Category: Open Heavens Devotional

The Open Heaven 18 June 2026 devotional for today is ALWAYS THANK GOD.

This is a daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

• Read: RCCG Open Heaven 17 June 2026 Devotional

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OPEN HEAVEN 18 JUNE 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL

TOPIC: ALWAYS THANK GOD

MEMORISE:

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High:
Psalm 92:1

READ: Matthew 15:30-38

³⁰ And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them:
³¹ Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.
³² Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.
³³ And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?
³⁴ And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.

³⁵ And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.
³⁶ And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
³⁷ And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.
³⁸ And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.

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RCCG OPEN HEAVEN 18 JUNE 2026 TODAY MESSAGE

Years ago, a very wealthy man came to see me and said that he was having trouble sleeping. He also said he was told that if I prayed for him, the problem would be solved. He added that he would give me 14 houses if I prayed for him, and the problem was solved. Of course, he didn’t need to offer me his houses for me to pray for him, but his desperation to be able to sleep made him say so.

Being able to sleep is one of the many divine blessings that are often taken for granted until one can no longer sleep or sees people who can’t.

Beloved, you have a lot to thank God for, and living a life of thanksgiving makes you quick to recognise God’s goodness in your life. Even amid challenges, when you are thankful, you will find many reasons to praise God. You will be quick to acknowledge that God is the reason things are not worse. You will also be confident that God is working things out in your favour (Romans 8:28).

When people thank God, He opens the windows of heaven to pour out His blessings upon them. In today’s Bible reading, there were 4,000 hungry men, besides women and children, with Jesus and His disciples.

Jesus had compassion on them and wanted to feed them; so, He asked His disciples to tell Him how much food they had. They replied that they had only seven loaves of bread and a few fishes.

Despite the obvious inadequacy of the food to feed thousands of people, Jesus gave thanks, broke the bread, and handed them to His disciples to share among the multitude. His first response to the scarcity of resources was to give thanks. Jesus’ heart of gratitude opened the windows of heaven for multiplication, and suddenly, the food that was too little to feed the multitude multiplied so much that everyone was filled, and they were left with seven baskets of leftovers.

Beloved, are you facing any difficult situation? Are you in dire need of resources, help, or a change in the circumstances surrounding your life? Do not despair or complain; rather, give God thanks.

Despair or complaints will not multiply the little you have; however, thanksgiving will give you access to the miraculous. I pray that the Lord will open your eyes to see His grace at work in every facet of your life and help you to cultivate a heart of genuine gratitude, in Jesus’ name.

KEY POINT:

Giving thanks to God releases the miraculous

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Psalms 73-77

Open Heavens HYMN 17: PRAISE MY SOUL THE KING OF HEAVEN

OPEN HEAVEN DEVOTIONAL 18 JUNE 2026 COMMENTARY

MEMORISE: Psalm 92:1

“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High.”

This verse establishes thanksgiving as not merely an obligation but a good thing. Daddy Adeboye anchors today’s devotional on this text because it reminds believers that gratitude is inherently beneficial—both to God and to the one giving thanks. The Hebrew word for “good” (tov) means pleasant, agreeable, beneficial, and morally excellent. Thanksgiving is not a burden to be endured; it is a privilege to be embraced. When you thank God, you are not doing Him a favor—you are positioning yourself for His favor.

BIBLE READING: Matthew 15:30-38

This passage records the feeding of the four thousand. Great multitudes came to Jesus, bringing the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others. They cast them at Jesus’ feet, and He healed them all. After three days, Jesus had compassion on the crowd because they had nothing to eat. He asked His disciples how much food they had. They replied: seven loaves and a few small fish. Jesus commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. Then He gave thanks, broke the loaves and fish, and gave them to the disciples, who distributed them to the crowd. Everyone ate and was filled, and seven baskets of leftovers remained. Daddy Adeboye highlights a critical detail: before the multiplication, before the miracle, Jesus gave thanks. Thanksgiving was the trigger for supernatural provision.

The Blessing of Sleep: A Testimony of Thanksgiving

1. The Wealthy Man Who Could Not Sleep

Daddy Adeboye shares a revealing testimony:

“Years ago, a very wealthy man came to see me and said that he was having trouble sleeping. He also said he was told that if I prayed for him, the problem would be solved. He added that he would give me 14 houses if I prayed for him, and the problem was solved.”

Consider the man’s condition:

The Man’s Wealth	His Problem
Wealthy enough to offer 14 houses	Could not sleep
Had resources to buy almost anything	Could not buy rest
Surrounded by possessions	Lacked the simplest blessing

“Of course, he didn’t need to offer me his houses for me to pray for him, but his desperation to be able to sleep made him say so.”

“Being able to sleep is one of the many divine blessings that are often taken for granted until one can no longer sleep or sees people who can’t.”

This testimony exposes the tragedy of ingratitude. The wealthy man had houses, money, and possessions—but he had forgotten to thank God for the simple gift of sleep. And when sleep was withdrawn, all his wealth could not buy it back.

Blessings We Take for Granted	What Happens When We Lose Them
Sleep	Restlessness, exhaustion, mental health decline
Breath	Panic, suffocation, awareness of mortality
Health	Sudden appreciation for every working organ
Food	Hunger that makes the simplest meal a feast
Sight, hearing, mobility	The world becomes dark, silent, or inaccessible

“Beloved, you have a lot to thank God for…”

The Power of a Thankful Heart

1. Thanksgiving Opens Your Eyes to God’s Goodness

“Living a life of thanksgiving makes you quick to recognise God’s goodness in your life.”

Without Thanksgiving	With Thanksgiving
You focus on what you lack	You notice what you have
You complain about problems	You recognize how much worse things could be
You miss daily blessings	You see God’s hand in small things
You become bitter and entitled	You become joyful and grateful

“Even amid challenges, when you are thankful, you will find many reasons to praise God. You will be quick to acknowledge that God is the reason things are not worse.”

This is a profound perspective shift. Even in difficulty, thanksgiving says: “Lord, it could be worse, but You have held it back. Thank You.” Even in failure, thanksgiving says: “Lord, I could have been destroyed, but You preserved me. Thank You.”

2. Thanksgiving Releases Confidence in God’s Plan

“You will also be confident that God is working things out in your favour (Romans 8:28).”

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Thanksgiving is not denial of problems. It is faith that God is weaving even the problems into a pattern for your good. When you thank God before you see the solution, you are declaring: “I trust You. I believe You are working. I am grateful in advance.”

3. Thanksgiving Opens Heaven’s Windows

“When people thank God, He opens the windows of heaven to pour out His blessings upon them.”

This is not a mechanical formula—thanksgiving in, blessings out. It is a relational reality. Thanksgiving shifts your posture from entitlement to humility, from complaint to faith, from lack-awareness to abundance-awareness. And God responds to that posture.

Jesus’ Example: Thanksgiving Before Multiplication

1. The Situation (Matthew 15:30-38)

Daddy Adeboye sets the scene:

“There were 4,000 hungry men, besides women and children, with Jesus and His disciples.”

The Resources	The Need
Seven loaves of bread	Thousands of hungry people
A few small fish	Three days without food
Humanly impossible	Divine opportunity

Jesus could have complained: “Father, these people should have planned better.” He could have despaired: “There is no way this little food can feed this crowd.” He could have sent them away: “Go find your own food.”

He did none of these.

2. The Response: Thanksgiving

“Despite the obvious inadequacy of the food to feed thousands of people, Jesus gave thanks, broke the bread, and handed them to His disciples to share among the multitude. His first response to the scarcity of resources was to give thanks.”

Human Reaction	Jesus’ Reaction
Focus on the inadequacy	Gave thanks for what was present
Complain about the shortage	Thanked God for the little
Calculate the impossibility	Trusted the Father for multiplication
Panic or despair	Peaceful gratitude

“Jesus’ heart of gratitude opened the windows of heaven for multiplication…”

Before Thanksgiving	After Thanksgiving
Seven loaves, a few fish	Thousands fed until full
Not enough for a fraction of the crowd	Seven baskets of leftovers (more than they started with)
Scarcity	Abundance
Limitation	Multiplication

3. The Result: Supernatural Abundance

“Suddenly, the food that was too little to feed the multitude multiplied so much that everyone was filled, and they were left with seven baskets of leftovers.”

The pattern is undeniable:

Step	Action	Outcome
1	Acknowledge the need	Compassion
2	Assess the resources	Seven loaves, a few fish
3	Give thanks	Heaven opens
4	Break and distribute	Multiplication
5	Eat and be filled	Everyone satisfied
6	Gather leftovers	Abundance beyond the original

Thanksgiving was not an afterthought. It was the turning point.

How to Cultivate a Heart of Genuine Gratitude

Based on Daddy Adeboye’s teaching and Jesus’ example, here is how to develop a thankful heart:

1. Start with What You Have, Not What You Lack

Instead of Complaining…	Give Thanks…
“I don’t have enough money”	“Thank You for the money I do have”
“My health is not perfect”	“Thank You that I am alive and functional”
“My family has problems”	“Thank You that I have family”
“My job is stressful”	“Thank You that I have a job”

Jesus gave thanks for seven loaves—inadequate for the need but present. He did not apologize for the shortage. He thanked the Father for the supply.

2. Give Thanks Before the Miracle

“Do not despair or complain; rather, give God thanks.”

Thanksgiving is not a response to the miracle; it is the key that unlocks the miracle.

Timing	Result
Complain before the miracle	No miracle, or delayed miracle
Despair before the miracle	Paralysis, no forward movement
Give thanks before the miracle	Heaven opens, multiplication follows

3. Give Thanks Even Amid Challenges

“Even amid challenges, when you are thankful, you will find many reasons to praise God.”

Make a list of things to thank God for even in hard times:

Category	Things to Thank God For
Preservation	“I am alive. Things are not worse.”
Past faithfulness	“God has brought me through before.”
Promises	“God has promised to work this for good.”
Presence	“God is with me in this fire.”
Small mercies	“I still have breath, food, shelter, a friend…”

4. Make Thanksgiving a Daily Habit

Psalm 92:1 says it is good to give thanks—not just occasionally, but regularly.

Practice	How to Do It
Morning thanksgiving	Before you check your phone, thank God for sleep, breath, and a new day
Meal thanksgiving	Thank God for food before you eat—recognize it as a blessing
Evening thanksgiving	Review the day and name three things you are grateful for
Crisis thanksgiving	Before you complain or panic, stop and thank God for what is still good

Warning: Complaining Closes Heaven; Thanksgiving Opens It

Daddy Adeboye’s devotional carries an implicit warning:

Instead of…	Do This
Despair	Give thanks
Complaints	Give thanks
Focusing on inadequacy	Give thanks for what is present
Worrying about the future	Give thanks for past faithfulness

“Despair or complaints will not multiply the little you have; however, thanksgiving will give you access to the miraculous.”

The Israelites in the wilderness complained constantly. Their clothes did not wear out, and manna fell daily—yet they complained. Their complaints closed their access to the Promised Land. Thanksgiving opens access. Complaining closes it.

The Blessings of a Thankful Life

Based on Scripture and Daddy Adeboye’s teaching, here is what thanksgiving produces:

Blessing	Scriptural Basis
Multiplication of little	Feeding of the 4,000 (Matthew 15:36-38)
Peace that guards the heart	“By prayer and supplication with thanksgiving… the peace of God” (Philippians 4:6-7)
Nearness to God	“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving” (Psalm 100:4)
Victory over enemies	Jehoshaphat appointed singers to thank God, and the enemy was defeated (2 Chronicles 20:21-22)
Open heavens	“Open the windows of heaven” (Malachi 3:10, connected to giving—including thanks)

Conclusion: Your Prayer for a Grateful Heart

Daddy Adeboye closes with a prayer that the Lord will open your eyes to see His grace and help you cultivate genuine gratitude. Do not wait for perfect circumstances. Give thanks now.

Pray this:

“Father, I thank You. Forgive me for the countless blessings I have taken for granted—sleep, breath, health, food, family, salvation. Forgive me for complaining when I should have been thanking. Today, I choose gratitude. Even in the midst of my challenges, I find reasons to praise You. I thank You that things are not worse. I thank You that You are working all things for my good. I thank You in advance for the miracle that is coming. Like Jesus, I give thanks before the multiplication. Open the windows of heaven over my life. Turn my little into abundance. Turn my lack into surplus. Turn my despair into praise. Cultivate in me a heart of genuine gratitude, in Jesus’ mighty name.”

Action Steps:

1. The Sleep Testimony Reminder: Tonight, before you close your eyes to sleep, thank God for the ability to rest. If you sleep and wake, thank Him again. Never take sleep for granted again.
2. The Thanksgiving Before the Miracle Practice: Identify one area of lack or struggle in your life. Every day for the next seven days, thank God specifically for that situation—not for the pain, but for what God is doing, for His presence with you, and for the miracle you believe is coming.
3. The Daily Gratitude Journal: Every evening, write down three specific things you thanked God for that day. At the end of the week, review the list. You will be amazed at how much you have to be grateful for.

“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High.”(Psalm 92:1)
Complaining multiplies nothing. Thanksgiving unlocks everything. Give thanks before the miracle. Give thanks amid the struggle. Give thanks always. Heaven is listening.

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The Open Heaven 17 June 2026 devotional for today is CHILDREN BELONG TO GOD.

This is a daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

• Read: RCCG Open Heaven 16 June 2026 Devotional

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OPEN HEAVEN 17 JUNE 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL

TOPIC: CHILDREN BELONG TO GOD

MEMORISE:

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: And the fruit of the womb is his reward.
Psalm 127:3

READ: Judges 13:6-14

⁶ Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, A man of God came unto me, and his countenance was like the countenance of an angel of God, very terrible: but I asked him not whence he was, neither told he me his name:
⁷ But he said unto me, Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean thing: for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death.
⁸ Then Manoah intreated the Lord, and said, O my Lord, let the man of God which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born.
⁹ And God hearkened to the voice of Manoah; and the angel of God came again unto the woman as she sat in the field: but Manoah her husband was not with her.
¹⁰ And the woman made haste, and ran, and shewed her husband, and said unto him, Behold, the man hath appeared unto me, that came unto me the other day.

¹¹ And Manoah arose, and went after his wife, and came to the man, and said unto him, Art thou the man that spakest unto the woman? And he said, I am.
¹² And Manoah said, Now let thy words come to pass. How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him?
¹³ And the angel of the Lord said unto Manoah, Of all that I said unto the woman let her beware.
¹⁴ She may not eat of any thing that cometh of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing: all that I commanded her let her observe.

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RCCG OPEN HEAVEN 17 JUNE 2026 TODAY MESSAGE

Many years ago, when my children were still little, one of them fell terribly ill. We had already made Jesus our Great Physician, so whenever anyone fell sick in our family, we would simply pray, and God would heal the fellow.

In this instance, however, I prayed to God, worshipped Him, and did everything I knew to do for the boy’s health to be restored, but he did not get better. In my frustration, I asked, “Lord, why have You refused to heal my son?” and God responded, “He is your son; why don’t you heal him yourself?” I immediately realised my mistake and said, “I’m sorry, Lord, he is Your son; please heal Your son.” Within an hour, the boy was back on his feet, playing around.

Parents do not own their children; they are only caretakers. Children are gifts from God, so the owner of children is God Himself (Psalm 127:3); therefore, they are to be taken care of according to His will. Parents who fail to realise that their children belong to God will tend to raise them contrary to His plan. When an angel appeared to Manoah and his wife to tell them that they would give birth to a son, Manoah asked a crucial question that every parent should ask about the children God gives them:

…How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him? Judges 13:12

Manoah understood that the child they were about to give birth to was from God and belonged to Him.

He knew that he was limited as a person in knowing the best way to teach and nurture the child. After asking the crucial question above, the angel gave him and his wife specific instructions on what to avoid during her pregnancy and how to raise the child after birth.

Parents should not lean on their understanding when raising children. They should not try to raise the children God has committed into their care the way others are doing it, because He has customised instructions for raising every child. If you are a parent, ask God to show you how He wants you to raise His child(ren) in your custody.

Furthermore, don’t be tempted to own the child(ren) God has put in your care. Always involve Him in your decisions concerning His child(ren), and He will help you to raise them to fulfil His purpose for their lives, in Jesus’ name.

KEY POINT:

Parents must let God guide them in how to raise the children He has entrusted to their care.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Psalms 69-72

Open Heavens HYMN 33: GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH!

OPEN HEAVEN DEVOTIONAL 17 JUNE 2026 COMMENTARY

MEMORISE: Psalm 127:3

“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.”

This verse establishes the divine ownership of children. Daddy Adeboye anchors today’s devotional on this text because it corrects a fundamental misunderstanding among parents. The word “heritage” (or “inheritance”) indicates something given in trust, not something owned outright. Children are not possessions; they are a sacred trust from God. They are “His reward”—meaning God is the giver, and He remains the ultimate owner. Parents are stewards, caretakers, and guardians, but never owners. Every parent who forgets this will raise their children according to their own wisdom rather than God’s purpose.

BIBLE READING: Judges 13:6-14

This passage tells the story of the angelic announcement of Samson’s birth. Manoah and his wife were barren, but God sent an angel to tell them they would have a son. When Manoah heard this, he did not assume he knew how to raise the child. Instead, he asked a crucial question: “How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him?” (Judges 13:12). The angel gave specific instructions: the mother must not drink wine or strong drink, eat anything unclean, or cut the child’s hair. Daddy Adeboye uses this to show that God has customized instructions for every child. Parents who do not seek those instructions will raise their children in their own limited understanding rather than God’s perfect plan.

Daddy Adeboye’s Testimony: The Son Who Would Not Heal

1. The Family’s Prayer Habit

Daddy Adeboye shares a powerful personal testimony about his own child:

“Many years ago, when my children were still little, one of them fell terribly ill. We had already made Jesus our Great Physician, so whenever anyone fell sick in our family, we would simply pray, and God would heal the fellow.”

This was the family’s established pattern. Prayer was their first resort, not their last. Daddy Adeboye had seen God heal repeatedly. He expected the same result.

“In this instance, however, I prayed to God, worshipped Him, and did everything I knew to do for the boy’s health to be restored, but he did not get better.”

Daddy Adeboye did everything he knew. He prayed. He worshipped. He used all the spiritual tools that had worked before. But the boy remained sick.

2. The Lord’s Correction

“In my frustration, I asked, ‘Lord, why have You refused to heal my son?’ and God responded, ‘He is your son; why don’t you heal him yourself?’”

This response is stunning. God was not refusing to heal. God was pointing out a fundamental error in Daddy Adeboye’s thinking: ownership.

Daddy Adeboye’s Words	God’s Correction
“My son” (possession, ownership)	“He is your son” (acknowledging the claim of ownership)
“Why have You refused to heal my son?”	“Why don’t you heal him yourself?” (If he is yours, the responsibility is yours)

“I immediately realised my mistake and said, ‘I’m sorry, Lord, he is Your son; please heal Your son.’ Within an hour, the boy was back on his feet, playing around.”

The moment Daddy Adeboye corrected his confession—from “my son” to “Your son”—the healing came. Within one hour. This is not magic; it is alignment with divine truth. God heals His own children. When you acknowledge that your children belong to Him, He takes full responsibility for them.

The Parent as Caretaker, Not Owner

1. The Biblical Foundation (Psalm 127:3)

“Parents do not own their children; they are only caretakers. Children are gifts from God, so the owner of children is God Himself; therefore, they are to be taken care of according to His will.”

Wrong Mindset (Owner)	Right Mindset (Caretaker)
“This is my child, I will raise them my way”	“This is God’s child, entrusted to me for a season”
“I know what is best for my child”	“God knows what is best; I must seek His instructions”
“My child, my rules, my plans”	“God’s child, God’s rules, God’s plans”
Anxiety about the child’s future	Trust in the true Owner’s faithfulness

“Parents who fail to realise that their children belong to God will tend to raise them contrary to His plan.”

This is the tragedy of modern parenting. Believing they own their children, parents make decisions based on culture, convenience, ambition, or fear—entirely missing God’s customized plan for that specific child.

2. Manoah’s Model Question (Judges 13:12)

“Manoah understood that the child they were about to give birth to was from God and belonged to Him. He knew that he was limited as a person in knowing the best way to teach and nurture the child.”

Manoah’s Humility	The Common Parental Error
“I don’t know how to raise this child properly”	“I know what’s best for my child”
“God, You give the instructions”	“Culture, peers, and my parents will guide me”
The child belongs to God, so God’s plan matters most	The child is mine, so my plan matters most

“After asking the crucial question above, the angel gave him and his wife specific instructions on what to avoid during her pregnancy and how to raise the child after birth.”

God answered Manoah. God will answer you. But you must ask the question: “Lord, how shall I order this child?”

Every Child Has Customised Instructions

1. No Cookie-Cutter Parenting

“Parents should not lean on their understanding when raising children. They should not try to raise the children God has committed into their care the way others are doing it, because He has customised instructions for raising every child.”

What Works for One Child	What Another Child Needs
Strict discipline	Gentle guidance
Academic pressure	Vocational encouragement
Early independence	Extended nurturing
Public school	Homeschool or Christian school
Many extracurriculars	Focused development of one gift

“If you are a parent, ask God to show you how He wants you to raise His child(ren) in your custody.”

This is not a suggestion; it is a command. Parenting without divine consultation is parenting in the dark. You cannot raise a child for a destiny you do not know.

2. What Customised Instructions May Include

Based on Manoah’s experience and Scripture, God’s instructions for raising a child may involve:

Area	Possible Divine Instruction
Spiritual	“Set this child apart from birth; do not let them follow worldly patterns”
Educational	“This child needs a different school, a different approach, or a different timing”
Social	“Protect this child from certain friendships; expose them to certain mentors”
Vocational	“This child is not for medicine/law/business; I have another path”
Discipline	“Do not break this child’s spirit; do not be too lenient; find the balance”

Practical Steps for Raising God-Owned Children

Based on Daddy Adeboye’s teaching and Manoah’s example, here is how to parent as a caretaker:

1. Change Your Confession

Stop saying “my child” as if you are the owner. Say:

• “The child God has entrusted to me”
• “God’s child in my care”
• “The heritage of the Lord”

Your confession shapes your mentality. When you speak of your children as God’s property, you will treat them as God’s property.

2. Ask the Crucial Question

Daddy Adeboye instructs:

“Always involve Him in your decisions concerning His child(ren).”

For every major decision (and many minor ones), ask God:

• “How shall I discipline this child?”
• “What school should they attend?”
• “What friends should I encourage or discourage?”
• “What gifts are hidden in them that I need to develop?”
• “What battles should I fight for them, and what battles should they fight themselves?”

3. Receive Specific Instructions

Do not settle for general principles. Manoah did not ask for general parenting advice. He asked for specific instructions for this child. God gave them. Expect the same.

How God May Speak	Examples
Through Scripture	A verse that leaps off the page about parenting
Through the Holy Spirit	An inner conviction or peace about a direction
Through godly counsel	A pastor, elder, or experienced parent who speaks wisdom
Through circumstances	Doors opening or closing that confirm a path

4. Follow the Instructions Even When They Don’t Make Sense

The angel’s instructions to Manoah included things that seemed unusual (no razor on the child’s head, no wine for the mother during pregnancy). Similarly, God’s instructions for your child may not align with what other parents are doing. Obey anyway.

5. Trust the True Owner with the Results

When you acknowledge that your children belong to God, your anxiety decreases. You are not ultimately responsible for how they turn out—God is. You are responsible for obedience; He is responsible for the outcome.

Warning: The Danger of Owning Your Children

Daddy Adeboye’s testimony contains an implicit warning:

If You Act Like the Owner	Consequences
You raise them according to your wisdom, not God’s	They may miss their destiny
You carry burdens you were never meant to carry	Anxiety, frustration, burnout
You pray with wrong assumptions	Prayers go unanswered (as Daddy Adeboye’s healing prayer was initially unanswered)
You will be held accountable for misusing God’s property	“Who then is the faithful and wise steward?” (Luke 12:42)

“Don’t be tempted to own the child(ren) God has put in your care.”

The temptation is strong. You carried them, birthed them, fed them, sacrificed for them. It feels like they are yours. But the feeling is deceit. They are His. He just let you borrow them for a time.

Additional Principles for Raising God’s Children

1. Dedicate Them Back to God

Like Hannah dedicated Samuel (1 Samuel 1:27-28), publicly and privately declare: “Lord, this child is Yours. I am only a caretaker.”

2. Pray for Them Specifically

Do not pray generic prayers: “Lord, bless my child.” Pray: “Lord, show me how to raise this specific child. Reveal their purpose. Protect Your plan for their life.”

3. Correct Your Confession When You Slip

Every time you catch yourself saying “my child” with a sense of ownership, stop and correct it: “Lord, I mean Your child whom You have entrusted to me.”

4. Involve God in the Small Things

Manoah asked about ordering the child before the child was born. Do not wait for crises. Involve God in daily decisions: bedtimes, screen limits, friendships, discipline.

5. Release Them When the Time Comes

One day, God may call His child away from your home—to another city, another country, another vocation, or even to Himself in death. Because they are His, you must release them without bitterness.

Conclusion: Your Prayer for God’s Children in Your Care

Daddy Adeboye closes with a prayer that God will help you raise His children to fulfill His purpose. Pray this prayer over every child in your care.

Pray this:

“Father, I thank You for the precious children You have entrusted to me. Forgive me for the times I have acted as if they belong to me—making decisions without consulting You, carrying burdens You never gave me, and forgetting that they are Yours first. Today, I repent. I acknowledge that these children are Your heritage, not my possessions. I ask You the question Manoah asked: ‘How shall I order this child? How shall I do unto them?’ Give me customized instructions for each one. Show me how to discipline, educate, nurture, and release them for Your purpose. I will not lean on my understanding. I will not raise them the way the world raises children. I will follow Your instructions, even when they seem unusual. And I trust You, the true Owner, with their future. In Jesus’ mighty name.”

Action Steps:

1. The Ownership Audit: Examine your heart. Do you secretly think of your children as your property? Write down the areas where you have made decisions without consulting God. Confess the sin of ownership.
2. The Manoah Question: Set aside one hour this week to pray specifically for each child (or future child) in your care. Ask God: “How shall I order this child?” Write down whatever impression, Scripture, or instruction comes to mind. Act on it.
3. The Confession Change: For the next 30 days, deliberately refer to your children as “God’s child in my care” rather than “my child.” Let your words retrain your heart.

“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” (Psalm 127:3)
You are not the owner; you are the caretaker. Ask God for His instructions. Raise His children for His purpose. And watch Him take full responsibility for His own.

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Read RCCG Open Heaven Devotional for Tomorrow

Download Open Heaven 17 June 2026 Devotional PDF

The Open Heaven 16 June 2026 devotional for today is THE LIVING DEAD.

This is a daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

• Read: RCCG Open Heaven 15 June 2026 Devotional

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OPEN HEAVEN 16 JUNE 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL

TOPIC: THE LIVING DEAD

MEMORISE:

I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Psalm 16:8

READ: 1 Corinthians 11:24-26

²⁴ And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
²⁵ After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
²⁶ For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

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RCCG OPEN HEAVEN 16 JUNE 2026 TODAY MESSAGE

In John 6:53, Jesus Christ said that only those who partake of His flesh and blood will have life in them. This implies that anyone who does not accept Him as his or her Lord and Saviour is as good as dead.

Such people may seem to be alive, but really, there is no life in them, and it would be correct to refer to them as the ‘living dead’.

As we see in today’s Bible reading, Jesus Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper, also known as the Holy Communion, to illustrate the eating of His flesh and drinking of His blood. He shared bread and wine with His disciples that night, describing it as the new covenant in His blood. Partaking of the flesh and blood of Jesus gives us life as Christians, and this is why the Holy Communion is such a powerful meal.

The Lord Jesus also commanded His disciples to continue having the meal in remembrance of Him until His return. So, as often as we believers partake of the Holy Communion, we bring the sacrifice of our Lord and Saviour to remembrance.

This has several benefits for us believers, one of which is that it helps us to keep Him before us at all times. This means that as a believer, when Christ is always before you, satan has no chance to attack you.

As we see in today’s memory verse, David said that he had set the Lord always before him, and because He was at his right hand, he would not be moved. This was the confidence David had that nothing could shake him since the Lord was always before him. When you partake of the Holy Communion often and worthily, you will be secured from evil and surrounded by favour because the Lord will always be before you.

Apart from those who do not partake of the flesh and blood of Jesus, those who do so while wallowing in sin can also be referred to as the ‘living dead. This is because, as they partake of the Holy Communion, God is right before them, and they incur His wrath because they are living in sin.

This can also make such persons sickly and even cost them their lives (1 Corinthians 11:29-30).

Beloved, don’t be among the ‘living dead’. Accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour if you haven’t, stay away from sin, and always make the best of the privilege to sit at the Lord’s table as often as you can.

KEY POINT:

Those who reject the sacrifice of Jesus are the living dead.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Psalms 62-68

Open Heavens Hymn: All to Jesus, I surrender

OPEN HEAVEN DEVOTIONAL 16 JUNE 2026 COMMENTARY

MEMORISE: Psalm 16:8

“I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.”

The word “always” means continuously, unceasingly, without interruption. David was not a man who thought about God only in the temple or only in crisis. He had cultivated a lifestyle of constant awareness of God’s presence. Because the Lord was at his right hand (the position of power, advocacy, and protection), David could declare with confidence: “I shall not be moved.” The Holy Communion, Daddy Adeboye explains, is a divinely ordained tool to help believers maintain this constant awareness of Christ.

BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 11:24-26

“And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.”

This passage records the institution of the Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion). Jesus took bread, broke it, and called it His body. He took the cup, called it His blood, the new covenant. Then He gave a command: “This do in remembrance of me.” The word “remembrance” is not mere mental recall. It is a re-presentation, a making present of the power of His sacrifice.

The Living Dead: Those Without Christ

1. Jesus’ Shocking Statement (John 6:53)

Daddy Adeboye begins with a startling declaration from Jesus:

“In John 6:53, Jesus Christ said that only those who partake of His flesh and blood will have life in them. This implies that anyone who does not accept Him as his or her Lord and Saviour is as good as dead.”

John 6:53 – “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.”

The Unbeliever’s Condition	Description
Physically alive	Breathing, walking, talking, functioning
Spiritually dead	Separated from God, no eternal life
The “living dead”	Alive in body, dead in soul

“Such people may seem to be alive, but really, there is no life in them, and it would be correct to refer to them as the ‘living dead’.”

This is a sobering designation. The world looks at an unbeliever and sees a vibrant, active human being. God looks at the same person and sees a corpse—walking, talking, but dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1). The only remedy is partaking of Christ’s flesh and blood, which happens first through faith (accepting His sacrifice) and then through the Holy Communion.

2. The Holy Communion: The Meal of Life

“Partaking of the flesh and blood of Jesus gives us life as Christians, and this is why the Holy Communion is such a powerful meal.”

Element	Symbolism	Spiritual Reality
Bread	Body of Jesus	Broken for our healing, wholeness, and life
Wine (cup)	Blood of Jesus	Shed for the forgiveness of sins, new covenant

The Holy Communion is not a mere memorial service. It is not a sad ritual or a religious obligation. It is a life-giving meal. When you partake worthily, you are not just remembering something that happened 2,000 years ago. You are spiritually feeding on Christ, and His life flows into you.

The Command: Remember Until He Comes

1. The Purpose of the Communion

“The Lord Jesus also commanded His disciples to continue having the meal in remembrance of Him until His return.”

The Communion serves multiple purposes:

Purpose	Explanation
Remembrance	We consciously recall Christ’s sacrifice, preventing it from becoming distant or abstract
Proclamation	We “show the Lord’s death till he come” – the Communion is a visible sermon to the world and to the spiritual realm
Anticipation	We look forward to His return, when we will feast with Him in the kingdom
Communion	We fellowship with Christ and with other believers around His table

2. How Communion Keeps Christ Before You

“One of [the benefits] is that it helps us to keep Him before us at all times. This means that as a believer, when Christ is always before you, satan has no chance to attack you.”

Daddy Adeboye connects the Holy Communion directly to the memory verse:

“David said that he had set the Lord always before him, and because He was at his right hand, he would not be moved. This was the confidence David had that nothing could shake him since the Lord was always before him.”

Without Christ Before You	With Christ Before You
Satan has opportunities to attack	Satan has no chance (the Lord is your shield)
You are easily moved by circumstances	You shall not be moved (stable, grounded)
Fear and anxiety dominate	Confidence and peace reign
You forget God’s faithfulness	You constantly remember His sacrifice

“When you partake of the Holy Communion often and worthily, you will be secured from evil and surrounded by favour because the Lord will always be before you.”

Notice the phrase “often and worthily.” Frequency matters. The early church broke bread daily (Acts 2:46). The Communion is not just for Easter, Christmas, or monthly memorial services. It is a frequent, even regular, means of grace.

The Danger: Partaking Unworthily (The Other Living Dead)

1. The Wrath of God on Sinful Partakers

Daddy Adeboye issues a second warning:

“Apart from those who do not partake of the flesh and blood of Jesus, those who do so while wallowing in sin can also be referred to as the ‘living dead.’ This is because, as they partake of the Holy Communion, God is right before them, and they incur His wrath because they are living in sin.”

There are two categories of “living dead”:

Category	Description	Consequence
The unbeliever	Never accepted Christ; spiritually dead	No life in them; condemned already (John 3:18)
The unworthy partaker	Believes but lives in unrepentant sin; takes Communion casually	Eats and drinks judgment; incurs God’s wrath

*”This can also make such persons sickly and even cost them their lives (1 Corinthians 11:29-30).”*

1 Corinthians 11:29-30 – “For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.”

This is a terrifying passage. Paul says that because some Corinthians were partaking of the Communion without examining themselves, without discerning the Lord’s body, the consequences were:

• Weakness (spiritual and physical)
• Sickness (illness as divine discipline)
• Sleep (death)

The Communion is powerful—for blessing or for judgment. Approached rightly, it brings life, health, and protection. Approached casually, with unconfessed sin, it brings sickness and even death.

2. What It Means to Partake Worthily

Daddy Adeboye implies the conditions for worthy partaking:

Requirement	Scriptural Basis
Self-examination	“Let a man examine himself” (1 Corinthians 11:28)
Discerning the Lord’s body	Recognizing the significance of what you are receiving
Repentance from known sin	Not “wallowing in sin” while partaking
Forgiveness of others	Holding grudges makes your partaking unacceptable (Matthew 5:23-24)
Faith in Christ’s sacrifice	Trusting that His body was broken and His blood shed for you

The Benefits of Frequent, Worthily Partaking

Based on Daddy Adeboye’s teaching and Scripture, here are the benefits of the Holy Communion:

Benefit	Explanation
Life	“He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life” (John 6:54)
Protection from Satan	With Christ always before you, the enemy has no opening
Immovable stability	“I shall not be moved” (Psalm 16:8)
Favor	Surrounded by God’s favor
Healing	“The bread that we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 10:16) – healing flows from His broken body
Remission of sins	“This is my blood… shed for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28)
Union with Christ	Abiding in Him and He in you (John 6:56)

How to Partake Worthily (Practical Steps)

Based on Daddy Adeboye’s teaching, here is how to approach the Lord’s Table:

1. Examine Your Heart: Before taking the Communion, pause. Ask the Holy Spirit: Is there any unconfessed sin in my life? Is there anyone I have not forgiven? If yes, confess and repent.
2. Discern the Lord’s Body: Do not treat the bread and cup as ordinary food. Recognize that you are receiving the broken body and shed blood of Jesus Christ. Approach with reverence, not routine.
3. Partake Often: The early church broke bread daily (Acts 2:46). Do not limit Communion to special occasions. If your church offers it weekly, take it weekly. If you can partake in your home devotionally (with proper understanding), do so.
4. Partake in Faith: Do not doubt. Believe that as you eat the bread and drink the cup, you are receiving:
   • Forgiveness for sin
   • Healing for your body
   • Protection from the enemy
   • Life more abundantly
5. Live a Repentant Life: Worthily partaking is not about perfection but about posture. If you are living in deliberate, unrepentant sin, do not approach the table until you have repented. Better to miss Communion than to eat and drink judgment.

Warning: Do Not Be Among the Living Dead

Daddy Adeboye closes with a solemn appeal:

*”Beloved, don’t be among the ‘living dead’. Accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour if you haven’t, stay away from sin, and always make the best of the privilege to sit at the Lord’s table as often as you can.”|

If You Are…	Your Call to Action
Unbeliever (never accepted Christ)	Accept Jesus today. Without Him, you have no life. The Communion cannot help you until you are first united to Christ by faith.
Believer living in unrepentant sin	Repent today. Stop wallowing. Examine yourself. Come back to the table with a clean heart.
Believer who rarely partakes	Make the best of this privilege. Sit at the Lord’s table often. Let the Communion keep Christ always before you.

Conclusion: Your Prayer for a Worthy Partaking

Daddy Adeboye closes with the call to accept Christ, stay away from sin, and partake often. Pray this prayer as you prepare your heart for the Lord’s Table.

Pray this:

“Lord Jesus, I thank You for the precious gift of Your body and blood. Forgive me for the times I have taken the Holy Communion lightly, without discerning Your sacrifice. Forgive me for partaking while sin was still in my heart. Today, I examine myself. I confess every sin. I forgive everyone who has wronged me. I set You always before me. As I partake of this bread and cup, let Your life flow into me. Let Your healing touch my body. Let Your protection surround me. Let Your favor be my portion. I refuse to be among the living dead—spiritually alive but living in sin. I will not be moved because You are at my right hand. In Your precious name, Amen.”

Action Steps:

1. The Pre-Communion Examination: Before your next Communion service (or before you take it at home), spend 10 minutes in silence. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any unconfessed sin. Write it down. Confess it. Destroy the paper.
2. The Frequent Partaking Commitment: Commit to partaking of the Holy Communion at least weekly. If your church does not offer it that often, consider setting aside time each week at home (with proper understanding and reverence) to take the bread and cup.
3. The “Set the Lord Always Before You” Practice: Each morning, before you check your phone or begin your day, say aloud: “I set the Lord always before me. He is at my right hand. I shall not be moved.” Let this become your daily declaration.

“I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.”(Psalm 16:8)
Do not be among the living dead. Accept Christ. Stay away from sin. Partake worthily. Keep the Lord always before you. You shall not be moved.

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Read RCCG Open Heaven Devotional for Tomorrow

Download Open Heaven 16 June 2026 Devotional PDF

The Open Heaven 15 June 2026 devotional for today is BE RICH IN GOOD WORKS.

This is a daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

• Read: RCCG Open Heaven 14 June 2026 Devotional

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OPEN HEAVEN 15 JUNE 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL

TOPIC: BE RICH IN GOOD WORKS

MEMORISE:

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10

READ: 1 Timothy 6:17-19

¹⁷ Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
¹⁸ That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
¹⁹ Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

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RCCG OPEN HEAVEN 15 JUNE 2026 TODAY MESSAGE

I once spent the night in the house of a wealthy man, and he invited me to stay for breakfast. When I got to the dining table, I was presented with a variety of dishes to choose from. There were so many options that I became overwhelmed and began to long for the simplicity of the meals in my house.

Beloved, I have spent a little over 80 years in this world, and I have realised that it takes really simple things to truly enjoy life. It is good to be wealthy; however, if people make their material possessions the focus of their lives to the extent that even regular things in their lives become complicated, it can lead to depression.

In today’s Bible reading, Paul urged Timothy to tell those who were rich in the church he was overseeing not to be high-minded but to be rich in good works.

God doesn’t give people wealth so they can flaunt it; He blesses people with wealth so they can be good stewards of His resources. Any fellow who hoards what God has given him or her will not enjoy happiness because it is always more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).

God wants His children to be rich in good works. He wants them to be like the women in Luke 8:2-3 who used their resources to minister to Jesus and advance His earthly ministry. The blessings that God has given to you should be used to bless others.

No matter how big your house is, you cannot sleep in all the rooms in it at the same time. No matter how rich you are, it will be foolish to wash your hands with oil instead of water because you will only be causing trouble for yourself. Life is simple; it should not be complicated in the process of trying to flaunt wealth. Many people have fallen into a state of depression because they allowed their wealth to distract them from the simplicity of life.

Beloved, the only way the wealth God blesses you with can truly make you happy is when you are rich in good works like feeding the poor, supporting missionaries on mission fields, building churches, and expanding God’s kingdom in whatever way you can. Therefore, rather than spending your money on the most expensive things you can get, use it to make an impact for God’s kingdom in the world.

REFLECTION:

Are you rich in good works?

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Psalms 56-61

Open Heavens HYMN 59: I WANT TO BE LIKE JESUS

OPEN HEAVEN DEVOTIONAL 15 JUNE 2026 COMMENTARY

MEMORISE: Ephesians 2:10

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

The word “workmanship” (Greek poiema) means a masterpiece, a work of art. You are God’s masterpiece—not created for selfish accumulation, but “unto good works.” God has already prepared specific good works for you to walk in. Wealth, therefore, is not an end in itself. It is fuel for the good works God designed you to do. When you use your resources for His purposes, you become what you were always meant to be.

BIBLE READING: 1 Timothy 6:17-19

“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”

Daddy Adeboye uses this text to show that wealth is a stewardship, not an ownership. What you give away is what you store up for eternity.

The Simplicity of True Enjoyment

1. Daddy Adeboye’s Breakfast Testimony

Daddy Adeboye shares a revealing personal experience:

“I once spent the night in the house of a wealthy man, and he invited me to stay for breakfast. When I got to the dining table, I was presented with a variety of dishes to choose from. There were so many options that I became overwhelmed and began to long for the simplicity of the meals in my house.”

This is a striking admission from a man who leads one of the largest church denominations in the world. With access to anything, he found himself longing for simplicity.

The Wealthy Man’s Table	Daddy Adeboye’s Response
Overwhelming variety	Became overwhelmed
Many options, complicated choices	Longed for simplicity
Extravagant display	Missed the simple meals at home

“I have spent a little over 80 years in this world, and I have realised that it takes really simple things to truly enjoy life.”

This is wisdom from a lifetime of experience. Joy is not found in complexity, excess, or ostentation. Joy is found in simple things: a peaceful meal, a quiet home, meaningful relationships, and a clear conscience before God.

2. When Wealth Complicates Instead of Simplifies

Daddy Adeboye warns:

“It is good to be wealthy; however, if people make their material possessions the focus of their lives to the extent that even regular things in their lives become complicated, it can lead to depression.”

Simple Life	Complicated Life (Wealth-Focused)
One meal, enjoyed gratefully	So many options, decision fatigue
A modest home, peaceful	A mansion, stressful to maintain
Enough clothes, functional	A closet full, nothing to wear
Basic transportation, reliable	Multiple luxury cars, constant worry about damage
Time for family and God	Time consumed by managing possessions

“No matter how big your house is, you cannot sleep in all the rooms in it at the same time. No matter how rich you are, it will be foolish to wash your hands with oil instead of water because you will only be causing trouble for yourself.”

This is a powerful image. Oil is valuable. Water is common. Using oil to wash your hands is not a sign of wealth—it is a sign of foolishness. Wealth becomes destructive when it is used for what it was never intended. The purpose of oil is not hand-washing. The purpose of wealth is not self-glorification.

The Purpose of Wealth: Good Works, Not Flaunting

1. God’s Intent for Wealth

“God doesn’t give people wealth so they can flaunt it; He blesses people with wealth so they can be good stewards of His resources.”

Wrong Use of Wealth	Right Use of Wealth
Flaunting (showing off)	Stewarding (managing for the Owner)
Hoarding (keeping it all)	Distributing (sharing generously)
Self-indulgence (pleasing yourself)	Good works (serving others and God)
Building a personal empire	Building God’s kingdom

“Any fellow who hoards what God has given him or her will not enjoy happiness because it is always more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).”

Acts 20:35 – “Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Notice: Jesus did not say it is more profitable to give than to receive (though it is). He said it is more blessed. The blessing is not just financial—it is joy, fulfillment, peace, and the smile of God. Hoarders are miserable because they were made to give. You cannot frustrate your design and expect happiness.

2. The Women of Luke 8:2-3

Daddy Adeboye points to a beautiful example:

“He wants them to be like the women in Luke 8:2-3 who used their resources to minister to Jesus and advance His earthly ministry.”

Luke 8:2-3 – “And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities… Mary called Magdalene… and Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.”

These women:

• Had been transformed by Jesus (healed, delivered)
• Used their wealth to support Jesus’ ministry
• Did not wait for a building fund or a formal offering
• Ministered to Jesus of their substance (their own resources)

The Women’s Example	Modern Application
They gave to support Jesus’ earthly work	Give to support gospel preachers, missionaries, and church work
They gave consistently, not once	Be a regular, faithful giver
They gave from what they had	Give proportionally; everyone can give something
They gave without seeking spotlight	Give quietly, for God’s glory, not human praise

The Warning: Wealth Without Good Works Leads to Depression

Daddy Adeboye makes a startling connection between wealth and mental health:

“Many people have fallen into a state of depression because they allowed their wealth to distract them from the simplicity of life.”

How does wealth lead to depression?

The Progression	Explanation
1. Wealth increases	More money, more possessions, more options
2. Focus shifts	From God, family, and simple joys to managing, protecting, and displaying wealth
3. Complexity multiplies	More decisions, more stress, more worry
4. Isolation grows	Wealth can create distance from others; fear of being used for money
5. Purpose vanishes	“What am I living for?” becomes a haunting question
6. Depression sets in	The soul was made for more than accumulation

“Life is simple; it should not be complicated in the process of trying to flaunt wealth.”

The rich man’s breakfast table overwhelmed Daddy Adeboye. That is the irony: the very wealth meant to provide abundance ended up producing anxiety. The man with ten cars cannot decide which to drive. The woman with a hundred dresses has nothing to wear. The millionaire with multiple homes is exhausted from maintaining them. This is not blessing; this is bondage.

How to Be Rich in Good Works (Practical Steps)

Based on Daddy Adeboye’s teaching and 1 Timothy 6:17-19, here is how to use wealth for true happiness:

1. Be “Ready to Distribute”

“That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate.”

Action	Meaning	Practical Application
Ready to distribute	Immediate, not delayed generosity	When a need arises, give quickly; do not procrastinate
Willing to communicate (share)	Cheerful, not reluctant	Give with joy, not grudgingly (2 Corinthians 9:7)

2. Feed the Poor

“The only way the wealth God blesses you with can truly make you happy is when you are rich in good works like feeding the poor…”

Proverbs 19:17 – “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”

When you feed the poor, you are not losing money; you are lending to God. And God is the best debtor.

3. Support Missionaries

“…supporting missionaries on mission fields…”

Missionaries leave comfort, family, and security to preach the gospel. Your wealth can send them, sustain them, and expand the reach of the kingdom. Every dollar given to missions is an investment in eternity.

4. Build Churches and Expand the Kingdom

“…building churches, and expanding God’s kingdom in whatever way you can.”

This includes:

• Supporting local church infrastructure
• Funding evangelistic outreaches
• Sponsoring Bible translation and distribution
• Supporting Christian education and media

“Rather than spending your money on the most expensive things you can get, use it to make an impact for God’s kingdom in the world.”

The Eternal Perspective: Laying Up Treasure in Heaven

Paul concludes the 1 Timothy 6 passage with an eternal promise:

“Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” (1 Timothy 6:19)

Earthly Treasure	Eternal Treasure
Rusts, decays, gets stolen	Never fades, perfectly secure (Matthew 6:19-20)
Stays on earth when you die	Greets you in heaven
Brings temporary comfort	Brings eternal reward
Can be taken by others	Cannot be taken
Is spent and gone	Is stored up forever

Every time you give to God’s work, you are not losing wealth. You are transferring it to an account that never crashes, never devalues, and never closes.

The Simplicity of a Generous Life

Daddy Adeboye’s message is profoundly simple: life is simple. Enjoy simple things. Use wealth for good works. Give generously. Be happy.

If You Hoard Wealth	If You Give Generously
You become complicated and anxious	You become simple and peaceful
You fear losing what you have	You trust God to provide more
You isolate yourself	You connect with others through generosity
You risk depression	You experience the joy of giving
You build temporary comfort	You lay up eternal treasure

Warning: Do Not Let Wealth Complicate Your Life

Daddy Adeboye’s warning is clear: wealth is not the problem. Making wealth the focus of your life is the problem. When you flaunt wealth, you:

• Alienate others who have less
• Invite envy and predators
• Complicate the simple pleasures of life
• Risk your mental health through stress and anxiety
• Distract yourself from your true purpose

“Life is simple; it should not be complicated in the process of trying to flaunt wealth.”

Conclusion: Your Prayer for Generosity and Simplicity

Daddy Adeboye closes with the call to use wealth for kingdom impact. Pray this prayer with a heart ready to give.

Pray this:

“Father, I thank You for every resource You have entrusted to me. Forgive me for the times I have flaunted what You gave me, or hoarded what was meant to be shared. Forgive me for complicating my life with the pursuit of more when You have already given me enough. Today, I choose simplicity. I choose generosity. I choose to be rich in good works—feeding the poor, supporting missionaries, building Your church, and expanding Your kingdom. Take my money. Take my possessions. Use them for Your glory. I do not want to lay up treasure on earth that will not last. I want to lay up treasure in heaven that will greet me on the other side. Make me a cheerful giver, a ready distributor, and a faithful steward. In Jesus’ mighty name.”

Action Steps:

1. The Simplicity Audit: Look at your life. Where has wealth (or the pursuit of it) made things unnecessarily complicated? Identify one area of complexity and simplify it this week (sell an unused possession, cancel an unnecessary subscription, reduce your options).
2. The Good Works Plan: List three specific “good works” you can fund or participate in this month: feeding the poor, supporting a missionary, giving to a church project. Set aside a specific amount for each. Do not delay.
3. The Generosity Test: The next time you receive income (salary, gift, blessing), before you spend anything on yourself, give something away. Let generosity be your first reflex, not your last resort.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)
You are God’s masterpiece, created for good works. Wealth is your tool, not your treasure. Give generously. Live simply. Lay up eternal wealth. Be rich in good works.

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The Open Heaven 13 June 2026 devotional for today is POVERTY ≠GODLINESS.

This is a daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

• Read: RCCG Open Heaven 12 June 2026 Devotional

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OPEN HEAVEN 13 JUNE 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL

TOPIC: POVERTY ≠GODLINESS

MEMORISE:

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
3 John 2

READ: 2 Kings 4:1-7

¹ Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.
² And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.
³ Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.
⁴ And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.

⁵ So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.
⁶ And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.
⁷ Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.

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RCCG OPEN HEAVEN 13 JUNE 2026 TODAY MESSAGE

In the 70s, when I became born again, it was widely believed among Christians that poverty is one of the criteria for being a true child of God.

This belief was so strong that when someone gifted me a Mercedes-Benz, I parked it in my garage unused for months until the Lord told me I was hindering the blessings of the person who gave me the car by not using it. I was afraid that people would think I had backslidden if they saw me in such an expensive car.

Because of what the Lord had said to me, I decided to drive the car just once, and l recall that I felt so ashamed that day. After that day, I said, “Lord, I have driven the car, can I sell it now?” He agreed, and I sold it.

Not long after that, someone gave me a limousine with six doors. When I saw it, I said, “Lord, you know that even if they put my dead body in this car, it will jump out of it.”

That is how much we thought that poverty was directly proportional to godliness in those days, and because of that, the devil cheated us. He raised people to take over companies and industries until Christians were at the mercy of evil people running different economies around the world.

There is nothing godly about poverty; it has sent many people to hell, just as riches have done.

Poverty has made many youths decide never to follow the path of their Christian parents because of how badly they suffered while growing up. It has made the people of the world mock the Almighty God because they thought that Christians were dumb as a result of their devotion to God.

In today’s Bible reading, one of Elisha’s proteges died in poverty and left an inheritance of debt for his family. If his wife had not run to Elisha and received the word of the Lord that turned their poverty to wealth, his two sons, who were facing a lifetime of slavery, could have grown up hating God even though their father was a godly man.

God is not poor (Haggai 2:8), so poverty is not godliness. God gives his children power to make wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18), and it is His desire to prosper them even as their soul prospers (3 John 1:2). Beloved, reject poverty! It is not the will of God for your life.

KEY POINT

There is nothing godly about poverty.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Psalms 43-49

Open Heavens HYMN 52: THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS

OPEN HEAVEN DEVOTIONAL 13 JUNE 2026 COMMENTARY

MEMORISE: 3 John 2

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”

This verse is the Apostle John’s prayer for Gaius, and Daddy Adeboye anchors today’s devotional on it because it reveals God’s heart for His children. The phrase “above all things” indicates priority—prosperity and health are not secondary or optional blessings; they are God’s revealed desire for believers. However, the verse contains a crucial condition: “even as thy soul prospereth.” Prosperity is not detached from spiritual health. When your soul prospers (in knowledge of God, obedience, and character), the material prosperity that follows will not destroy you. But poverty, Daddy Adeboye argues, is not a mark of holiness—it is a thief that has robbed Christians of their inheritance.

BIBLE READING: 2 Kings 4:1-7

This is the story of the widow of a son of the prophets. Her husband died, leaving behind massive debt. The creditor was coming to take her two sons as slaves. She had nothing but a pot of oil. Elisha instructed her to borrow empty vessels from her neighbors, shut the door, and pour the oil. The oil flowed until every vessel was full. She sold the oil, paid the debt, and lived on the remainder. This miracle is Daddy Adeboye’s central text: a godly man (one of Elisha’s proteges) died in poverty, leaving his family destitute. If God had not intervened, his sons would have grown up hating God because of the suffering they endured.

The Lie of Poverty as Godliness

1. The Theological Error of Daddy Adeboye’s Generation

Daddy Adeboye shares a startling personal testimony:

“In the 70s, when I became born again, it was widely believed among Christians that poverty is one of the criteria for being a true child of God.”

This belief was not limited to a fringe group—it was widespread. Christians genuinely thought that being poor made them more holy, more humble, more like Jesus.

The False Belief	The Scriptural Reality
Poverty equals piety	“The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof” (Psalm 24:1)
Riches are inherently sinful	Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Solomon, and Job were all wealthy
Jesus was poor, so we must be poor	Jesus had a treasurer (Judas) and was anointed with expensive perfume
God wants His children struggling	“I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper” (3 John 2)

“That is how much we thought that poverty was directly proportional to godliness in those days, and because of that, the devil cheated us. He raised people to take over companies and industries until Christians were at the mercy of evil people running different economies around the world.”

This is a profound historical insight. While Christians were avoiding wealth as “unholy,” unbelievers seized economic power. By the time Christians realized their error, they had become dependent on the very systems run by those who did not fear God.

2. Daddy Adeboye’s Mercedes-Benz Testimony

The personal story is both humorous and convicting:

“When someone gifted me a Mercedes-Benz, I parked it in my garage unused for months until the Lord told me I was hindering the blessings of the person who gave me the car by not using it. I was afraid that people would think I had backslidden if they saw me in such an expensive car.”

Notice the layers:

• The gift: A Mercedes-Benz (luxury, expensive, prestigious)
• The reaction: Parked it unused for months (fear of man’s opinion)
• God’s correction: “You are hindering the blessing of the giver”
• The reluctant obedience: Drove it once, felt ashamed
• The compromise: “Lord, can I sell it now?” (God agreed)

Then came the limousine:

“Not long after that, someone gave me a limousine with six doors. When I saw it, I said, ‘Lord, you know that even if they put my dead body in this car, it will jump out of it.’”

Daddy Adeboye’s honesty is refreshing. He admits that even after God corrected him, his internal programming against wealth was so strong that he reacted with shock at the next gift. This shows how deeply the poverty-godliness lie had penetrated Christian consciousness.

Why Poverty Is Not Godly: The Consequences

1. Poverty Has Sent Many People to Hell

Daddy Adeboye makes a shocking statement:

“There is nothing godly about poverty; it has sent many people to hell, just as riches have done.”

How does poverty send people to hell?

Way Poverty Leads to Hell	Explanation
Desperation leads to sin	Stealing, fraud, prostitution, corruption—done out of lack, not greed
Bitterness against God	“If God loves me, why am I suffering?” becomes a root of unbelief
Abandonment of faith	Youths decide never to follow their Christian parents because of childhood suffering
Mockery of God by the world	Unbelievers see poor Christians and conclude God is powerless

“Poverty has made many youths decide never to follow the path of their Christian parents because of how badly they suffered while growing up.”

This is a devastating indictment. Children who watch their godly parents struggle to pay school fees, afford medical care, or put food on the table often conclude: “If this is what serving God leads to, I want no part of it.” Poverty becomes a barrier to the gospel.

2. The Widow in 2 Kings 4: A Case Study

Daddy Adeboye highlights the tragedy:

“One of Elisha’s proteges died in poverty and left an inheritance of debt for his family. If his wife had not run to Elisha and received the word of the Lord that turned their poverty to wealth, his two sons, who were facing a lifetime of slavery, could have grown up hating God even though their father was a godly man.”

Consider the trajectory:

Without Divine Intervention	With Divine Intervention
Widow loses two sons to slavery	Sons are freed
Debt consumes the family	Debt is paid in full
The godly man’s legacy is shame	The godly man’s legacy is miraculous provision
Sons grow up resenting God	Sons grow up testifying of God’s faithfulness

The man was godly. He served Elisha. He was a son of the prophets. But he died in debt. His godliness did not prevent poverty. And if God had not acted, his own children would have cursed the God their father served.

“God is not poor (Haggai 2:8), so poverty is not godliness.”

Haggai 2:8 – “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.” God owns everything. He is not impoverished. His children should not be impoverished when they walk in His will.

The Biblical Balance: Wealth Is a Tool, Not a God

Daddy Adeboye is not preaching a “name it and claim it” prosperity gospel without conditions. Notice the balance:

1. Prosperity Comes with Soul Prosperity (3 John 2)

“God gives his children power to make wealth (Deuteronomy 8:8), and it is His desire to prosper them even as their soul prospers.”

If Your Soul Prospers	If Your Soul Does Not Prosper
Wealth becomes a tool for kingdom purposes	Wealth becomes a snare and a trap
You remain humble in abundance	You become proud and forget God (Deuteronomy 8:14)
You give generously	You hoard selfishly
You are trusted with more	You lose what you have

The condition matters. A prosperous soul (full of the knowledge of God, obedient to His word, sensitive to the Spirit) can handle material prosperity. A barren soul will be destroyed by the very wealth it craves.

2. Riches Can Send People to Hell

Daddy Adeboye is careful to say: “poverty has sent many people to hell, just as riches have done.”

Riches Send People to Hell When…
They trust in wealth rather than God (1 Timothy 6:17)
They refuse to share with the needy (James 5:1-6)
Wealth becomes their idol (Matthew 6:24)
They gain the world but lose their soul (Mark 8:36)

The issue is not money. The issue is the heart’s posture toward money. Poverty is not a virtue; wealth is not a vice. Both can be used for good or evil, for God’s glory or for sin.

How the Devil Used the Poverty Doctrine

Daddy Adeboye provides a historical and spiritual analysis:

“He raised people to take over companies and industries until Christians were at the mercy of evil people running different economies around the world.”

The Devil’s Strategy	The Result
Convince Christians that wealth is unholy	Christians abandon economic influence
Unbelievers seize businesses, industries, governance	The world’s systems are run by those who hate God
Christians become dependent on ungodly systems	Believers beg for jobs, loans, and opportunities from those who mock their faith
The gospel is hindered	“How can you save us when your own people are poor?”

This is not a conspiracy theory; it is historical reality. When Christians withdrew from wealth creation, they withdrew from influence. And when they withdrew from influence, they lost the ability to shape society for righteousness.

Rejecting Poverty: A Command, Not a Suggestion

Daddy Adeboye concludes with a direct command:

“Beloved, reject poverty! It is not the will of God for your life.”

To “reject” something means to refuse it, to push it away, to declare it illegitimate for your life. This is not arrogance; it is alignment with God’s revealed will.

What Rejecting Poverty Means	What Rejecting Poverty Does NOT Mean
Believing God wants you to prosper	Becoming obsessed with money
Working diligently and developing skills	Being greedy or covetous
Seeking opportunities for wealth creation	Exploiting others or cutting corners
Using wealth for kingdom purposes	Hoarding wealth for selfish luxury
Praying for financial breakthroughs	Abandoning faith if wealth does not come immediately

How to Walk in God’s Prosperity (Practical Steps)

Based on Daddy Adeboye’s teaching and Scripture, here is how to reject poverty and embrace God’s will for prosperity:

1. Renew Your Mind (Romans 12:2): Stop believing that poverty is godly. Read Scripture that affirms God’s desire to prosper you. Confess aloud: “God is not poor, and I am His child. Poverty is not my inheritance.”
2. Develop a Wealth-Making Skill (Deuteronomy 8:18): “It is He that giveth thee power to get wealth.” That “power” includes creativity, intelligence, skill, and opportunity. Do not wait for manna to fall; work diligently, learn, innovate, and produce value.
3. Settle the Issue of Stewardship: Before wealth comes, decide: “This wealth is not for my destruction. I will tithe, give offerings, bless the poor, and fund the gospel.” If you cannot be trusted with little, you will not be given much.
4. Pray for Prosperity Without Shame: The widow ran to Elisha. She did not sit in poverty and call it humility. She cried out for help. Pray boldly: “Lord, give me the oil that pays debts, frees my children, and leaves me with abundance.”
5. Reject the Spirit of Poverty: Poverty is not just economic; it is a mindset. Reject thoughts that say: “I will always struggle. My family is poor. God must want me this way.” Replace them with: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).

Warning: Do Not Let the Devil Cheat You

Daddy Adeboye’s final warning is clear: the devil used the poverty doctrine to cheat Christians out of their inheritance. Do not let him continue.

The Old Lie	The Truth
“Christians should be poor to be holy”	“God desires you to prosper as your soul prospers”
“Wealth is worldly”	“Wealth is a tool for the gospel”
“God keeps His people poor to humble them”	“God gives power to get wealth to establish His covenant”
“It’s spiritual to struggle financially”	“Poverty has sent many to hell and made others abandon the faith”

Conclusion: Your Prayer for Prosperity

Daddy Adeboye closes with a declaration of God’s desire for your prosperity. Do not settle for lack. Do not call poverty humility. Embrace God’s will for your financial well-being—for your sake, for your children’s sake, and for the sake of the gospel.

Pray this:

“Father, I thank You that You are not poor. Silver and gold belong to You. You have given me power to get wealth, not for my own selfish consumption, but to establish Your covenant on the earth. Forgive me for believing the lie that poverty is godly. Forgive me for rejecting blessings because I feared the opinion of men. Today, I reject poverty. It is not my inheritance. I embrace Your will for my life: prosperity even as my soul prospers. Give me wealth without sorrow. Give me resources to pay every debt, to free my children from financial slavery, and to fund the spread of the gospel. Make me a channel of blessing, not a reservoir of lack. In Jesus’ mighty name.”

Action Steps:

1. The Belief Audit: Write down what you truly believe about money and godliness. Do you secretly think poor Christians are more spiritual? Confess that lie. Replace it with 3 John 2.
2. The Skill Development Plan: Identify one skill you can develop over the next six months that increases your capacity to create wealth. Enroll in a course, find a mentor, or dedicate time daily to practice.
3. The Generosity Test: If God gave you unexpected wealth today, what would you do with it? Write out a plan: tithe, offerings, debts, savings, kingdom projects. If your plan is selfish, your heart is not ready for prosperity. Ask God to make you a faithful steward.

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (3 John 2)
Reject poverty. Embrace prosperity—for your good, your family’s future, and God’s glory. The devil has cheated Christians long enough. Today, the cheating stops.

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The Open Heaven 12 June 2026 devotional for today is PRAYERS FOR YOUTHS.

This is a daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

• Read: RCCG Open Heaven 11 June 2026 Devotional

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OPEN HEAVEN 12 JUNE 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL

TOPIC: PRAYERS FOR YOUTHS

MEMORISE:

My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
Proverbs 1:8-9

READ: 1 Peter 5:5-9

⁵ Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
⁶ Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

⁷ Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
⁸ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
⁹ Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

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RCCG OPEN HEAVEN 12 JUNE 2026 TODAY MESSAGE

1. Father, I thank You for the youths around me.

Thank You for making them strong, creative, and innovative. I am grateful for Your abundant grace towards them.

2. Father, please open the eyes of our youths’ understanding. Cause them to know the hope of their calling and Your great power that is at work in their lives, in Jesus’ name.

3. Lord, please keep the youths on the right path.
Guide them with Your eyes and keep them from taking wrong turns and making wrong decisions, in Jesus’ name.

4. Father, please teach the youths to watch their mouths and guard their hearts. May they not ensnare themselves with the thoughts of their hearts and the words of their mouths in any way, in Jesus’ name.

5. Father, please teach the youths to honour You with their time, gifts, and positions. Help them see that every good and perfect gift they possess comes from You, in Jesus’ name.

6. Lord, please teach the youths how to trust completely in You. Teach them not to lean on their own understanding but acknowledge You in all their ways, in Jesus’ name.

7. Father, please bless the youths with good success. Hear their cries for help and meet them at the point of their needs, in Jesus’ name.

8. Father, please open great doors of opportunities for the youths, and help them to be adequately prepared when they come, in Jesus’ name.

9. Father, please let the mind that was in Christ Jesus be in all our youths and flood their paths with light, in Jesus’ name.

10. Lord, please cause every backslidden Christian youth to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd again and return home. Draw them back to You with Your lovingkindness and mercy, in Jesus’ name.

11. Father, please strengthen the youths so they can withstand the devil’s temptations. May they not be entangled in the devil’s web of addictions and immorality, in Jesus’ name.

12. Your personal prayer points for the youths.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Psalms 43-49

Open Heavens HYMN 22: SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER

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Download Open Heaven 12 June 2026 Devotional PDF

The Open Heaven 11 June 2026 devotional for today is LOVE SHOULD NOT HINDER GOD’S WILL.

This is a daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

• Read: RCCG Open Heaven 10 June 2026 Devotional

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OPEN HEAVEN 11 JUNE 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL

TOPIC: LOVE SHOULD NOT HINDER GOD’S WILL

MEMORISE:

But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Matthew 16:23

READ: 1 Samuel 17:26-31

²⁶ And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
²⁷ And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.
²⁸ And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.

²⁹ And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?
³⁰ And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.
³¹ And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him.

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RCCG OPEN HEAVEN 11 JUNE 2026 TODAY MESSAGE

In December 2018, I went for the RCCG’s annual Let’s-Go-A-Fishing evangelism programme, as l usually do. The roads were bad, but I didn’t let that bother me because I was already used to travelling on bad roads.

However, the roads were so bad that year that by the third day of the programme, my body broke down completely, and I had to spend Christmas Day in bed. When it was time to return to Redemption City, I was so weak physically that I couldn’t go by road. Therefore, arrangements were made for a helicopter to transport me.

When the helicopter arrived, a crowd of people gathered around it, making it difficult for me to get on board.

My protocol team managed to get me on board the helicopter; however, the crowd made it impossible for it to take off. They clung to the helicopter, and the situation became so charged that one of its windows broke. To God’s glory, I survived that encounter and returned home safely.

Sometimes, people who love you may think that they are acting in your best interests; however, their actions might be causing more harm to you than good. The people who gathered around the helicopter, as I narrated above, didn’t do so because they wanted to hurt me. They gathered because they love me, but they didn’t know that their actions might have seriously harmed me.

In today’s Bible reading, Eliab was trying to protect David as every big brother would do. His younger brother had no combat training whatsoever, yet he was determined to challenge a seasoned warrior. If you were in Eliab’s shoes, you would also have done everything possible to prevent David from facing Goliath. However, even though he had good intentions, his actions might have prevented David from fulfilling his destiny.

Beloved, you must be careful to know when your loved ones are acting in a manner that would limit you from fulfilling God’s plan for your life. In Matthew 16:21-23, Peter, who had just declared that Jesus is the Son of God, started to rebuke the Master because He began to talk about His impending death. He obviously loved Jesus, yet he almost became a stumbling block to the Lord fulfilling His earthly assignment. I pray that God will help you discern whenever your loved ones actions are hindering His will for your life. May He give you the courage to refuse to allow their words and actions prevent you from doing His will, in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER POINT

Father, please help me to discern when my loved ones are not mindful of Your will

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Psalms 34-37

HYMN 33: GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH!

OPEN HEAVEN DEVOTIONAL 11 JUNE 2026 COMMENTARY

MEMORISE: Matthew 16:23

“But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”

This verse records one of the most startling moments in the Gospels. Peter, the same man who had just been called “blessed” and given the keys of the kingdom (Matthew 16:17-19), is now addressed as “Satan.” Daddy Adeboye anchors today’s devotional on this text because it reveals a crucial truth: genuine love, when misguided, can become a tool of the enemy. Peter loved Jesus. Peter did not want his Master to suffer. But that very love, because it was rooted in human reasoning rather than divine purpose, became a stumbling block. Jesus did not politely thank Peter for his concern. He rebuked him sharply because the stakes were eternal.

BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 17:26-31

This passage describes David’s arrival at the battlefield where Goliath had been defying the armies of Israel. David hears the challenge and asks, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” His older brother Eliab hears this and burns with anger against David, accusing him of pride and wickedness. Eliab’s words were meant to silence David, to send him back to the sheep, to “protect” him from danger. But Daddy Adeboye reveals that Eliab’s protection, however well-intentioned, was actually a hindrance to David’s destiny.

The Danger of Misguided Love: When Help Becomes Harm

1. Daddy Adeboye’s Personal Testimony: The Helicopter Incident

Daddy Adeboye shares a rare and vulnerable personal story to illustrate the subtle danger of well-meaning people:

*”In December 2018, I went for the RCCG’s annual Let’s-Go-A-Fishing evangelism programme… The roads were so bad that year that by the third day of the programme, my body broke down completely, and I had to spend Christmas Day in bed.”*

After becoming too weak to travel by road, a helicopter was arranged. But then:

“When the helicopter arrived, a crowd of people gathered around it, making it difficult for me to get on board. My protocol team managed to get me on board the helicopter; however, the crowd made it impossible for it to take off. They clung to the helicopter, and the situation became so charged that one of its windows broke.”

Who were these people? Enemies? Protesters? Attackers?

“The people who gathered around the helicopter… didn’t do so because they wanted to hurt me. They gathered because they love me…”

Their Intention	Their Actual Effect
To show love and affection	To physically endanger Daddy Adeboye’s life
To get close to him	To prevent the helicopter from taking off
To express honor	To break a window and nearly cause a disaster

“Sometimes, people who love you may think that they are acting in your best interests; however, their actions might be causing more harm to you than good.”

This is the central warning of today’s devotional. Love is not enough. Good intentions are not enough. If love is not submitted to God’s timing and God’s purpose, it can become a chain that holds you back from your destiny.

2. Eliab’s “Protection” of David (1 Samuel 17:26-31)

Daddy Adeboye draws a parallel to David and his older brother Eliab:

Eliab’s Perspective	The Reality
David is a boy, not a soldier	David is an anointed king and a man of faith
David has no combat training	David has killed a lion and a bear by God’s power
David is being prideful and irresponsible	David is defending the honor of the living God
Eliab is protecting his younger brother	Eliab is attempting to block David’s destiny

“If you were in Eliab’s shoes, you would also have done everything possible to prevent David from facing Goliath. However, even though he had good intentions, his actions might have prevented David from fulfilling his destiny.”

This is the tragedy of Eliab. He was not evil. He was not an enemy of God. He was an older brother who loved his younger sibling and did not want to see him killed. But his love, because it operated from human fear rather than divine revelation, was actually aligning him against God’s plan.

The Peter Paradigm: From Revelation to Stumbling Block

1. The Context (Matthew 16:21-23)

Daddy Adeboye highlights the shocking contrast:

Just Before (Matthew 16:16-17)	Just After (Matthew 16:22-23)
Peter: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”	Peter: “Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.”
Jesus: “Blessed art thou… flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee.”	Jesus: “Get thee behind me, Satan… thou savourest not the things that be of God.”

The same mouth that spoke divine revelation moments later spoke satanic obstruction. What changed? Peter heard Jesus say He would suffer, die, and rise again. Peter loved Jesus. Peter did not want his Master to die. So Peter rebuked the Son of God.

“He obviously loved Jesus, yet he almost became a stumbling block to the Lord fulfilling His earthly assignment.”

Peter’s love was real. Peter’s concern was genuine. But Peter’s understanding was earthly, not heavenly. He was “savouring the things of men”—thinking like a human who fears death—rather than savouring the things of God—understanding that the cross was the very purpose of Jesus’ coming.

2. Jesus’ Severe Response

Jesus did not say, “Thank you for your concern, Peter, but I’ll be fine.” He did not say, “I appreciate your love, but let me handle this.” He said: “Get thee behind me, Satan.”

Why so harsh? Because Peter, in that moment, was speaking the same language that Satan spoke in the wilderness: “Avoid the suffering. Take the easy path. Save Yourself.” Satan wanted Jesus to bypass the cross. Peter, out of love, wanted the same thing.

Source	Message	Origin
Satan (Matthew 4)	Worship me and avoid the cross	The enemy
Peter (Matthew 16)	Lord, don’t go to the cross	Misguided love

Both messages led to the same destination: away from God’s will.

How to Discern When Loved Ones Are Hindering Your Destiny

Daddy Adeboye prays for discernment. Here is how to recognize when well-meaning people are actually blocking God’s plan for your life:

1. The Test of Fear vs. Faith

If Their Advice Is Rooted in Fear	If Their Advice Is Rooted in Faith
“It’s too dangerous”	“God is with you”
“What if you fail?”	“What if God succeeds through you?”
“Nobody has ever done that before”	“God makes a way where there is no way”
“You’re not qualified”	“God qualifies the called”
“Wait until you’re more ready”	“Now is the time of the Lord”

Eliab’s words to David were pure fear: “Why did you come down here? I know your pride and the naughtiness of your heart.” (1 Samuel 17:28). Peter’s words to Jesus were pure fear: “This shall not happen to you.”

Fear-based love will always try to keep you safe. Faith-based love will release you into God’s dangerous will.

2. The Test of Human Reasoning vs. Divine Purpose

Human Reasoning Says	Divine Purpose Says
“Protect your reputation”	“Be willing to be misunderstood”
“Preserve your comfort”	“Take up your cross”
“Avoid pain at all costs”	“The suffering produces glory”
“Stay where it’s familiar”	“Go where I am sending you”

Peter was reasoning like a man. Jesus was obeying as the Son. Eliab was reasoning like an older brother. David was acting as a man of faith.

“May He give you the courage to refuse to allow their words and actions prevent you from doing His will.”

Courage is required because the people hindering you are often not enemies—they are parents, spouses, siblings, mentors, and close friends who genuinely love you. Saying “no” to their “protection” feels like betrayal. But disobedience to God is the greater betrayal.

The Cost of Yielding to Misguided Love

Daddy Adeboye implies several consequences if David had listened to Eliab or Jesus had listened to Peter:

If David Had Listened to Eliab	If Jesus Had Listened to Peter
Goliath would have continued to defy Israel	No atonement for sin
The Philistines would have enslaved Israel	No resurrection victory
David would have remained a shepherd, never a king	No empty tomb, no salvation
The lineage of Christ would have been interrupted	Eternity would be lost

“If you were in Eliab’s shoes, you would also have done everything possible to prevent David from facing Goliath.”

Yes. And that is precisely the danger. Your loved ones are not evil. They are not agents of Satan consciously. But the enemy can use their love, their fear, and their “common sense” to build a prison around your destiny.

Misguided Love Sounds Like	What It Actually Does
“I just don’t want you to get hurt”	Tries to keep you from the very battle that will make you
“That dream is unrealistic”	Attempts to kill your God-given vision
“Why can’t you be like everyone else?”	Pressures you into conformity rather than destiny
“You’re being too radical for God”	Attempts to water down your consecration

How to Respond When Loved Ones Hinder You

Based on Daddy Adeboye’s teaching and the biblical examples, here is how to respond:

1. Recognize the Source (Without Hating the Person)

Jesus saw that behind Peter’s words was Satan’s agenda. He rebuked Satan, not Peter as a person. You can love your family member while rejecting the fear-based advice they are giving.

2. Speak the Truth in Love (But Speak It)

David did not insult Eliab. He simply turned away from him (1 Samuel 17:30 – “He turned from him toward another”) and continued speaking the same words of faith. He did not argue. He did not fight. He disengaged.

3. Obey God Rather Than Man (Acts 5:29)

When the choice is between pleasing God and pleasing your loved ones, the answer is clear: obey God. This may strain relationships temporarily, but God is able to restore what is broken when you walk in obedience.

4. Pray for Their Eyes to Be Opened

Your loved ones are not your enemies. Pray for them. Ask God to give them revelation so they can support you rather than hinder you. But do not wait for their permission to obey God.

Warning: The Most Dangerous Hindrances Come From Love

Daddy Adeboye’s devotional carries a profound warning: the enemy does not usually attack you through obvious enemies. He attacks through the people who love you most and whose advice you are most likely to trust without question.

Obvious Enemy	Hidden Hindrance
Goliath (clearly the enemy)	Eliab (big brother who “cares”)
Satan in the wilderness (obvious temptation)	Peter (beloved disciple who “loves”)
Persecutors (easy to identify)	Family and friends (hard to resist)

“I pray that God will help you discern whenever your loved ones actions are hindering His will for your life.”

Discernment is the gift you need. Without it, you will hug your prison bars and call them protection.

Conclusion: Your Prayer for Courage and Discernment

Daddy Adeboye closes with a prayer for discernment and courage. Do not let the love of well-meaning people derail the purpose of God for your life.

Pray this:

“Lord Jesus, I come to You recognizing that even love can be misguided. Forgive me for the times I have listened to fear disguised as protection. Forgive me for allowing the ‘Eliabs’ and ‘Peters’ in my life to talk me out of Your will. Today, I ask for discernment: show me when the advice of my loved ones is actually a hindrance to my destiny. Give me the courage of David—to turn away from fear-based counsel and fix my eyes on the living God. Give me the determination of Jesus—to walk toward the cross even when those I love say, ‘Don’t go.’ I will not let human affection block divine assignment. I will obey You, even when it breaks hearts. Guide my steps, in Jesus’ mighty name.”

Action Steps:

1. The Counsel Audit: Think about the last three significant decisions you made (career, ministry, marriage, relocation, etc.). Who advised you? Was their advice rooted in fear or faith? If they advised you away from God’s clear direction, recognize their love was misguided.
2. The Eliab Test: Identify one person in your life whose “protection” may actually be hindering your destiny. Ask God: Is this person speaking Your will or human fear? If the answer is fear, begin lovingly disengaging from their counsel without disengaging from the person.
3. The Courage Prayer: Every morning this week, pray: “Lord, give me the courage to obey You today, even if everyone I love tells me I am wrong. I will savor the things of God, not the things of men.”

“Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” (Matthew 16:23)
Love is not an excuse to disobey God. Discern the source. Choose the cross. Fulfill your destiny.

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Read RCCG Open Heaven Devotional for Tomorrow

Download Open Heaven 11 June 2026 Devotional PDF

The Open Heavens 10 June 2026 devotional for today is MIND YOUR FRIENDS.

This is a daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

• Read: RCCG Open Heavens 9 June 2026 Devotional

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OPEN HEAVENS 10 JUNE 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL

TOPIC: MIND YOUR FRIENDS

MEMORISE:

Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt manners.
1 Corinthians 15:33

READ: 2 Corinthians 6:14-17

¹⁴ Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
¹⁵ And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
¹⁶ And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
¹⁷ Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

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RCCG OPEN HEAVENS 10 JUNE 2026 TODAY MESSAGE

Many Christians profess to be children of God; however, they still maintain really close friendships with unbelievers and are heavily influenced negatively by such relationships. They attend church regularly, but they have friends who want nothing to do with the Church.

Christians such as this might hear God’s word regularly and even be involved in the various church activities; however, when they are in the midst of their friends, they never discuss the things of God with them.

Eventually, their association with such friends becomes a thorn that chokes God’s word in their hearts.

Today’s Bible reading admonishes us to be separate from the world because light has nothing to do with darkness. Believe me, it is easier for a fellow to be brought down than to be pulled up by another fellow. This means that it is easier for friends who are unbelievers to pull down a Christian than for the Christian to pull such friends up. This is why Paul advised Christians not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers.

Beloved, if you have friends who are worldly, you most likely will begin to care so much about worldly things, and James 4:4 tells us that friendship with the world is enmity with God. When your close friends always speak ill about God, the Church, and men of God, you will likely begin to mock the things of God.

In 2 Timothy 4:10, Paul told us about a young man named Demas who was his companion on some of his missionary journeys but eventually forsook him and left the faith because he loved the world. When a fellow allows unholy friends to introduce little foxes like ungodly habits, unrighteous conversations, and immoral behaviour into his or her life, it will eventually ruin the fellow (Song of Solomon 2:15).

Are there wild desires or ungodly habits in your life that can be traced to your association with some of your friends? Break up with such desires and habits so that you won’t sow among thorns and miss out on God’s blessings or be pushed out of your purpose like Demas.

Furthermore, dissociate yourself from unholy friends and begin to cultivate a more intimate relationship with God and other believers who can influence you positively and help strengthen your faith.

I pray that the Almighty God will guide you to cultivate relationships with godly people that will influence you to be more committed to Him and strengthen you to fulfil His purpose for your life, in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please guide me to make friends with the right people, in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Psalms 28-33

Open Heavens HYMN 39: I AM THINE, O LORD

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 10 JUNE 2026 COMMENTARY

MEMORISE: 1 Corinthians 15:33

“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”

This verse is a solemn warning against the deception of underestimating the power of companionship. Daddy Adeboye anchors today’s devotional on this text because many Christians sincerely believe they can walk with unbelievers without being affected. Paul says: Do not be deceived. The word “communications” here means companionships, conversations, and constant associations. “Good manners” refers to morals, character, and spiritual integrity. The truth is devastating but simple: bad company does not merely annoy you—it corrupts you. Slowly, subtly, and certainly.

BIBLE READING: 2 Corinthians 6:14-17

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?… Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”

This passage is one of the clearest commands in Scripture on relational boundaries. Paul uses five rhetorical questions to show the impossibility of true fellowship between believers and unbelievers at the deepest level of intimate friendship. A yoke is a wooden beam that joins two animals together so they pull in the same direction. To be “unequally yoked” means to be bound in a close, shared-life relationship with someone who is pulling toward the world while you are pulling toward Christ. The result is not harmony—it is friction, frustration, and eventual deviation.

The Silent Danger: Close Friendships with Unbelievers

1. The Profile of the Compromised Christian

Daddy Adeboye paints a troubling picture of a believer who is living a double life:

At Church	With Unbelieving Friends
Attends regularly	Never discusses God with them
Involved in church activities	Adopts their language, jokes, and values
Hears God’s word weekly	Slowly being choked by thorns
Professes to be a child of God	In danger of being pulled down

“Christians such as this might hear God’s word regularly and even be involved in the various church activities; however, when they are in the midst of their friends, they never discuss the things of God with them.”

This is the silent tragedy. The believer is not denying Christ outright. They are not renouncing their faith. They are simply silent about it in the company that matters most to them. And silence, over time, becomes complicity.

2. The Thorn That Chokes the Word

Daddy Adeboye connects this devotional back to the Parable of the Sower (covered in previous days):

“Eventually, their association with such friends becomes a thorn that chokes God’s word in their hearts.”

Recall the thorny ground: the seed grows, but thorns spring up and choke it. Those thorns were “the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things” (Mark 4:19). But Daddy Adeboye adds another thorn: unholy friendships. These friendships:

• Introduce distractions that compete with God’s word
• Normalize conversations that grieve the Holy Spirit
• Gradually shift your affections from heaven to earth
• Produce no fruit because the plant is strangled

The Gravitational Pull: Easier to Go Down Than to Come Up

1. The Law of Spiritual Gravity

Daddy Adeboye states a sobering principle:

“Believe me, it is easier for a fellow to be brought down than to be pulled up by another fellow. This means that it is easier for friends who are unbelievers to pull down a Christian than for the Christian to pull such friends up.”

This is not pessimism; it is realism. Consider why:

Why Pulling Down Is Easier	Why Pulling Up Is Harder
Sin is naturally attractive; holiness requires effort	The flesh resists correction and change
The world system supports downward pulls (peer pressure, media, cultural norms)	The Christian is outnumbered in any group of unbelievers
No spiritual resistance in going with the flow	Significant spiritual resistance in swimming against the current
One bad apple can spoil the whole barrel (Ecclesiastes 9:18)	One good apple does not automatically sweeten the bad ones

“This is why Paul advised Christians not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers.”

The unequal yoke is not about never speaking to unbelievers (Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners). It is about close, intimate, life-entwining friendships where their values become your normal. You cannot evangelize effectively if you are being evangelized by the world.

2. James 4:4 – Friendship with the World Is Enmity with God

Daddy Adeboye quotes this verse without softening it:

“James 4:4 tells us that friendship with the world is enmity with God.”

The word “friendship” here means fondness, affection, and intimate association. The “world” means the system of values, desires, and behaviors that ignores or opposes God. Therefore:

If Your Close Friends Are…	The Inevitable Result
Worldly in their values	You will begin to care about worldly things
Mockers of God, the Church, and men of God	You will begin to mock or at least stay silent when they mock
Unholy in their habits	Their “little foxes” will enter your vineyard (Song of Solomon 2:15)

“When your close friends always speak ill about God, the Church, and men of God, you will likely begin to mock the things of God.”

You cannot sit at a table where God is being dishonored day after day and remain unaffected. The water will seek its own level. If you swim long enough in a polluted river, you will be contaminated.

The Case Study of Demas (2 Timothy 4:10)

Daddy Adeboye uses Demas as a warning:

“Paul told us about a young man named Demas who was his companion on some of his missionary journeys but eventually forsook him and left the faith because he loved the world.”

Consider Demas’s trajectory:

Stage	Demas’s Condition
Stage 1	Companion of Paul on missionary journeys (Philemon 1:24) – trusted, active, serving
Stage 2	Still with Paul during his first imprisonment (Colossians 4:14) – faithful enough to be mentioned
Stage 3	Forsook Paul because he loved the world (2 Timothy 4:10) – chose the world over the ministry

What happened between Stage 2 and Stage 3? Daddy Adeboye suggests: unholy friendships, worldly attachments, and little foxes that grew into big destroyers. Demas did not fall suddenly. He drifted. He began to love the world more than the kingdom. And his close associations likely played a role.

“Break up with such desires and habits so that you won’t sow among thorns and miss out on God’s blessings or be pushed out of your purpose like Demas.”

The tragedy of Demas is not that he was never saved (the Bible does not say). The tragedy is that he was a companion of Paul—a man who had seen miracles, planted churches, and touched eternity—and yet he walked away. Why? Because he loved the world. And unholy friendships are one of the primary ways the world gets into your heart.

The Little Foxes (Song of Solomon 2:15)

“Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.”

Daddy Adeboye uses this verse to show that destruction often comes not through massive, obvious sins, but through small, seemingly insignificant compromises introduced by unholy friends:

Little Fox (Small Compromise)	Big Destruction (Eventual Outcome)
“Just one drink with friends”	Alcohol dependence or drunkenness
“A joke about the pastor”	Loss of respect for spiritual authority
“Skip prayer meeting to hang out”	Gradual cooling of spiritual fire
“Watch this movie with us”	Exposure to immorality that defiles the conscience
“It’s just a small lie”	Erosion of integrity and trustworthiness

“When a fellow allows unholy friends to introduce little foxes like ungodly habits, unrighteous conversations, and immoral behaviour into his or her life, it will eventually ruin the fellow.”

The tragedy is that these foxes are little. They do not seem dangerous. They seem harmless. But they spoil the vines—the tender grapes of character, reputation, and spiritual fruit. By the time the damage is visible, the harvest is already ruined.

How to Identify a Dangerous Friendship

Not every friendship with an unbeliever is automatically forbidden (Jesus was a “friend of sinners” in the sense of reaching them). But Daddy Adeboye is warning about close, intimate, life-influencing friendships. Here is a diagnostic tool:

Question	If Yes → Dangerous Friendship
Do you spend more time with them than in prayer and Bible study?	Your spiritual diet is being replaced
Do you hide your Christian identity or beliefs around them?	You are ashamed of Christ in their presence
Do you participate in activities with them that you would not do if Jesus returned?	They are leading you into sin
Do they mock God, the Bible, or Christians in your presence without you speaking up?	Your silence is complicity
Do you find yourself adopting their language, humor, or values?	You are being conformed, not transforming

If you answered yes to any of these, the friendship has crossed from redemptive influence to dangerous entanglement.

What to Do: Break Up, Separate, and Cultivate Godly Friendships

Daddy Adeboye gives three clear instructions:

1. Break Up with Ungodly Habits and Desires

Before you can separate from unholy friends, you must separate from the sins they introduced:

Action	How to Do It
Identify the specific habit	Trace it back to the friendship that introduced it
Confess it as sin	Name it to God; do not minimize it
Repent	Turn away completely; do not revisit
Remove access	Stop going to places or engaging in activities that trigger the habit

2. Dissociate from Unholy Friends

“Dissociate yourself from unholy friends…”

This is difficult but necessary. Daddy Adeboye is not saying to be rude or cruel. But he is saying to end the close, intimate friendship that is pulling you down.

What This Does NOT Mean	What This DOES Mean
Never speak to unbelievers again	Stop having unbelievers as your inner circle of influence
Be hostile or judgmental	Be loving but distant; friendly but not intimate
Abandon evangelism	Change your posture from learner to influencer; you influence them, not vice versa

Practical steps:

• Reduce time spent with them gradually or abruptly (as the Spirit leads)
• Decline invitations to events that compromise your faith
• When they mock God, speak gently but clearly: “I don’t talk about my Savior that way”
• Replace those hours with time in godly community

3. Cultivate Intimate Relationships with God and Godly Believers

“Begin to cultivate a more intimate relationship with God and other believers who can influence you positively and help strengthen your faith.”

Godly Friendships Provide	Ungodly Friendships Provide
Prayer support	Pressure to compromise
Accountability	Anonymity in sin
Encouragement in trials	Mockery of struggles
Sharpening (Proverbs 27:17)	Dulling of spiritual senses
A safe place to confess weakness	An audience to perform for

You do not need many friends. You need a few faithful friends who love Jesus more than they love you and who will pull you up when you are slipping.

Warning: The Cost of Not Separating

Daddy Adeboye’s devotional carries an urgent warning:

If You Do Not Separate	The Likely Outcome
You will sow among thorns	Your spiritual seed will be choked; no harvest
You will miss out on God’s blessings	Blessings require purity; thorns block the flow
You will be pushed out of your purpose	Like Demas, you will forsake your calling for the world

This is not a minor issue. This is about whether you will fulfill your destiny or abandon it because you loved the world more than God.

Conclusion: Your Prayer for Godly Friendships

Daddy Adeboye closes with a prayer that God will guide you to cultivate relationships with godly people who will strengthen your faith. Do not underestimate the power of companionship. Your closest friends will determine the trajectory of your spiritual life.

Pray this:

“Lord Jesus, I confess that I have been deceived. I have believed that I could walk closely with unbelievers and not be affected. Forgive me for the little foxes that have entered my vineyard through unholy friendships. Today, I break every soul tie with friendships that pull me away from You. Give me the courage to separate, even when it is painful. And lead me to godly friends—men and women who love Your word, hunger for Your presence, and will pray with me and hold me accountable. I refuse to be a Demas. I will not love the world more than I love You. Cleanse my associations, in Jesus’ mighty name.”

Action Steps:

1. The Friendship Audit: Write down the names of your five closest friends (the people you spend the most time with, text most often, or turn to for advice). Next to each name, write whether they are:
   • Passionate for Christ (spurs you toward holiness)
   • Nominal (talks about God but lives like the world)
   • Unbeliever (does not follow Christ)
   Be honest. Then ask: Are these friendships helping me or harming my faith?
2. The Demas Check: Ask yourself honestly: Am I slowly loving the world more than I love God? What “little fox” has recently entered my life through a friendship? Identify it. Confess it. Remove it.
3. The Godly Friendship Pursuit: For the next 30 days, intentionally invest time in relationships with believers who are spiritually ahead of you. Join a prayer group, attend a Bible study, ask someone to be your accountability partner. Replace ungodly influence with holy influence.

“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)
Your friends are shaping your destiny. Choose them carefully. Separate from what pulls you down. Run with those who pull you toward Christ.

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Download Open Heavens 10 June 2026 Devotional PDF

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).

• Read: RCCG Open Heavens 8 June 2026 Devotional

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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?

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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:

1. 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.
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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.
5. 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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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