The Open Heavens 30 November 2026 devotional for today is APPRECIATE OTHERS.
This is a daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

OPEN HEAVENS 30 NOVEMBER 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL
TOPIC: APPRECIATE OTHERS
MEMORISE:
I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
1 Corinthians 1:4
READ: Philemon 1:4-7, Philemon 1:21
Philemon 1:4-7
I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
Philemon 1:21
Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
RCCG OPEN HEAVENS 30 NOVEMBER 2026 TODAY MESSAGE
Everyone loves to be appreciated and valued. In fact, one of the ways to encourage people to do better is to appreciate them for the things they have done in the past. Nobody likes being castigated at all times. If you are to point out what someone did wrong, it is important to first appreciate that person for what he or she did right. That way, it would be easier for the person to take your corrections.
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32
I remember when I was a younger preacher; whenever I delivered a sermon that wasn’t very good, my wife would lovingly say, “Darling, what happened?” However, when I preached well, she would come to me after the service, smile, and say, “That was good.” I always took her criticisms seriously and worked to improve my preaching because she never failed to appreciate me whenever I did well. In fact, I was always looking forward to what she would say after every sermon.
It is rare to see a wife who does not smile when her husband tells her, “You look good.” If you are married, you must appreciate your spouse at all times. Appreciating your spouse will put a smile on his or her face. When you appreciate your spouse, he or she will love you more and take your corrections easily. Also, parents should show appreciation to their children. They should take time to point out their good qualities and praise them when they do the right things. They should also correct them when they do the wrong things. Oftentimes, parents are quicker to notice the negative things their children do than the positive things, so they scold and castigate them at all times. When they do this, they are provoking their children to anger, and Colossians 3:21 says that children should not be provoked to anger, lest they be discouraged.
In today’s Bible reading, Apostle Paul expressed his appreciation towards Philemon for his faith and love towards Jesus Christ and the saints, then expressed his confidence in Philemon’s ability to do even more than he had previously done. When you appreciate people, you are encouraging them to do more.
Beloved, cultivate the habit of appreciating people. When you appreciate the people around you, they become more willing to open up to you because they know that you genuinely love and value them.
ACTION POINT
Be intentional about appreciating the people around you.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
1 Corinthians 5-9
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 30 NOVEMBER 2026 COMMENTARY
Today’s devotional is a gentle reminder about the power of appreciation. Daddy shows us that appreciation is not just a nicety — it is a tool for building relationships, encouraging growth, and even making correction easier to receive. Whether in marriage, parenting, or everyday relationships, the habit of appreciating others can transform the atmosphere around us. Let’s examine what the Word says about this important truth.
Everyone Loves to Be Appreciated and Valued
The first lesson is that everyone loves to be appreciated and valued. Daddy says, “Everyone loves to be appreciated and valued. In fact, one of the ways to encourage people to do better is to appreciate them for the things they have done in the past. Nobody likes being castigated at all times.” In everyday life, this is a simple but profound truth. The colleague who feels seen works harder. The child who is praised for their efforts tries even more. The spouse who is appreciated for their sacrifices feels loved and respected. Ephesians 4:32 says, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Kindness includes appreciation. It includes taking the time to notice what someone is doing right and acknowledging it. We live in a world that is quick to criticize and slow to praise. But as children of God, we are called to be different. We are called to build people up, not tear them down. So today, look for opportunities to appreciate the people around you. A kind word, a simple “thank you,” or a genuine compliment can go a long way.
It Is Easier to Take Correction from Someone Who Appreciates You
The second lesson is that it is easier to take correction from someone who appreciates you. Daddy says, “If you are to point out what someone did wrong, it is important to first appreciate that person for what he or she did right. That way, it would be easier for the person to take your corrections.” He shares a personal example: when he delivered a sermon that wasn’t very good, his wife would lovingly say, “Darling, what happened?” But when he preached well, she would come to him and say, “That was good.” He always took her criticisms seriously because she never failed to appreciate him whenever he did well. In everyday life, this means that appreciation softens the heart and opens the ears. When someone knows you value them, they are more likely to receive your correction without feeling attacked. But when all they ever hear is criticism, they become defensive and resistant. Proverbs 15:1 says, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” Appreciation is a soft answer. It builds trust and makes correction a conversation rather than a confrontation. So before you point out what someone did wrong, take a moment to acknowledge what they did right. It will make all the difference.
Being Quick to Correct Rather Than Praise Provokes Anger
The third lesson is that being quick to correct rather than praise provokes anger. Daddy says, “Oftentimes, parents are quicker to notice the negative things their children do than the positive things, so they scold and castigate them at all times. When they do this, they are provoking their children to anger, and Colossians 3:21 says that children should not be provoked to anger, lest they be discouraged.” In everyday life, this is a warning to all of us, especially parents, spouses, and leaders. When correction outweighs appreciation, the person on the receiving end begins to feel worthless and discouraged. They stop trying because they feel they can never measure up. This is not to say that correction is wrong — it is not. But correction should be balanced with appreciation. Paul gave us a model in today’s Bible reading: he expressed his appreciation towards Philemon for his faith and love towards Jesus Christ and the saints, then expressed his confidence in Philemon’s ability to do even more (Philemon 1:4-7). He appreciated first, then encouraged. That is the pattern we should follow. Be intentional about praising the good you see in others. Let your appreciation be louder than your correction. As Daddy says, “When you appreciate people, you are encouraging them to do more.”
The Power of a Kind Word
What a timely and practical word! Everyone loves to be appreciated and valued. It is easier to take correction from someone who appreciates you. And being quick to correct rather than praise provokes anger. This is a message about love in action. It is a call to be intentional about appreciation. This week, look for opportunities to praise the people around you. Tell your spouse how much you appreciate them. Praise your children for the good they do. Thank your colleagues for their contributions. A kind word costs nothing, but it can change everything. Let appreciation be the habit of your heart, and watch how it transforms your relationships and the people around you.
Action Steps
- Practice daily appreciation. Each day this week, intentionally appreciate at least one person in your life. Be specific about what you appreciate and let them know how much you value them.
- Balance correction with praise. Before you point out a mistake or give correction, take a moment to acknowledge what the person did right. Let appreciation come before correction.
- Avoid provoking others with constant criticism. Be mindful of your words, especially with children and those under your care. Make sure your praise is louder than your criticism and your encouragement is more frequent than your correction.
Prayer Points
- Father, I thank You for the people You have placed in my life. Thank You for the love, support, and contributions they make, and for teaching me the power of appreciation.
- Lord, help me to be intentional about appreciating others. Teach me to notice the good in people and to express my appreciation often, in Jesus’ name.
- Father, forgive me for the times I have been quick to criticize and slow to praise. Help me to speak words of encouragement rather than words of correction, in Jesus’ name.
- Lord, help me to balance correction with appreciation. Give me wisdom to correct in love, and to first acknowledge the good in others before pointing out what needs to change, in Jesus’ name.
- Father, let my home be filled with appreciation. Help me to appreciate my spouse, my children, and my family, and to create an environment of love and encouragement, in Jesus’ name.
- Lord, help me not to provoke others to anger. Let my words build up and not tear down, and let my appreciation bring out the best in others, in Jesus’ name.
- Father, let me be known as a person who appreciates others. Use me to encourage and uplift the people around me, and let my kindness draw them closer to You, in Jesus’ name.

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