken up into heaven, Elisha received a double portion of the anointing on Elijah’s life, took Elijah’s mantle, rolled it up, and struck River Jordan. Then, he asked God to part the river as he had parted it for Elijah, and God did so. Elisha followed his father’s example.
Paul told the believers at Corinth to follow him as he followed Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). The question is, who are you following? Who are you mimicking?
Ephesians 5:1 says that we should be followers of God as dear children. As we follow God, there are also people of God around us whom we can also follow.
Today’s memory verse urges us to follow those who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises.
There are patterns and examples you should follow as a child of God. If someone is truly following Jesus Christ, then you are safe when you follow him or her because such a person will lead you to the Lord. God has provided many great examples in His word and has also given us fathers in the faith to emulate as they follow Christ.
To truly emulate someone, you must study them closely and watch what they are doing. You cannot emulate people just from little clips you see about them on social media, because there are many things about them that you will miss. Read their books, volunteer to work with them, and study how they approach matters.
Beloved, as you emulate your heavenly Father, also become a good and worthy example to others. Follow Christ so that those emulating you will also find Him. I pray that as you emulate your heavenly Father, He will make you a worthy ambassador for Him, in Jesus’ name.
ACTION POINT:
Today is Father’s Day. Pray that God will help all fathers to be worthy of emulation.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Psalms 89-94
Open Heavens HYMN 59: I WANT TO BE LIKE JESUS
OPEN HEAVEN DEVOTIONAL 21 JUNE 2026 COMMENTARY
MEMORISE: Hebrews 6:12
“That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
This verse establishes the divine principle of spiritual succession. Daddy Adeboye anchors today’s devotional on this text because it warns against spiritual laziness (“slothful”) and commands active following of those who have already walked the path of faith and patience to their promised inheritance. The word “followers” (Greek mimetes) means imitators, mimics, emulators. You cannot inherit the promises by inventing your own path; you inherit by following those who have already received what you seek. Faith and patience are the twin engines of promise-inheritance, and they are best learned by watching those who have mastered them.
BIBLE READING: Ephesians 5:1-5
“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”
This passage commands believers to be “followers of God” (imitators of God) as dear children. Children naturally imitate their parents. Daddy Adeboye uses this to show that spiritual imitation is not weakness—it is the design of the kingdom. Just as a child learns to speak, walk, and behave by watching their father, so believers learn to walk in love, purity, and thanksgiving by watching God and those who reflect God. The passage also warns that not everyone is worthy of imitation; those who live in fornication, uncleanness, covetousness, and foolish talk have no inheritance and should not be followed.
The Pastor Who Wanted Ten Percent
1. The Prayer Request
Daddy Adeboye shares a sobering testimony about a pastor who came to God with a seemingly modest request:
“Years ago, a pastor prayed and told God that if He gave him ten percent of what I had, he would be satisfied.”
This pastor was not asking for extravagance. Ten percent of Daddy Adeboye’s resources—whatever that amount was—seemed sufficient. It was a humble request on the surface.
2. God’s Response
“God told him that if he could do what I do, then he would get what I had.”
God redirected the pastor’s focus from the result (the wealth) to the process (the lifestyle that produced the result). You cannot have the harvest without the labor. You cannot have the reward without the sacrifice.
| The Pastor’s Focus | God’s Focus |
|---|---|
| “Give me ten percent of what he has” | “Do what he does, and you will have what he has” |
| The blessing (wealth, resources, success) | The lifestyle (fasting, prayer, sacrifice, obedience) |
| The outcome | The process |
3. The Question About the Past
“When he asked God about what I had done in the past, God told him that I started with 40 days of fasting. The man told God to leave him as he was because he was not ready to follow that example.”
This is the tragic turning point. The pastor wanted the reward but was unwilling to pay the price. He asked about the past sacrifices that had built the foundation, and when he heard “40 days of fasting,” he withdrew his request.
| The Pastor’s Response | What It Revealed |
|---|---|
| “Leave me as I was” | He was not willing to pay the price for the blessing |
| “I am not ready to follow that example” | He wanted the result without the process |
| He remained where he was | He forfeited the ten percent he could have had |
“Child of God, to achieve certain results in life, you must follow certain examples as it is only natural to eventually become like those whose lifestyle you emulate.”
This is the law of spiritual imitation: you become like those you follow. If you follow lazy people, you become lazy. If you follow prayerful people, you become prayerful. If you follow those who fast, sacrifice, and obey, you will eventually inherit what they have inherited.
Elisha’s Example: Following Elijah to a Double Portion
1. The Pattern of Imitation
“When Elijah was taken up into heaven, Elisha received a double portion of the anointing on Elijah’s life, took Elijah’s mantle, rolled it up, and struck River Jordan. Then, he asked God to part the river as he had parted it for Elijah, and God did so. Elisha followed his father’s example.”
Consider Elisha’s journey of imitation:
| Stage | Elisha’s Action | What He Was Following |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Left his oxen and farm | Called by Elijah, left everything |
| 2 | Refused to stay behind when Elijah tried to leave him | “As the LORD liveth… I will not leave thee” |
| 3 | Witnessed Elijah’s miracles | Watched, learned, served |
| 4 | Asked for a double portion | Not entitlement—he had served and watched |
| 5 | Took Elijah’s mantle | Received the external symbol of the anointing |
| 6 | Struck the Jordan | Imitated Elijah’s exact action |
| 7 | Asked God to part the river | Used the same faith, same words, same God |
“Elisha followed his father’s example.”
Elisha did not invent a new method. He did not say, “I will find my own way.” He watched Elijah, served Elijah, stayed with Elijah, and then did what Elijah did. The result? The same God who parted the Jordan for Elijah parted it for Elisha.
2. The Question: Who Are You Following?
“Paul told the believers at Corinth to follow him as he followed Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). The question is, who are you following? Who are you mimicking?”
| Possible Mentors | Result of Following Them |
|---|---|
| Christ (directly) | You become like Christ |
| A godly leader who follows Christ | You are led to Christ |
| Worldly celebrities | You become worldly |
| Lazy Christians | You become spiritually lazy |
| Prayer warriors | You become a prayer warrior |
| Those who fast and sacrifice | You inherit what they have inherited |
Paul was confident enough to say, “Follow me.” Not because he was perfect, but because he was following Christ. He knew that anyone who imitated him would end up at Jesus.
The Call to Be Followers of God (Ephesians 5:1)
“Ephesians 5:1 says that we should be followers of God as dear children.”
1. Children Imitate Their Father
| A Child… | A Believer… |
|---|---|
| Watches the father constantly | Watches God in Scripture, prayer, and the Spirit |
| Copies the father’s words and actions | Copies God’s character—love, holiness, forgiveness |
| Learns by doing what the father does | Learns by obeying God’s commands |
| Becomes like the father over time | Becomes like God over time (sanctification) |
“As we follow God, there are also people of God around us whom we can also follow.”
Godly leaders are not substitutes for God—they are signposts pointing to God. They show you what it looks like to follow God in practical, daily life.
2. Follow Those Who Inherit Promises (Hebrews 6:12)
“Today’s memory verse urges us to follow those who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises.”
| The Two Qualities to Look For | Why They Matter |
|---|---|
| Faith | They trust God when circumstances say otherwise |
| Patience | They wait on God’s timing without giving up |
If someone has inherited promises from God, they have something to teach you. They have walked the path of faith (believing when it was hard) and patience (waiting when it was long). Follow them. Watch them. Learn from them.
How to Truly Emulate Someone
Daddy Adeboye gives practical instructions on what genuine imitation looks like:
1. Study Them Closely
“To truly emulate someone, you must study them closely and watch what they are doing.”
| Superficial Imitation | Genuine Imitation |
|---|---|
| Watch clips on social media | Study their daily habits |
| Know their public persona | Understand their private disciplines |
| See their highlights | Learn from their struggles |
| Imitate their style | Imitate their substance |
“You cannot emulate people just from little clips you see about them on social media, because there are many things about them that you will miss.”
Social media shows the highlight reel, not the training room. It shows the miracle, not the midnight prayer. It shows the harvest, not the 40 days of fasting. If you want to emulate someone, you must go deeper than their public content.
2. Read Their Books
Daddy Adeboye himself has written extensively. Books capture the teachings, principles, and testimonies that cannot be condensed into a two-minute video. Read the books of those you want to emulate.
3. Volunteer to Work with Them
“Volunteer to work with them…”
There is no substitute for proximity. Work alongside those you want to become like. Serve in their ministry. Ask to help with their projects. Watch how they handle pressure, disappointment, success, and failure.
4. Study How They Approach Matters
“Study how they approach matters.”
Not just what they do, but how they do it. How do they pray before a decision? How do they treat people who cannot help them? How do they respond to criticism? How do they handle wealth or lack? These are the subtle patterns that shape a life.
Become an Example for Others
“Beloved, as you emulate your heavenly Father, also become a good and worthy example to others.”
| You Are Following… | You Are Also Being Followed |
|---|---|
| God | Someone is watching you |
| Christlike leaders | Someone is mimicking your habits |
| Those who inherit promises | Someone hopes to inherit through your example |
“Follow Christ so that those emulating you will also find Him.”
This is the ultimate goal of spiritual imitation: a chain of discipleship leading to Christ. Paul followed Christ, and he told others to follow him. Those others would then become examples for the next generation. The chain continues.
| Generation | Role |
|---|---|
| Christ | The ultimate Example |
| Paul | “Follow me as I follow Christ” |
| Timothy | “Be an example to believers” (1 Timothy 4:12) |
| Faithful men | “Commit to faithful men who shall teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2) |
Where are you in this chain? Are you following someone? Are you being someone worth following?
Warning: Do Not Follow the Wrong Examples
Daddy Adeboye’s devotional carries an implicit warning from the Ephesians 5 passage: not everyone is worthy of imitation.
| Do Not Follow Those Who… | Because… |
|---|---|
| Live in fornication | They have no inheritance in God’s kingdom |
| Practice uncleanness | They are not following God |
| Are covetous (idolaters) | Their god is money, not the Lord |
| Speak filthiness, foolish talk, or jesting | Their words do not reflect God’s character |
“If someone is truly following Jesus Christ, then you are safe when you follow him or her because such a person will lead you to the Lord.”
But if someone is not truly following Christ—no matter how popular, wealthy, or influential they are—following them will lead you away from God, not toward Him.
Practical Steps for Godly Imitation
Based on Daddy Adeboye’s teaching, here is how to choose and follow the right examples:
- Identify Someone Who Has What You Want Spiritually: Not material wealth only, but spiritual depth, prayer life, fruitfulness, peace, joy, or anointing. Ask: Who has inherited promises I want to inherit?
- Study Their Life Thoroughly: Read their books, listen to their full messages (not clips), attend their meetings if possible. Learn their private disciplines, not just their public successes.
- Ask About Their Past Sacrifices: The pastor in the testimony asked, “What did he do in the past?” That is the right question. Find out what fasting, prayer, obedience, and sacrifices built the foundation you see today.
- Be Willing to Pay the Price: When you hear the answer (40 days of fasting, years of waiting, costly obedience), do not say, “Leave me as I am.” Say, “Lord, give me grace to follow this example.”
- Become Worth Following: As you grow, intentionally live in a way that others can safely imitate. Do not be a stumbling block. Be an example in faith, patience, love, purity, and obedience.
Conclusion: Your Prayer for Worthy Examples
Daddy Adeboye closes with a prayer that as you emulate your heavenly Father, He will make you a worthy ambassador. You need examples to follow. And you need to become an example for others.
Pray this:
“Father, I thank You for the examples You have placed in Your word and in the body of Christ. Forgive me for the times I have wanted the results without the process—the blessing without the sacrifice, the harvest without the labor. Lead me to those who, through faith and patience, have inherited promises. Give me the grace to study them closely, to learn from their lives, and to follow their example as they follow Christ. And Lord, make me an example worth following. Let my life lead others to You, not away from You. I am willing to pay the price. I will not say ‘Leave me as I am.’ I will follow. I will learn. I will become like those who have gone before me in faith. In Jesus’ mighty name.”
Action Steps:
- The Example Audit: Identify three people (living or biblical) who have what you want spiritually. Write their names. Then write down specific things they did to get there (fasting, prayer, obedience, patience, giving). Commit to imitating one of those practices this month.
- The Deeper Study Commitment: Choose one godly leader you admire. Instead of just watching clips, read one of their books or listen to three full messages this week. Take notes on their habits, not just their highlights.
- The Legacy Question: Ask yourself: If someone followed me exactly as I am today, where would they end up? Would they end up closer to Christ or further away? Let your answer shape your decisions this week.
“That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:12)
You become like those you follow. Choose wisely. Follow those who follow Christ. Study their lives. Pay the price they paid. And then become an example for the next generation.
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