The Open Heavens 9 June 2026 devotional for today is START FROM YOUR JERUSALEM.
This is a daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
OPEN HEAVENS 9 JUNE 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL
TOPIC: START FROM YOUR JERUSALEM
MEMORISE:
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Acts 1:8
READ: Luke 16:10-11
10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
RCCG OPEN HEAVENS 9 JUNE 2026 TODAY MESSAGE
Many Christians profess that they are the light of the world, which is good because it is the mandate that Jesus gave his followers in Matthew 5:14.
However, many of them have not even allowed the light of Christ to shine in their homes, nor have they preached the gospel of Christ to anyone around them. Do you know that if every Christian took it upon themselves to win their hometown to Christ, the whole world could have been saved by now?
When Jesus Christ stepped into my life, He not only used me to greatly extend the reach of His light in my village, Ifèwàrà, but He also used me to bring the name of my village to the world. Today, the people of Ifèwàrà are glad that Adeboye is from there because they are enjoying the benefits of the light of Christ. Believe me, the development of your hometown rests on your shoulders as a Christian because when you allow God’s light to shine there, the whole world will begin to take notice of the town. No one can ignore light.
When Jesus gave His disciples the mandate to go out and be witnesses to all nations, He told them to start from Jerusalem, then move to Judea and Samaria before taking over the uttermost parts of the earth (Acts 1:8). God’s plan is always that we should start from our ‘Jerusalem’. Beloved, your Jerusalem is your family and immediate community. Tell your family members about Jesus.
Preach to your neighbours. Let them see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Your witnessing will not be effective if you want to start from the uttermost parts of the earth. In fact, God will not give you access to the ends of the earth until you have proven yourself faithful in your Jerusalem. He said that He will only commit more into the hands of the fellow who has been faithful in little (Luke 16:10). If you despise your little corner, God will not commit bigger territories into your hands.
Beloved, ask the Lord how you can be more faithful in your Jerusalem. Ask Him to show you how to shine His light before your immediate family effectively. Allow Him to teach you how to show the love of Christ to your neighbours and colleagues at work. May God shine His light through you to your family members, colleagues, members of your community, and the world at large, in Jesus’ name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Psalms 22-27
Open Heavens HYMN 12: ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 9 JUNE 2026 COMMENTARY
MEMORISE: Acts 1:8
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
This verse is the final earthly instruction of Jesus Christ before His ascension. Daddy Adeboye anchors today’s devotional on this text because it reveals the divine order of evangelism: start where you are. The power of the Holy Spirit is not given for personal glory, miraculous spectacle, or spiritual entertainment—it is given for witness. And that witness begins not on a foreign mission field, but in your own home, your own street, your own village. Many Christians want to reach the “uttermost parts” while their own “Jerusalem” remains in darkness.
BIBLE READING: Luke 16:10-11
“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?”
This passage establishes a kingdom principle: faithfulness in small things is the prerequisite for greater responsibility. Daddy Adeboye applies this directly to evangelism. If you cannot witness to your family member or neighbor (your “little”), God will not trust you with a nation (your “much”). The size of your assignment is determined by your stewardship of your current assignment.
The Unfulfilled Mandate: Light That Does Not Shine at Home
1. The Profession vs. The Practice
Daddy Adeboye begins with a painful contradiction:
“Many Christians profess that they are the light of the world, which is good because it is the mandate that Jesus gave his followers in Matthew 5:14. However, many of them have not even allowed the light of Christ to shine in their homes, nor have they preached the gospel of Christ to anyone around them.”
This is the great scandal of modern Christianity:
| Profession | Reality |
|---|---|
| “I am the light of the world” | Darkest person in the neighborhood |
| “I am a witness for Christ” | Has never shared the gospel with their own spouse |
| “I am going to reach the nations” | Has not spoken to the neighbor next door |
| “I am called to missions” | Family members are unsaved and unchallenged |
“Do you know that if every Christian took it upon themselves to win their hometown to Christ, the whole world could have been saved by now?”
This is a staggering thought. The problem is not a lack of missionaries. The problem is not a lack of evangelism programs. The problem is that most Christians have not even begun where they are. They want to skip Jerusalem and go straight to the uttermost parts.
2. Daddy Adeboye’s Personal Testimony: Ifèwàrà
Daddy Adeboye gives his own life as evidence of what happens when a Christian takes their “Jerusalem” seriously:
“When Jesus Christ stepped into my life, He not only used me to greatly extend the reach of His light in my village, Ifèwàrà, but He also used me to bring the name of my village to the world. Today, the people of Ifèwàrà are glad that Adeboye is from there because they are enjoying the benefits of the light of Christ.”
This is a powerful testimony:
| Before Christ | After Christ |
|---|---|
| Ifèwàrà was an unknown village | The world knows Ifèwàrà because Adeboye carries its name |
| No special benefits from having a Christian son | The village enjoys the fruits of the light of Christ |
| A hidden place | A referenced place in global Christianity |
“Believe me, the development of your hometown rests on your shoulders as a Christian because when you allow God’s light to shine there, the whole world will begin to take notice of the town. No one can ignore light.”
This is not prosperity gospel. This is the simple principle that light attracts attention. When you truly shine, people will ask about your source. When your hometown produces a genuinely transformed Christian, that town becomes notable. You are not just saving souls; you are elevating the reputation of your community.
The Divine Order of Witness: Jerusalem First
1. The Four Circles of Influence (Acts 1:8)
Daddy Adeboye breaks down Jesus’ command into four concentric circles:
| Circle | Location | Who Is Here | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jerusalem | Your immediate family and hometown | Spouse, children, parents, siblings, neighbors | First |
| Judea | Your broader region and ethnic group | Extended family, same language/culture, your workplace | Second |
| Samaria | Those different from you (other tribes, cultures, even enemies) | People you have historical tensions with | Third |
| Uttermost parts | The nations, foreign lands, distant cultures | People who have never heard the name of Jesus | Fourth |
“God’s plan is always that we should start from our ‘Jerusalem’.”
You cannot reverse this order. A man who will not speak to his own child about Jesus will not speak to strangers in a foreign land. A woman who hides her light from her husband will not shine brightly in a hostile culture. Jerusalem is the proving ground.
2. What “Jerusalem” Means for You
Daddy Adeboye makes it practical:
“Beloved, your Jerusalem is your family and immediate community. Tell your family members about Jesus. Preach to your neighbours. Let them see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
| Category | Specific Application |
|---|---|
| Nuclear family | Spouse, children, parents living in your home |
| Extended family | Siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents |
| Immediate community | Next-door neighbors, street, local shopkeepers |
| Workplace colleagues | Desk mates, supervisors, subordinates |
| Schoolmates | Classmates, teachers, dormitory residents |
Your Jerusalem is wherever you live, work, and move daily. It is the people who see you when you are not “performing Christianity” at church. It is the people who know your real name, your real habits, and your real temper.
The Faithfulness Principle: Little Becomes Much
1. Why God Withholds Bigger Territories
Daddy Adeboye makes a bold statement:
“In fact, God will not give you access to the ends of the earth until you have proven yourself faithful in your Jerusalem.”
This is not God being cruel. This is God being wise.
| If God Gave You… Without Jerusalem Faithfulness | Result |
|---|---|
| A national platform | You would bring shame to the gospel by your unaddressed family hypocrisy |
| A mission field in another country | You would abandon it when difficulty comes, as you abandoned your own household |
| Influence and wealth | You would use it for selfish glory, not kingdom expansion |
“He said that He will only commit more into the hands of the fellow who has been faithful in little (Luke 16:10). If you despise your little corner, God will not commit bigger territories into your hands.”
Your family is your “little.” Your neighborhood is your “little.” Your workplace is your “little.” If you are not faithful there—if you are not witnessing, not shining, not showing the love of Christ—then you are disqualifying yourself from greater assignments.
2. The Progression of Responsibility
Daddy Adeboye implies a spiritual ladder:
| Level | Assignment | Faithfulness Required | Next Level Unlocked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Your Jerusalem (family, neighbors) | Faithful witness, consistent light | Judea |
| 2 | Your Judea (region, workplace, extended family) | Expanding influence, maintained integrity | Samaria |
| 3 | Your Samaria (different cultures, difficult people) | Overcoming prejudice, loving enemies | Uttermost parts |
| 4 | Uttermost parts (nations, global missions) | Full stewardship of the Great Commission | Heavenly reward |
Many Christians want Level 4 without passing Levels 1-3. Daddy Adeboye says: It does not work that way.
Signs That You Are Neglecting Your Jerusalem
Based on Daddy Adeboye’s teaching, here are diagnostic questions:
| Question | If Answer Is “No” | Your Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Have you shared the gospel clearly with your spouse? | No | You are neglecting your first Jerusalem |
| Have your children heard you explain why you follow Jesus? | No | Your light is hidden from your own household |
| Do your neighbors know you are a Christian by your actions, not just your church attendance? | No | You are a secret disciple, not a light |
| Have you ever invited a colleague to church or shared your testimony at work? | No | Your Jerusalem extends to your workplace, but you have not entered it |
| Does your extended family (parents, siblings, cousins) know you pray for their salvation? | No | You are silent where you should be loudest |
“Your witnessing will not be effective if you want to start from the uttermost parts of the earth.”
You cannot be a world-changer if you are not a home-changer. The power that works in Nigeria or India will not work through you if it does not work through you in your living room.
How to Shine in Your Jerusalem (Practical Steps)
Daddy Adeboye closes with a prayer and an implicit action plan. Here is how to become faithful in your little:
- Pray Specifically for Your Jerusalem: Daddy Adeboye instructs: “Ask the Lord how you can be more faithful in your Jerusalem. Ask Him to show you how to shine His light before your immediate family effectively.” Make a list of every person in your Jerusalem. Pray for them by name daily.
- Start with Actions Before Words:“Let them see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Before you preach, live a life that makes the gospel attractive:
- Show patience when provoked
- Give generously without complaint
- Forgive quickly and visibly
- Serve without seeking recognition
- Speak at the Right Time: Actions open the door; words walk through it. Look for natural openings:
- When a family member faces a crisis, offer to pray
- When a neighbor needs help, explain that Christ’s love motivates you
- When a colleague asks why you are different, share your testimony
- Do Not Despise Small Beginnings: One family member saved is a victory. One neighbor who starts coming to church is progress. Do not measure yourself by international evangelists. Measure yourself by your faithfulness to your assigned circle.
- Be Consistent, Not Sporadic: Your light must shine “before men” (plural, repeated exposure). A one-time gospel tract left on the kitchen table is not the same as a lifetime of consistent Christlike character. Shine every day, not just on Sundays.
Warning: Do Not Skip Jerusalem
Daddy Adeboye’s devotional carries a sobering warning: many Christians are building ministry empires while their own families are unsaved. They are preaching to thousands while their own children are wandering. They are flying to international conferences while their next-door neighbors do not know their name.
This is not success. This is spiritual negligence.
| The Hypocrisy of Skipping Jerusalem | The Biblical Standard |
|---|---|
| “I am called to the nations” | “If anyone does not provide for his own household, he has denied the faith” (1 Timothy 5:8) |
| “My family doesn’t listen to me” | “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders” (Colossians 4:5) – start with conduct, then conversation |
| “I’m too busy for personal evangelism; I support missionaries instead” | “You shall be witnesses unto me” (Acts 1:8) – not “you shall fund witnesses” |
You cannot outsource your Jerusalem. God has placed specific people in your path—your spouse, your children, your parents, your neighbors, your colleagues—and He holds you responsible for whether they saw Jesus in you.
Conclusion: Your Prayer for Jerusalem Faithfulness
Daddy Adeboye closes with a prayer that God will shine through you to your family, colleagues, community, and the world—in that order. Pray this prayer with intention.
Pray this:
“Lord Jesus, You have called me to be a light, not to hide under a bowl. Forgive me for the ways I have professed to be light while my own home remains dark. Forgive me for wanting to reach the nations while neglecting my Jerusalem. Today, I ask You: show me how to be faithful in my little corner. Teach me how to shine before my family, my neighbors, and my colleagues. Give me the power of the Holy Spirit to witness—not with aggressive words only, but with a transformed life that makes the gospel attractive. I receive the grace to start where I am. Let my hometown be glad that I am a Christian. Let my family see Jesus in me. And when I have been faithful in little, then trust me with more, in Jesus’ mighty name.”
Action Steps:
- Jerusalem List: Write down the names of every person in your immediate circle who is not saved or not walking with God: spouse, children, parents, siblings, neighbors, colleagues. Keep this list in your Bible. Pray over it daily for 30 days.
- The 7-Day Light Test: For seven days, consciously do one kind act each day for a different person in your Jerusalem without expecting anything in return. Do not announce it as “evangelism.” Just serve. Then watch how doors open for conversation.
- The Faithfulness Audit: Ask yourself honestly: If God never gave me a bigger platform than I have right now, would I be content that I have been faithful in my little? If the answer is no, repent and change your focus today.
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
Start where you are. Shine where you are. Be faithful in your Jerusalem. The uttermost parts will follow.
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