Category: Open Heavens Devotional

The Open Heavens 26 May 2026 devotional for today is STRENGTH IS NOT ENOUGH II.

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 25 May 2026 Devotional

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OPEN HEAVENS 26 MAY 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL

TOPIC: STRENGTH IS NOT ENOUGH II

MEMORISE:

Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
Psalm 84:4

READ: Isaiah 40:28-31

28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

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RCCG OPEN HEAVENS 26 MAY 2026 TODAY MESSAGE

Yesterday, we saw how Peter fell into temptation because he couldn’t keep watch in prayer (Matthew 26:40-43). Prayerlessness is one of the signs that a believer is relying on his or her own strength. Unlike Peter, however, David kept watch day and night in the place of prayer (Psalm 55:17).

He often stayed awake at night, spending time with God and meditating on His word (Psalm 63:6, Psalm 119:148). He was so aware of the limitations of his strength that on many occasions in the Bible, he enquired of the Lord to know what He wanted him to do (1 Samuel 23:1-5, 1 Samuel 30:8-9).

However, in 2 Samuel 11, where he obviously didn’t enquire of the Lord but rather gave in to lust, he got into a predicament that negatively impacted his lineage (2 Samuel 12:9-12).

Daniel also knew the importance of prayer. He knew how much he needed God in the strange land of Babylon, and the Bible tells us that he prayed thrice daily (Daniel 6:10). Even when a decree was made that nobody should pray to anyone except the king, he was too aware of the limitations of his strength that his first reaction was to open his windows and pray as usual. His response to everything was prayer.

Prayer is so important that the Bible urges us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The moment you don’t feel like praying or see the need to pray is actually the time to pray more intently because prayerlessness can leave a believer in a weak state and cause such a believer to lose his or her spiritual vitality. Once the devil douses a believer’s spiritual fire, he can ruin him or her.

Praying puts us in a posture of humility before God, where we acknowledge that we cannot do anything without Him. It keeps our hearts tender and reminds us of the limitations of our physical strength. When we cultivate a lifestyle of waiting on God in prayer, we renew our strength daily (Isaiah 40:31) and are able to overcome the devil’s temptations (Matthew 26:41).

Beloved, how do you respond to life’s challenges? Do you always try to solve them with your wisdom and strength first? Do you only run to God when everything you’ve tried fails? Do not make God a spare wheel in your life; rather, He should always be your first resort.

Cultivate the habit of praying without ceasing, and you will live victoriously all the days of your life, in Jesus’ name.

KEY POINT

When you cultivate a lifestyle of prayer, you will tap into the Lord’s strength daily.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Esther 6-10

Open Heavens HYMN 22: SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 26 MAY 2026 COMMENTARY

MEMORISE: Psalm 84:4

“Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee.”

This verse describes the unique blessing of those who live in God’s presence. “Dwelling” is not a temporary visit—it is a permanent residence. It is not coming to church on Sunday and leaving—it is abiding in prayer, worship, and communion with God continuously. The result is not occasional praise but a lifestyle of praise. Those who dwell in God’s house are never far from His help because they are never far from His presence.

BIBLE READING: Isaiah 40:28-31

“Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

This passage contrasts human limitation with divine power. Even the strongest humans—youths and young men—eventually faint and fall. But those who wait on the LORD have their strength renewed. The promise is not that they will never get tired, but that when they do, God gives fresh strength. They rise like eagles, run without weariness, and walk without fainting. This passage teaches that waiting on God in prayer is not passivity—it is the source of supernatural endurance.

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The Danger of Prayerlessness

In today’s devotional, Pastor E.A. Adeboye continues from yesterday’s message about self-confidence. He identifies prayerlessness as one of the clearest signs that a believer is relying on his or her own strength. When you stop praying, you are not just busy—you are declaring that you don’t need God. And the moment you stop needing Him, you become vulnerable to the enemy.

David: The Man Who Enquired of the Lord

The devotional contrasts Peter’s failure with David’s practice. David was not naturally stronger than Peter—but he had a different habit. He kept watch day and night in the place of prayer.

David’s prayer life:

• He prayed morning, noon, and evening (Psalm 55:17).
• He stayed awake at night to spend time with God (Psalm 63:6).
• He meditated on God’s word during the night watches (Psalm 119:148).
• He enquired of the Lord before every major decision (1 Samuel 23:1-5, 30:8-9).

The result of David’s prayerfulness: He succeeded where others failed. He defeated Goliath, escaped Saul, built a kingdom, and was called a man after God’s own heart.

The one time David did not pray: In 2 Samuel 11, he saw Bathsheba, gave in to lust, committed adultery, and arranged murder. He did not enquire of the Lord. He relied on his own strength and judgment. The result was a predicament that negatively impacted his lineage for generations (2 Samuel 12:9-12).

The lesson: David’s worst failure happened when he stopped praying. The same David who had slain giants fell to temptation when he neglected prayer.

Daniel: The Man Who Prayed Regardless

The devotional gives another example: Daniel. He was in a strange land—Babylon—surrounded by enemies, serving under a pagan king. He knew how much he needed God. So he prayed three times daily (Daniel 6:10).

When a decree was issued that no one should pray to anyone except the king, Daniel’s response was not to hide, not to calculate, not to compromise. His first reaction was to open his windows and pray as usual.

• He did not wait to see if the decree would be enforced.
• He did not try to find a loophole.
• He did not pray in secret to avoid detection.
• He opened his windows—publicly, visibly, defiantly—and prayed.

Why? Because Daniel was too aware of the limitations of his own strength. He knew that without prayer, he could not survive. His response to everything was prayer.

The Connection Between Prayerlessness and Self-Confidence

The devotional makes a crucial link: Prayerlessness is a sign that a believer is relying on his or her own strength.

• When you stop praying before a decision, you are saying, “I’ve got this.”
• When you stop praying before a conversation, you are saying, “I know what to say.”
• When you stop praying before a temptation, you are saying, “I can handle this.”
• When you stop praying before a battle, you are saying, “I am strong enough.”

This is exactly where Peter went wrong. He slept when Jesus told him to watch and pray. He was confident in his own loyalty, his own courage, his own strength. And he fell.

What Happens When You Stop Praying

The devotional warns: “The moment you don’t feel like praying or see the need to pray is actually the time to pray more intently.”

When you stop praying:

• You become weak. Prayer is your connection to God’s power. Cut the connection, and the power stops flowing.
• You lose spiritual vitality. Your fire dims. Your passion cools. Your sensitivity dulls.
• The devil gains access. Once he douses your spiritual fire, he can ruin you. What you resisted for years becomes easy to fall into.

Prayerlessness does not lead to strength—it leads to vulnerability.

The Posture of Humility

The devotional explains what prayer does in your life:

“Praying puts us in a posture of humility before God, where we acknowledge that we cannot do anything without Him.”

• Prayer is not informing God of your needs—He already knows.
• Prayer is not persuading God to act—He is already willing.
• Prayer is positioning yourself to receive—acknowledging your dependency.

When you pray, you are saying:

• “I am weak, but You are strong.”
• “I am blind, but You see.”
• “I am limited, but You are infinite.”
• “I cannot, but You can.”

This humility keeps your heart tender. It reminds you of the limitations of your physical strength. It keeps you from the curse of self-confidence.

The Promise of Renewed Strength

The Bible reading gives one of the greatest promises in Scripture: “They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength.”

Waiting is not passive. It is not sitting around doing nothing. Waiting on the Lord is prayerful dependence. It is saying, “I will not move until You speak. I will not act until You direct. I will not fight until You command.”

What waiting produces:

• Renewed strength—not your original strength, but fresh supply.
• Eagle’s wings—soaring above problems that trap others.
• Running without weariness—sustained pace for the long race.
• Walking without fainting—steady endurance for the daily grind.

Those who do not wait on the Lord—even youths and young men—eventually faint and fall. Their natural strength runs out. But those who wait have an endless supply.

How to Cultivate a Lifestyle of Prayer

1. Pray Without Ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
This does not mean you never stop speaking. It means you maintain an attitude of prayer throughout the day—quick prayers, constant awareness of God’s presence, continual dependence.

2. Make God Your First Resort
The devotional challenges: “Do not make God a spare wheel in your life; He should always be your first resort.”

• Before you try your wisdom, pray.
• Before you make a call, pray.
• Before you send an email, pray.
• Before you respond to a provocation, pray.

3. Establish Set Prayer Times
David prayed morning, noon, and evening. Daniel prayed three times daily. Set specific times for prayer—not because God is only available then, but because your flesh needs a schedule.

4. Pray When You Don’t Feel Like It
The moment you don’t feel like praying is the moment you need to pray most. Your feelings are not your guide. Your need for God does not change based on your emotions.

5. Use Night Watches
David stayed awake at night to pray and meditate. There is a special clarity in the night hours when distractions are minimal. Consider waking earlier or staying up later to seek God.

6. Enquire Before Every Decision
Before you say yes, before you sign, before you move, before you commit—enquire of the Lord. Ask, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Make this a non-negotiable habit.

Conclusion: Pray or Fall

Peter fell because he did not pray. David fell the one time he did not enquire. Daniel survived because he prayed.

The pattern is clear:

• Prayerlessness leads to vulnerability.
• Vulnerability leads to temptation.
• Temptation leads to fall.

Prayer leads to:

• Humility.
• Dependence.
• Renewed strength.
• Victory.

Do not wait until you are in crisis to pray. Pray now. Pray always. Pray without ceasing. Make God your first resort, not your last hope.

Pray this:
“Father, forgive me for the times I have made prayer an afterthought. Forgive me for relying on my own strength and only running to You when my efforts fail. I acknowledge that without You, I can do nothing. I cultivate a lifestyle of prayer—not occasional, not emergency, but constant. I will pray when I feel like it and when I don’t. I will enquire before every decision. I will wait on You for renewed strength. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Action Steps:

• Examine your prayer life: Do you pray more when you are in trouble and less when things are going well? If so, you are treating prayer as an emergency tool, not a dependency lifeline. Change that this week.
• Set prayer times: Choose specific times each day—morning, noon, evening—and guard them. Do not let anything interrupt your appointment with God.
• Pray before everything: Before you check your phone, before you read email, before you make a call, before you leave the house—pray. Even if it is a 10-second prayer, make it a habit.
• Use the “first resort” test: When a problem arises, notice your first instinct. Do you call someone, Google a solution, or try to figure it out yourself? Train yourself to pray first.
• Wait before you act: This week, before any significant decision, pause and wait on God for at least 10 minutes. Do not move until you have His peace.

• Facebook: RCCG Live

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Download Open Heavens 26 May 2026 Devotional PDF

The Open Heavens 25 May 2026 devotional for today is STRENGTH IS NOT ENOUGH I.

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 24 May 2026 Devotional

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OPEN HEAVENS 25 MAY 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL

TOPIC: STRENGTH IS NOT ENOUGH I

MEMORISE

Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
Jeremiah 17:5

READ: Matthew 26:31-35, 74-75

31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

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RCCG OPEN HEAVENS 25 MAY 2026 TODAY MESSAGE

In Luke 5:1-10, Peter did not fail because he wasn’t diligent, hardworking, or skilful. He had those characteristics, yet he failed. However, when help came from God, he succeeded. Your strength, skills, connections, and diligence are good, but if the Lord is not supporting you, they cannot make you successful.

Psalm 127:1 says:
Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

Except the Lord guides and directs a fellow in his or her decisions, his or her labour will be in vain. Without God’s support, a person will look like a fool who doesn’t know how to get to the city (Ecclesiastes 10:15).

Some young people try to do many things because they think they have the strength to do them. However, the Bible makes us understand that although the glory of the youth is their strength (Proverbs 20:29), they will faint and be weary and utterly fall (Isaiah 40:30). This means that while the strength of the youths can help them achieve some things, it is not enough. It can fail them at some point, but if they wait on the Almighty God, they will be able to soar like eagles.

In today’s Bible reading, Peter felt he was strong enough to withstand temptations, yet he failed. His physical strength was not sufficient to sustain him in the day of adversity. His overconfidence in himself showed when he was sleeping instead of praying (Matthew 26:40-43). Believers who rely on their strength in the face of temptation will fail.

Many have fallen because they felt they were too prayerful to fall into sin. They believed they were too wise and strong to fall into temptation, but eventually, they let their guard down.

1 Corinthians 10:12 warns us never to think that we can stand without God’s help. People who think in such a manner eventually fall. 

Today’s memory verse tells us that a person who puts his confidence in flesh is cursed. Samson didn’t fall the day Delilah called a man to cut off his hair; rather, he started falling the moment he began to trust in his strength. The day a person stops trusting in God is the day his or her downfall begins.

I pray that you will never come to a point where you feel you are strong enough to do without God, in Jesus’ name.

KEY POINT

Put all your trust in God alone.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Esther 1-5

Open Heavens HYMN 8: I Need Thee Every Hour

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 25 MAY 2026 COMMENTARY

MEMORISE: Jeremiah 17:5

“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.”

This verse is a strong warning against self-reliance and human confidence. The word “cursed” is not a casual term—it describes a state of being cut off from God’s blessing. To “make flesh your arm” means to rely on your own strength, your own resources, your own wisdom, as if they were sufficient. The tragedy is not that you use your strength, but that you trust in it instead of God. When your heart departs from the LORD, you are vulnerable, no matter how capable you seem.

BIBLE READING: Matthew 26:31-35, 74-75

This passage records Peter’s boast and his subsequent fall. Jesus told His disciples that they would all be offended because of Him that night. Peter declared, “Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.” Jesus warned him, “Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.” Peter insisted, “Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee.” Hours later, when a servant girl accused him of being with Jesus, Peter denied it with oaths and curses. The cock crowed, and Peter remembered Jesus’ words. This passage demonstrates that self-confidence is not strength—it is a setup for failure. No matter how sincere your intentions, your flesh is not enough to withstand the enemy.

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The Curse of Self-Confidence

In today’s devotional, Pastor E.A. Adeboye addresses a subtle but deadly danger: trusting in your own strength. Your skills, your connections, your diligence, your experience—these are good gifts from God. But when you begin to rely on them instead of Him, you are walking under a curse. The moment you stop trusting in God is the moment your downfall begins.

Peter: The Overconfident Disciple

The Bible reading gives us the classic example of self-confidence leading to failure. Peter was not lazy, unskilled, or cowardly by nature. He was a hardworking fisherman, a natural leader, and the most outspoken of the disciples. He genuinely loved Jesus.

But he trusted in his own strength.

When Jesus warned that all the disciples would fall away, Peter protested: “Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.” He compared himself to others and found himself superior. “They may fall, but not me.”

Jesus gave a specific warning: “Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.” Peter did not back down. “Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee.”

Hours later, Peter denied Jesus three times—with oaths and curses.

What happened? Peter’s strength failed him. His courage evaporated. His resolve crumbled. He who had drawn a sword in the garden now cowered before a servant girl.

Peter did not fall because he was weak. He fell because he thought he was strong.

The Folly of Fleshly Confidence

The devotional makes several observations about trusting in human strength:

1. Your strength is not enough
Isaiah 40:30 says, “Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall.” Youth is the time of greatest physical strength. But even that strength has limits. It can fail you at the critical moment.

2. Your skills cannot replace God’s support
Peter was a skilled fisherman. He knew the sea, the fish, and the nets. But he fished all night and caught nothing. His skill was not enough. When Jesus got into his boat, the nets broke.

3. Your diligence cannot guarantee success
Psalm 127:1 says, “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it.” You can work hard, plan carefully, and execute flawlessly—but if the Lord is not building, your labor is in vain.

4. Your wisdom can make you look foolish
Ecclesiastes 10:15 says, “The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.” Without God’s guidance, you can exhaust yourself trying to reach a destination you cannot find.

The Curse of Trusting in Flesh

The memory verse is severe: “Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm.”

This does not mean you cannot use your strength. It means you cannot trust your strength. The problem is not the arm—it is where you place your confidence.

Samson is the classic example. Samson did not fall the day Delilah called a man to cut his hair. He started falling the moment he began to trust in his strength. He played with sin because he thought, “I am strong enough. I can handle this. I will shake myself free as before.”

But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him.

This is the curse: You can be functioning, active, and confident—while God has left you. You are like a car running on fumes, unaware that the tank is empty.

How Self-Confidence Leads to Downfall

The devotional traces the progression:

1. Overconfidence leads to carelessness
Peter felt so strong that he slept instead of praying in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:40-43). Jesus had told him, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.” But Peter was confident. He didn’t need to pray. He was ready.

2. Carelessness leads to vulnerability
While Peter slept, the enemy was preparing. By the time the servant girl spoke, Peter was caught off guard. His confidence had made him careless, and his carelessness made him vulnerable.

3. Vulnerability leads to failure
When the test came, Peter failed. Not because he was weak, but because he thought he was strong. The one who boasts “I will never fall” is the one most likely to fall.

The Warning for Believers

The devotional quotes 1 Corinthians 10:12: “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”

• The ones who think they are too prayerful to fall—fall.
• The ones who think they are too wise to fall—fall.
• The ones who think they are too strong to fall—fall.

Why? Because thinking you stand is not the same as standing. Confidence in yourself is not the same as confidence in God. And the moment you shift your trust from Him to yourself, your downfall has already begun.

How to Avoid the Curse of Self-Confidence

1. Acknowledge Your Weakness
Paul said, “When I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10). Not when I pretend to be strong. Not when I act strong. When I admit my weakness, God’s strength can flow.

2. Pray Like You Depend on God—Because You Do
Peter slept while Jesus prayed. The result? Peter fell. Jesus stood. The difference was not courage—it was prayer. The one who prays is the one who stands.

3. Never Compare Yourself to Others
Peter said, “Though all men fall away, I will not.” Comparison breeds overconfidence. Others may fall, but that does not mean you will stand. Your standard is not others—it is God.

4. Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart (Proverbs 3:5-6)
The opposite of trusting in flesh is trusting in the Lord. Not part of your heart—all your heart. Not leaning on your own understanding—acknowledging Him in every way.

5. Wait on the Lord
Isaiah 40:31 promises that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings as eagles. They will run and not be weary. They will walk and not faint.

Waiting is not passivity—it is dependency. It is saying, “I will not move until You move. I will not act until You speak.”

The Blessing of Trusting in God

The opposite of the curse in Jeremiah 17 is the blessing in Jeremiah 17:7-8: “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters.”

• His roots go deep.
• He does not fear when heat comes.
• His leaf is green.
• He is not anxious in drought.
• He never ceases to bear fruit.

This is what God wants for you. Not self-confidence that crumbles, but God-confidence that endures.

Conclusion: The Day You Stop Trusting God

The devotional concludes: “The day a person stops trusting in God is the day his or her downfall begins.”

Not the day they sin publicly. Not the day they fall openly. The day they stop trusting. The fall may come later, but the process starts when confidence shifts from God to self.

• Do not let your gifts become your god.
• Do not let your strength become your trust.
• Do not let your past victories make you careless.

Pray like you depend on God—because you do. Watch like you are vulnerable—because you are. Trust like your life depends on it—because it does.

Pray this:
“Father, forgive me for the times I have trusted in my own strength, my own wisdom, my own experience. I renounce the spirit of self-confidence that makes me sleep when I should pray. I acknowledge that without You, I can do nothing. My skills are not enough. My strength is not enough. My diligence is not enough. I wait on You. I trust in You. Be my arm, my strength, my support. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Action Steps:

• Identify areas where you have been self-confident: Where have you stopped praying because you think you have it handled? Write them down.
• Practice dependency prayers: Instead of “I need to do this,” pray “Lord, I cannot do this without You.” Build the habit of acknowledging your weakness.
• Examine your prayer life: Do you pray more when you are in trouble and less when things are going well? If so, you are treating prayer as an emergency tool, not a dependency lifeline.
• Remember Peter: When you feel like saying, “I will never fall,” stop and say instead, “Lord, keep me from falling.”
• Wait before you act: Before making any decision this week, pause and wait on God. Even if it feels unnecessary, build the rhythm of dependency. Your waiting is not wasted—it is worship.

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Download Open Heavens 25 May 2026 Devotional PDF

The Open Heavens 24 May 2026 devotional for today is SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED III.

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 23 May 2026 Devotional

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OPEN HEAVENS 24 MAY 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL

TOPIC: SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED III

MEMORISE

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left
Isaiah 30:21

READ: Genesis 26:1-6

1 And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar.
2 And the Lord appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:
3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;

4 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
6 And Isaac dwelt in Gerar:

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RCCG OPEN HEAVENS 24 MAY 2026 TODAY MESSAGE

Spiritual discernment is crucial for every Christian, especially when making critical life decisions such as choosing a marriage partner, where to live, and who to associate with. Some Christians have married evil people disguised as angels of light because they lacked spiritual discernment. They embraced Jezebels and Nabals – idolatrous and foolish people who can lead them astray and ruin their lives.

Believers need God’s direction to know the right people to marry. For example, when Abraham wanted to choose a wife for Isaac, he gave his servant specific instructions about the type of woman who would be suitable for his son and fit to partake in the covenant God had made with him (Genesis 24:1-8). He told his servant to go to his country and kindred to take a wife for Isaac. This is the first criterion for a Christian’s choice in marriage; he or she must marry a fellow Christian because our country as believers is heaven. Some believers have disregarded this criterion to their detriment

Apart from a believer ensuring that whoever he or she wants to get married to is a Christian, it is also crucial to ask God to show him or her the right person among His numerous children. Some Christian ladies have been carried away by a suitor’s charisma, so they didn’t ask God if he was a suitable spouse for them or not.

Likewise, some Christian men have allowed a lady’s commitment in church to blind them to what God is saying about her character. When it comes to the issue of marriage, a believer cannot afford to be carried away by external things and miss the Holy Spirit’s direction. If you are still single, I pray that you will allow the Lord, and not your emotions, physical preferences, or human calculations, to guide you in your choice of a marriage partner, in Jesus’ name.

Where to live is another crucial decision that requires spiritual discernment. In Genesis 13:10-13, Lot didn’t inquire from God before choosing to pitch his tent towards Sodom. He found himself in the midst of sinners and wicked people, and eventually, he lost his home when God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of the sins of their inhabitants. Only spiritually discerning people will know whether God wants them to relocate or not, and where to relocate to.

Beloved, don’t make critical life decisions based solely on your judgment and understanding. Seek God’s counsel and remain spiritually discerning to know what He wants you to do.

PRAYER POINT

Lord, please help me not to be insensitive to Your guidance.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Nehemiah 11-13

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

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 24 MAY 2026 COMMENTARY

MEMORISE: Isaiah 30:21

“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.”

This verse is a promise of divine guidance for those who are sensitive to God’s voice. The image is striking: a voice behind you, not just ahead—because sometimes you are already moving in the wrong direction, and God calls you back. The guidance is specific: “This is the way” for every turn you face. God does not leave you guessing. He speaks clearly to those who listen.

BIBLE READING: Genesis 26:1-6

This passage records a critical decision in Isaac’s life. A famine arose in the land, and Isaac considered going down to Egypt—the natural and logical choice, because Egypt had food. But God appeared to him and said, “Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of.” Isaac obeyed, stayed in Gerar, and God blessed him. This passage demonstrates that the logical choice is not always the right choice. Spiritual discernment overrides natural reasoning.

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Critical Decisions Require Spiritual Discernment

In today’s devotional, Pastor E.A. Adeboye applies the principle of spiritual discernment to the most important decisions of life: marriage, relocation, and associations. These decisions are not small; they shape your destiny. And they cannot be made on the basis of emotion, appearance, or human logic alone. You need God’s direction.

Choosing a Marriage Partner: The First and Most Critical Decision

The devotional begins with the most important life decision after choosing Christ: choosing a spouse. Some Christians have married evil people disguised as angels of light because they lacked spiritual discernment. They embraced Jezebels (idolatrous, controlling women) and Nabals (foolish, harsh men) who led them astray and ruined their lives.

The first criterion: Marry a fellow believer

Abraham gave his servant specific instructions when choosing a wife for Isaac: go to my country and kindred. Not to the Canaanites. Not to the surrounding pagan nations.

Why? Because a mixed marriage is a covenant between a believer and an unbeliever, and God warns against being unequally yoked (2 Corinthians 6:14). Your “country” as a believer is heaven. Your “kindred” are fellow citizens of that kingdom.

The devotional states plainly: “Some believers have disregarded this criterion to their detriment.”

The second criterion: Ask God for the specific person

Even among believers, not every Christian is the right spouse for you. Some Christian ladies have been carried away by a suitor’s charisma, charm, or wealth—and missed the Holy Spirit’s warning. Some Christian men have been blinded by a lady’s church commitment, her singing voice, or her appearance—and ignored what God was saying about her character.

External things cannot be the basis for marriage.

• Charisma fades.
• Beauty fades.
• Church activity can be performed without a transformed heart.
• What looks like a gift may be a trap.

You need discernment to see past the surface to the character underneath.

The devotional prays for singles: “If you are still single, I pray that you will allow the Lord, and not your emotions, physical preferences, or human calculations, to guide you in your choice of a marriage partner.”

Choosing Where to Live: The Lesson of Lot

The devotional gives the tragic example of Lot. When Abraham gave him the choice of land, Lot looked with his natural eyes and saw the plain of Jordan—well-watered, lush, prosperous. It looked like the garden of the LORD (Genesis 13:10).

He chose based on appearance, not discernment.

What he did not see was the wickedness of the inhabitants. He did not discern that Sodom’s prosperity was built on corruption. He did not hear God’s warning. He pitched his tent toward Sodom, then moved into Sodom, then lost everything when God destroyed the city.

The result: Lot lost his home, his wife became a pillar of salt, and his daughters committed incest with him. His entire family line was corrupted because he made a relocation decision without consulting God.

The lesson: Only spiritually discerning people will know whether God wants them to relocate, where to relocate to, and when to relocate.

Choosing Associations: The Company You Keep

The devotional implies that associations—friends, business partners, close allies—also require discernment. Not everyone who smiles at you is for you. Not everyone who calls you “brother” or “sister” is walking in the same spirit.

• Some people are agents of the enemy disguised as friends.
• Some relationships are assignments from hell to drain your destiny.
• Some partnerships are designed to pull you away from God’s purpose.

Discernment allows you to see who is truly for you and who is secretly against you.

Why Your Judgment Is Not Enough

The devotional warns: “Don’t make critical life decisions based solely on your judgment and understanding.”

Why? Because your judgment is limited. You see what is visible; God sees what is hidden. You see the present; God sees the future. You see the surface; God sees the heart.

What looks logical may be deadly.

• Egypt had food, but God told Isaac not to go there.
• Sodom looked prosperous, but Lot lost everything.
• A suitor may be charming, but his character may be rotten.
• A city may offer jobs, but its spiritual atmosphere may destroy your family.

You cannot afford to rely on your own understanding. You need the voice of God.

How to Make Critical Decisions with Discernment

1. Seek God Before the Decision
Abraham’s servant prayed before he left (Genesis 24:12). He did not wait until he arrived. Seek God before you start looking, before you apply, before you sign any contract.

2. Apply the Biblical Criteria First
Before asking “Is this person right for me?” ask “Is this person a believer?” Before asking “Will this city help my career?” ask “Will this city help my walk with God?” The non-negotiables come first.

3. Listen for the Voice Behind You
The memory verse says the voice comes from behind—because God may need to redirect you from a path you are already on. If you feel unsettled, if you have an uneasy peace, stop and listen. God may be saying, “This is not the way.”

4. Test the Spirit
Not every spiritual impression is from God. Test it against Scripture. Does it align with God’s word? Does godly counsel confirm it? Does it produce peace and clarity, or confusion and pressure?

5. Be Willing to Wait
Rushed decisions are rarely discerning decisions. The enemy pressures you to decide quickly. God gives you time to pray, confirm, and be sure. Do not let impatience cost you your future.

6. Watch for Confirmation
God often confirms His guidance through multiple witnesses—scripture, prayer, circumstances, and godly counsel. If you have only one witness, wait.

The Prayer for Singles

The devotional includes a specific prayer for those seeking a spouse: “If you are still single, I pray that you will allow the Lord, and not your emotions, physical preferences, or human calculations, to guide you in your choice of a marriage partner.”

This is a prayer you should pray for yourself daily if you are single. Surrender your preferences. Surrender your timeline. Surrender your “type.” Let God choose for you. He sees what you cannot see.

The Danger of Ignoring Discernment

The devotional does not sugarcoat the consequences of ignoring spiritual discernment:

• Marriage becomes misery when you marry the wrong person.
• Relocation becomes destruction when you move to the wrong place.
• Associations become traps when you trust the wrong people.

You can avoid these outcomes. Seek God. Listen for His voice. Test every impression. Apply biblical criteria. Be willing to wait.

Do not let emotion, appearance, or human logic override the voice of the Spirit.

Conclusion: This Is the Way

The memory verse promises that when you are sensitive to God, you will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way, walk ye in it.”

• Not a guess.
• Not a hope.
• Not a possibility.
• This is the way.

God will guide you to the right spouse, the right location, the right associations. He will not leave you to stumble through critical decisions alone.

But you must be willing to listen. You must be willing to obey. You must be willing to set aside your own judgment and trust His.

Pray this:
“Father, I come to You as I face critical decisions in my life. Forgive me for the times I have relied on my own judgment, my emotions, my preferences, or human calculations. I surrender my choices to You—my marriage, my location, my associations. Give me spiritual discernment. Let me hear Your voice behind me saying, ‘This is the way.’ Guide me to the right spouse, the right place, the right people. I will not move until You speak. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Action Steps:

• If you are single: Write down your “wish list” for a spouse. Then ask God to override every preference that is not from Him. Surrender your list.
• If you are considering relocation: Before you pack a box, spend a week praying specifically about that location. Ask God for clear confirmation—or clear closure.
• If you are forming new associations: Ask God to reveal the heart of the people you are considering as partners, friends, or allies. Watch their character, not just their charisma.
• Practice listening: This week, before any decision—even small ones—pause and ask, “Lord, is this the way?” Build the habit of seeking before stepping.
• Test your peace: If you have a decision pending and you feel no peace, do not move. Peace is not the only indicator, but the absence of peace is a warning. Wait until clarity comes.

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Read RCCG Open Heavens Devotional for Tomorrow

Download Open Heavens 24 May 2026 Devotional PDF

The Open Heavens 23 May 2026 devotional for today is SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED II.

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 22 May 2026 Devotional

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OPEN HEAVENS 23 MAY 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL

TOPIC: SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED II

MEMORISE

Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
Psalm 13:3

READ: Judges 16:19-21

19 And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him.
20 And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the Lord was departed from him.
21 But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.

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RCCG OPEN HEAVENS 23 MAY 2026 TODAY MESSAGE

There was once a young man who was the secretary of a cult group at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in South-West Nigeria. One day, he gave his life to Christ and decided to leave the cult. Immediately, the other cult members decided to kill him because he knew their secrets.

One night, after arriving in his hostel from the library, he was very tired, so he said a quick prayer and got on his bed to sleep. As he lay on his bed, the Holy Spirit nudged him to get up and pray. He got on his knees, said another short prayer, and tried to sleep again. However, he got another nudge to pray, and he just thought to himself, “Well, let me pray just as God wants.” He did so, and as he got up from his knees, he saw a huge demon with charms all over its body walk into his room, even though the door was locked.

The demon made its way towards him, and he immediately started rebuking it in Jesus’ name. Slowly, the demon retreated from the room.

When he told me about the incident, I asked him, “Are you sure you weren’t dreaming?” He replied, “I’d have thought I was dreaming too; however, because of how I shouted when rebuking the demon, my roommate moved on his bed, and as he did so, his leg touched the demon as it retreated. My roommate’s leg, which touched the demon, swelled to three times its normal size, and he spent a year treating it.” Being spiritually discerning can be the difference between life and death.

As we read in Balaam’s story yesterday, disobedience to God’s instructions can prevent a Christian from discerning spiritual things. Are there instructions the Lord has given you to follow? Don’t try to negotiate your way out of complete obedience to Him. Always obey God’s instructions, because it will make your heart more sensitive to hearing Him.

Toying with sin will make a believer become spiritually dull. Samson didn’t know when his hair was cut because sin had made him spiritually dull. He was fast asleep and didn’t know that he was in trouble until Delilah woke him up. When he awoke, he wanted to fight the Philistines as he had always done, but he was unaware that God had left him.

Beloved, flee disobedience and sin so that you will remain spiritually discerning. May you not become spiritually insensitive and sleep the sleep of death, in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER POINT

Father, please help me to obey You at all times so I never become spiritually insensitive

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Nehemiah 8-10

Open Heavens HYMN 30: WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 23 MAY 2026 COMMENTARY

MEMORISE: Psalm 13:3

“Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death.”

This verse is a desperate prayer for spiritual awakening. David fears not physical death but spiritual slumber—a state where his eyes become heavy, his discernment dims, and he becomes vulnerable to the enemy. He asks God to “lighten” his eyes, to restore clarity and alertness. The “sleep of death” is not just physical cessation; it is the state of being alive but unaware, awake but insensitive, breathing but blind to danger.

BIBLE READING: Judges 16:19-21

This passage records the tragic downfall of Samson. Delilah had been trying to discover the secret of his strength. Finally, after days of nagging, Samson told her that his strength lay in his uncut hair—his Nazirite vow to God. Delilah lulled him to sleep on her lap, called a man to shave off the seven locks of his head, and then woke him saying, “The Philistines be upon thee, Samson.” He awoke thinking he would shake himself free as before, but “he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.” The Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes, and bound him to grind grain in prison. This passage demonstrates that sin dulls your spiritual senses to the point where you don’t even realize when God has left you.

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The Sleep of Spiritual Insensitivity

In today’s devotional, Pastor E.A. Adeboye continues his teaching on spiritual discernment. He moves from Balaam’s blindness to Samson’s slumber. Both men had great spiritual gifts, but both became spiritually insensitive. The result? Balaam walked into danger, and Samson woke up in chains.

The Testimony of the Cult Secretary

The devotional opens with a powerful testimony that illustrates the life-or-death importance of spiritual discernment. A young man at the University of Ife had been the secretary of a cult group. When he gave his life to Christ and left the cult, his former brothers decided to kill him because he knew their secrets.

One night, he returned from the library exhausted. He said a quick prayer and went to bed. But the Holy Spirit nudged him to get up and pray. He got on his knees, said another short prayer, and tried to sleep again. Another nudge. He thought, “Well, let me pray just as God wants.”

He prayed earnestly. As he got up from his knees, he saw a huge demon—covered with charms—walk into his room. The door was locked, but the demon entered anyway. The young man began rebuking the demon in the name of Jesus, and slowly, the demon retreated.

When he told Daddy Adeboye about the incident, the General Overseer asked if he might have been dreaming. The young man’s response was chilling: “I’d have thought I was dreaming too; however, because of how I shouted when rebuking the demon, my roommate moved on his bed, and as he did so, his leg touched the demon as it retreated. My roommate’s leg, which touched the demon, swelled to three times its normal size, and he spent a year treating it.”

This is not a dream. This is the spiritual realm intersecting with the physical world.

The lesson: If this young man had ignored the Holy Spirit’s nudging and gone to sleep, he would have been dead by morning. His spiritual discernment—his sensitivity to the Spirit’s prompting—was the difference between life and death.

Samson: The Mighty Man Who Didn’t Know God Had Left

The Bible reading gives us the tragic example of Samson. He was a man with a supernatural calling. He was a Nazirite from birth. The Spirit of the Lord moved upon him mightily. He killed a lion with his bare hands, destroyed 30 Philistines, and slaughtered 1,000 with the jawbone of a donkey.

But sin dulled his senses.

Delilah had been sent to discover the secret of his strength. She nagged him day after day. Finally, he told her the truth: his strength lay in his uncut hair—the sign of his consecration to God.

Notice what happened next:

• She lulled him to sleep on her lap.
• She called a man to shave off the seven locks of his head.
• She woke him saying, “The Philistines be upon thee, Samson.”
• He awoke and thought, “I will go out as at other times, and shake myself free.”

But the Bible records the most tragic words in his story: “He wist not that the LORD was departed from him.”

Samson didn’t know. He thought he was still strong. He thought he could still fight. He thought the presence of God was still with him. But sin had made him spiritually dull. He was fast asleep while his hair was being cut. He didn’t know he was in trouble until Delilah woke him. And by then, it was too late.

The Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes, and bound him to grind grain in prison.

The Connection Between Obedience and Discernment

The devotional draws a direct line between obedience and spiritual sensitivity.

“Disobedience to God’s instructions can prevent a Christian from discerning spiritual things.”

• Balaam wanted to go because of money, so God had to speak through a donkey to get his attention.
• Samson toyed with sin, so he lost his strength without even realizing it.
• The young man obeyed the Holy Spirit’s nudging, and his life was saved.

When you obey God promptly and completely, your heart becomes more sensitive to hearing Him. When you negotiate, delay, or disobey, your spiritual senses grow dull. You become like Samson—strong in your own mind but powerless in reality.

How Sin Dulls Your Spiritual Senses

1. Sin Makes You Sleep When You Should Be Alert
Samson was fast asleep while Delilah cut his hair. The young man was exhausted, but the Holy Spirit woke him. Sin makes you comfortable at the wrong times. It makes you rest when you should be praying.

2. Sin Makes You Think You Are Still Strong
Samson thought, “I will go out as at other times.” He didn’t feel any different. His muscles still felt strong. His confidence was still high. But the source of his strength was gone. Sin deceives you into thinking nothing has changed while everything has changed.

3. Sin Makes You Blind to Danger
Samson didn’t see the Philistines coming. He woke up already captured. The young man, because he was sensitive to the Spirit, saw the demon entering and fought it. Sin blinds you to the enemy’s approach.

4. Sin Makes You Lose What You Never Realized You Lost
The most tragic phrase in Scripture: “He wist not that the LORD was departed from him.” Samson lost God’s presence without knowing it. You can lose your anointing, your protection, your discernment—and not even realize it until disaster strikes.

How to Stay Spiritually Alert

1. Flee Disobedience
The devotional says: “Flee disobedience and sin so that you will remain spiritually discerning.” Not resist—flee. Not negotiate—flee. Run from anything that would dull your senses.

2. Obey Promptly
When the Holy Spirit nudges you to pray, pray. When He tells you to speak, speak. When He warns you to stop, stop. Do not delay. Do not negotiate. Prompt obedience keeps your spiritual senses sharp.

3. Check Your Spiritual Vital Signs Regularly
Ask yourself:

• Do I still hunger for God’s word?
• Do I still sense His presence in prayer?
• Am I still sensitive to His promptings?
• Is there any unconfessed sin blocking my connection?

If the answer to any of these is troubling, stop everything and seek Him.

4. Pray for Lightened Eyes
The memory verse is a prayer: “Lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death.” Pray this daily. Ask God to keep your spiritual eyes open, alert, and sensitive.

5. Stay in the Company of the Awake
The young man was in a room with a roommate who later suffered from touching the demon. But the roommate was not the one who saw the danger. Stay close to believers who are spiritually discerning. Their alertness can protect you.

Conclusion: Don’t Sleep the Sleep of Death

Samson woke up blind, bound, and grinding grain in a prison. The man who had killed a thousand Philistines with a donkey’s jawbone became a laughingstock for his enemies. All because he played with sin and lost his discernment.

Do not let this be you.

• When the Holy Spirit nudges you to pray, pray.
• When He warns you to stop, stop.
• When He prompts you to obey, obey.

Your spiritual discernment is the difference between life and death. It is the difference between victory and captivity. It is the difference between finishing your race and grinding in prison.

Pray this:
“Father, lighten my eyes. I do not want to sleep the sleep of death. Forgive me for the times I have been like Samson—playing with sin, ignoring Your warnings, thinking I was still strong when Your presence had departed. Sharpen my spiritual senses. Help me to obey promptly when You speak. Let me never be caught unaware by the enemy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Action Steps:

• Identify any area of disobedience: Is there an instruction from God that you have been delaying or negotiating? Obey it today.
• Check for “Samson” patterns: Are there areas where you have been toying with sin, thinking you can handle it? Flee today.
• Practice immediate obedience: This week, when you sense the Holy Spirit prompting you—even in small things—obey immediately. Build your sensitivity.
• Pray Psalm 13:3 daily: Write it down. Pray it every morning: “Lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death.”
• Stay awake: If you find yourself spiritually drowsy—no hunger for the Word, no desire for prayer, no sensitivity to the Spirit—stop everything and seek God. Do not let the drowsiness deepen into sleep.

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Read RCCG Open Heavens Devotional for Tomorrow

Download Open Heavens 23 May 2026 Devotional PDF

The Open Heavens 22 May 2026 devotional for today is SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED I.

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 21 May 2026 Devotional

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OPEN HEAVENS 22 MAY 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL

TOPIC: SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED I

MEMORISE

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Corinthians 2:14

READ: Numbers 22:22-33

22 And God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.
23 And the ass saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
24 But the angel of the Lord stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
25 And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall: and he smote her again.

26 And the angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
27 And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
28 And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? and he said, Nay.

31 Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.
32 And the angel of the Lord said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:
33 And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.

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RCCG OPEN HEAVENS 22 MAY 2026 TODAY MESSAGE

Today’s memory verse tells us that the natural man cannot understand the things of God because they are spiritually discerned. This means that such a fellow cannot follow God’s direction, as he or she cannot understand spiritual things and will even consider them foolish. Those who walk in the spirit, however, know how to discern spiritual things.

For instance, when it seems that several people are trying to get a Christian angry, it could be that the devil is seeking to open a window through which he can attack him or her. If the believer cannot spiritually discern the devil’s plan, he or she might eventually give in to anger, thereby giving the devil access to carry out his attack.

Likewise, if a Christian keeps encountering people in need, especially if they are fellow Christians, it could be that God wants the believer to help them so that He can open windows of blessings over his or her life. However, if the Christian cannot spiritually discern what is happening and ignores the people in need, he or she would miss out on God’s blessing.

Spiritual discernment is crucial in the journey of every Christian.

A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
Proverbs 22:3

In today’s Bible reading, Balaam’s donkey began to behave strangely when he was on his way to meet Balak despite God’s initial instruction forbidding him from going (Numbers 22:12). Balaam was so spiritually insensitive that he didn’t know the actions of the donkey were for his own good. When his donkey didn’t move as he wanted it to and kept turning away from the path it was supposed to take, he hit it in an attempt to force it to obey him.

Even when the donkey spoke, which was very strange, Balaam was too spiritually insensitive to sense the danger ahead until God opened his eyes.

I pray that your spiritual senses will be sharpened enough to see any dangers that are ahead of you, and you will be prudent enough to hide yourself, in Jesus’ name.

The lack of spiritual discernment has destroyed so many homes and ended so many lives prematurely. This is why spiritual discernment is a must-have for you in your walk with God, relationship with others, and dealings with the world.

I pray that the Almighty God, in His mercy, will sharpen your discernment and help you see things as they really are, in Jesus’ name.

ACTION POINT

Father, please help me to discern spiritual matters and see things as they truly are.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Nehemiah 4-7

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

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 22 MAY 2026 COMMENTARY

MEMORISE: 1 Corinthians 2:14

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

This verse draws a clear line between two kinds of people: the natural man and the spiritual man. The natural man operates only with his five senses—seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, smelling. He cannot receive spiritual things because they make no sense to his natural mind. He considers them foolish. Spiritual things are not discovered through intellect or education—they are spiritually discerned. You need the Holy Spirit to see what is really happening.

BIBLE READING: Numbers 22:22-33

This passage records the strange story of Balaam and his donkey. Balaam was a prophet who had been hired by King Balak to curse Israel. God told Balaam not to go, but Balaam persisted. God allowed him to go but sent an angel to block the way. Balaam could not see the angel, but his donkey could. The donkey turned aside, then crushed Balaam’s foot against a wall, then lay down under him. Each time, Balaam beat the donkey. Finally, God opened the donkey’s mouth, and it spoke: “What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?” Then God opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel standing in the path with a drawn sword. This passage demonstrates that spiritual discernment is not automatic—even prophets can be blind to danger, and God may use the most unlikely messengers to warn us.

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The Crisis of Spiritual Insensitivity

In today’s devotional, Pastor E.A. Adeboye addresses one of the most critical needs for every believer: spiritual discernment. Without it, you cannot understand God’s direction, recognize the enemy’s traps, or perceive divine opportunities. Lack of spiritual discernment has destroyed homes, ended lives prematurely, and derailed many who started well.

The Natural Man vs. The Spiritual Man

The memory verse establishes that the natural man cannot understand spiritual things. This means:

• He cannot follow God’s direction because God’s guidance often contradicts natural logic.
• He cannot recognize the enemy’s schemes because the enemy operates in the spiritual realm.
• He cannot perceive divine appointments because they often look like ordinary circumstances.

The spiritual man, however, knows how to discern spiritual things. He sees beyond the surface. He understands that not every situation is what it appears to be.

Two Everyday Examples

The devotional gives two common scenarios where spiritual discernment is essential:

1. When People Try to Anger You
Several people may be trying to get you angry—insults, provocations, misunderstandings. The natural man sees only the people and reacts in the flesh. But the spiritual man discerns that the devil is seeking to open a window through which he can attack.

If you give in to anger, you give the devil access. Your reaction is not just about the person who offended you—it is about the spiritual door you are opening. Discernment allows you to see the trap and refuse to walk into it.

2. When You Keep Encountering People in Need
You may keep meeting fellow believers who need help—financial, emotional, practical. The natural man sees inconvenience, expense, and interruption. But the spiritual man discerns that God is positioning him to help so that God can open windows of blessing over his life.

Your response to need determines your release of blessing. If you ignore the people in need, you miss out on what God wanted to give you through them. Discernment allows you to see the divine appointment hidden in the ordinary encounter.

Balaam: The Prophet Who Couldn’t See

The Bible reading gives a shocking example of spiritual blindness. Balaam was a prophet—a man who regularly heard from God. Yet he was completely oblivious to the danger ahead.

What happened:

• God had told Balaam not to go with Balak’s men (Numbers 22:12).
• Balaam wanted to go, so God allowed him but sent an angel to block the way.
• Balaam could not see the angel, but his donkey could.
• The donkey turned aside, then crushed Balaam’s foot, then lay down.
• Each time, Balaam beat the donkey—angry, frustrated, completely missing the message.
• Finally, God opened the donkey’s mouth, and it spoke.
• Only then did God open Balaam’s eyes to see the angel with a drawn sword.

Notice the irony: A donkey had more spiritual discernment than a prophet. The animal saw what the man of God could not see.

Balaam was so spiritually insensitive that:

• He didn’t know the donkey’s strange behavior was for his own good.
• He beat the animal that was trying to save his life.
• He didn’t sense the danger even when a donkey spoke to him.

This is what happens when spiritual discernment is dull. You cannot see the danger ahead. You cannot recognize divine warnings. You keep beating the very things God is using to protect you.

Why Spiritual Discernment Is a Must-Have

The devotional states plainly: “The lack of spiritual discernment has destroyed so many homes and ended so many lives prematurely.”

Without discernment:

• You cannot tell when a relationship is being used by the enemy to destroy you.
• You cannot tell when a financial opportunity is a trap, not a blessing.
• You cannot tell when a person is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
• You cannot tell when your own desires are leading you away from God’s will.
• You cannot tell when God is speaking through unlikely messengers.

With discernment, you become like the prudent man in Proverbs 22:3: “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.”

• The prudent sees danger ahead and takes cover.
• The simple walks right into it and suffers the consequences.

How to Sharpen Your Spiritual Discernment

1. Walk in the Spirit
The memory verse says spiritual things are spiritually discerned. If you are not walking in the Spirit, you cannot discern spiritual things. Walking in the Spirit means staying connected to God through prayer, the Word, and obedience. It means being sensitive to His promptings throughout the day.

2. Value the Unlikely Messengers
Balaam ignored his donkey because he thought he was too important to learn from an animal. Do not despise the messengers God sends—even if they are younger, less educated, or lower in status. God can speak through anyone.

3. Pay Attention to Strange Behavior
When things start happening out of the ordinary—delays, closed doors, unusual obstacles—do not just get frustrated. Ask God: Is there something You are trying to show me? Is this a warning or an attack?

4. Check Your Desires
Balaam wanted to go because of the money Balak offered. His desire clouded his discernment. When you want something badly enough, you become blind to the danger. Surrender your desires to God before they become traps.

5. Pray for Discernment Daily
Discernment is not automatic—it is cultivated. Ask God daily to sharpen your spiritual senses. Pray: “Lord, help me to see things as they really are, not as they appear.”

6. Test Everything
1 Thessalonians 5:21 says, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” Do not accept every spiritual impression as from God. Test it against Scripture, against godly counsel, and against the character of God.

The Prayer for Sharpened Senses

The devotional ends with two powerful prayers:

“I pray that your spiritual senses will be sharpened enough to see any dangers that are ahead of you, and you will be prudent enough to hide yourself.”

“I pray that the Almighty God, in His mercy, will sharpen your discernment and help you see things as they really are.”

These are prayers you should pray for yourself daily. Your natural eyes see the surface. Your spiritual eyes see the reality behind the surface.

Conclusion: Don’t Be Like Balaam

Balaam was a prophet, but he was blind. He beat the donkey that was saving his life. He walked toward danger while thinking he was walking toward opportunity.

Do not let this be you.

• When people provoke you, discern the trap behind the insult.
• When needs appear, discern the blessing hidden in the help.
• When doors close, discern the protection behind the delay.
• When strange things happen, discern the warning beneath the surface.

Ask God for discernment. Value His messengers—even the unlikely ones. Walk in the Spirit. And see things as they really are.

Pray this:
“Father, I ask You to sharpen my spiritual discernment. Forgive me for the times I have been like Balaam—blind to danger, beating the very things You sent to save me. Open my eyes to see things as they really are. Help me to discern the enemy’s traps before I walk into them. Help me to discern divine opportunities before I miss them. Let me not be simple, passing on to punishment. Let me be prudent, foreseeing evil and hiding myself. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Action Steps:

• Identify an area where you have been frustrated by delays or obstacles: Ask God: Is this a warning? Is there something You are trying to show me?
• Pay attention to “small” messengers: This week, listen carefully to people you might normally dismiss. God may be speaking through them.
• Pray for discernment daily: Add this to your morning prayers: “Lord, sharpen my discernment today. Help me to see what is really happening.”
• Check your desires: Is there something you want so badly that you are ignoring warning signs? Surrender it to God before it becomes a trap.
• Test before you trust: When you receive a spiritual impression, test it. Does it align with Scripture? Does godly counsel confirm it? Does it honor God?

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Read RCCG Open Heavens Devotional for Tomorrow

Download Open Heavens 22 May 2026 Devotional PDF

The Open Heavens 21 May 2026 devotional for today is GOD ABOVE ALL.

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 20 May 2026 Devotional

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OPEN HEAVENS 21 MAY 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL

TOPIC: GOD ABOVE ALL

MEMORISE

For 1 know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.
Psalm 135:5

READ: Psalm 95:1-6

1 O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
3 For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.
5 The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.
6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.

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RCCG OPEN HEAVENS 21 MAY 2026 TODAY MESSAGE

In Exodus 7:10, when Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh bearing a message from the Lord, they demonstrated the power of the One who sent them by casting down Aaron’s rod, and it turned into a snake. The Egyptian magicians also turned their rods into snakes, but it soon became obvious that all power belongs to God, as the snake from Aaron’s rod swallowed all the magicians’ snakes.

The devil might attempt to copy God, but he will always fail because God is above all (1 Chronicles 29:11-12). For instance, the devil has given many people wealth through various unholy means, but my God is the only One who gives power to get wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18). Furthermore, the wealth that comes from God’s blessing is without sorrow (Proverbs 10:22).

The Almighty God can change the unchangeable.

He can take a beggar from a dunghill and cause him or her to dine with princes (1 Samuel 2:8). He can also do the impossible. In one night, He delivered His people from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12:31-33). He also provided food for them for 40 years in the wilderness. He fed them with the food of angels and gave them meat throughout their journey to the Promised Land (Psalm 78:24-25).

Furthermore, they didn’t need new clothes or shoes because their clothes and shoes did not wear out (Deuteronomy 29:5). The God who did all these wonders can do exceeding abundantly above all you can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). He can meet your needs effortlessly because the cattle upon a thousand hills are His (Psalm 50:10), and all the silver and gold in the world belong to Him (Haggai 2:8). He owns the whole earth and everything within it (Psalm 24:1). He is God above all gods (2 Chronicles 2:5; the King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6.15).

Beloved, isn’t it amazing that the One who is above all is your Father? He has given you access to all His wisdom, riches, glory, power, grace, and goodness, and all He expects from you is your praise and worship.

He expects your love and devotion, and He truly deserves it all. If you really want God’s special attention and you want to experience His almightiness, ask Him to give you a heart of worship today because He will give His attention, which will come with all that He has, to those who worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24).

PRAYER POINT

Father, thank you for calling me your own. Please, give me a heart that loves to worship you at all times.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Nehemiah 1-3

Open Heavens HYMN 18: PRAISE TO THE LORD THE ALMIGHTY

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 21 MAY 2026 COMMENTARY

MEMORISE: Psalm 135:5

“For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.”

This verse is a declaration of God’s absolute supremacy. The psalmist does not say “I think” or “I hope.” He says “I know.” This is settled conviction. The LORD is not just one god among many—He is above all gods. Whatever else claims power, authority, or worship is beneath Him. This knowledge is not just theology; it is the foundation for confidence in every battle.

BIBLE READING: Psalm 95:1-6

“O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.”

This passage is a call to worship based on God’s greatness. The psalmist lists reasons for worship: God is the rock of our salvation, a great King above all gods, the owner of the earth’s depths and the hills’ strength, the creator of the sea and dry land. Worship is not optional—it is the appropriate response to who God is. And when you worship, you position yourself to experience His power.

Our God Is Above All

In today’s devotional, Pastor E.A. Adeboye brings us to the foundational truth that undergirds every other message: our God is above all. He is above every god, every power, every principality, every problem, and every enemy. When you truly understand this, fear loses its grip and faith takes over.

The Snake That Swallowed the Other Snakes

The devotional opens with a powerful illustration from Exodus 7. Moses and Aaron stood before Pharaoh, bearing a message from the Lord. Aaron cast down his rod, and it turned into a snake. The Egyptian magicians, operating by the power of the devil, did the same. Their rods also became snakes.

At first glance, it looked like a draw. God’s power and the devil’s power seemed equal. But then something happened: Aaron’s snake swallowed the magicians’ snakes.

This is the nature of our God. He does not just compete with the enemy—He consumes him. He does not just match power—He surpasses it. He is above all.

The devil may attempt to copy God, but he will always fail. His counterfeits may look convincing for a moment, but they cannot stand against the real thing.

What the Devil Copies and Where He Fails

The devotional acknowledges that the devil does have some power. He can give wealth. He can perform signs. He can deceive.

But his copies always come with fatal flaws:

1. The devil’s wealth comes with sorrow
Deuteronomy 8:18 says that God gives the power to get wealth. When God gives wealth, it comes without sorrow (Proverbs 10:22). But the devil’s wealth—through fraud, gambling, rituals, or exploitation—always carries hidden pain. The money is there, but peace is gone.

2. The devil’s power is limited
The magicians could turn rods into snakes, but they could not turn snakes back into rods. They could mimic some plagues, but they could not stop the plagues. They could match a few signs, but they were powerless before the finger of God.

3. The devil’s solutions are temporary
The wealth the devil gives does not last. The success he offers crumbles. The protection he promises fails. Only what God gives is permanent.

The God Who Does the Impossible

The devotional lists some of the impossible things God has done:

He changes the unchangeable. He took a beggar from the dunghill and made him dine with princes (1 Samuel 2:8). Your past does not determine your future with God.

He delivers in one night. In a single night, Israel went from slavery to freedom (Exodus 12:31-33). Your long-standing bondage can end tonight.

He provides for decades. For 40 years in the wilderness, God fed Israel with angel’s food and gave them meat. Their clothes did not wear out, and their feet did not swell (Deuteronomy 29:5). God does not just deliver—He sustains.

He owns everything. The cattle on a thousand hills belong to Him (Psalm 50:10). All the silver and gold are His (Haggai 2:8). The earth and everything in it is His (Psalm 24:1). He is never short of resources.

He can do exceeding abundantly above all you can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). Not just what you ask—above it. Not just what you think—abundantly above it.

The Father Who Gives You Access to All He Has

The devotional makes a stunning declaration: “Isn’t it amazing that the One who is above all is your Father?”

Because He is your Father, you have access to:

• His wisdom
• His riches
• His glory
• His power
• His grace
• His goodness

All He expects from you is your praise and worship. He does not need your money—He owns everything. He does not need your strength—He is almighty. He does not need your connections—He is above all. What He wants is your heart. He wants your love and devotion.

The Key That Unlocks His Almighty Power

The devotional ends with a crucial key: worship. If you want God’s special attention, if you want to experience His almightiness in your life, ask Him to give you a heart of worship.

Why worship?

• Worship positions you in His presence.
• Worship humbles you before His greatness.
• Worship shifts your focus from your problem to His power.
• Worship invites His attention.

John 4:23-24 says: “The true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

God is seeking worshippers. He is not hiding from you—He is looking for you. He wants to give His attention, which will come with all that He has, to those who worship Him.

How to Worship in Spirit and Truth

1. Worship with Your Whole Heart
Not just your lips. Not just your attendance. Your whole heart. The psalmist says, “Let us make a joyful noise.” Joyful. Not dutiful. Not routine. Joyful.

2. Worship with Thanksgiving
“Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving.” Gratitude is the doorway to worship. When you thank God for what He has done, you remember who He is.

3. Worship with Humility
“Let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.” Worship is not standing on your dignity—it is kneeling before His. It is acknowledging that He is above and you are beneath.

4. Worship in Spirit
Not just ritual. Not just tradition. Worship that flows from your spirit, energized by the Holy Spirit. It is alive, not mechanical.

5. Worship in Truth
Not pretending. Not performing. Worship that is honest about who you are and who He is. Truthful worship acknowledges your need and His sufficiency.

Conclusion: The Above-All God Is Your Father

The devil may have power, but your Father is above all. The enemy may have weapons, but your Father owns everything. The world may have its gods, but your Father is the King of kings and Lord of lords.

• Do not fear the devil’s counterfeits—your God’s snake swallows them.
• Do not envy the world’s wealth—your God’s blessing comes without sorrow.
• Do not despair over your situation—your God can do the impossible.
• Do not doubt His provision—He owns the cattle on a thousand hills.

And all of this is available to you because He is your Father. All He asks is your worship.

Give it to Him today. Worship Him in spirit and truth. And watch the God who is above all move on your behalf.

Pray this:
“Father, I declare that You are above all gods. You are the King of kings and Lord of lords. You own everything—the cattle on a thousand hills, the silver and gold, the earth and everything in it. Forgive me for the times I have feared the enemy’s power or envied the world’s wealth. Give me a heart of worship. Let me worship You in spirit and truth. I give You my love and devotion. I receive access to Your wisdom, riches, glory, power, grace, and goodness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Action Steps:

• Identify what you have been fearing: Is there an enemy, a problem, or a lack that has been intimidating you? Remind yourself: My God is above all.
• Identify what you have been envying: Is there wealth or success you have been coveting? Remember: The devil’s blessings come with sorrow. Wait for God’s sorrow-free blessing.
• Make worship a daily practice: Set aside time each day specifically for worship—not prayer requests, not Bible study, just worship. Sing, bow, kneel, and declare His greatness.
• Thank Him for access: Thank God that because He is your Father, you have access to all He has. Do not beg—receive.
• Declare Psalm 135:5 daily: “I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.” Say it until it settles in your heart.

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The Open Heavens 20 May 2026 devotional for today is DIVINE HEALTH.

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 19 May 2026 Devotional

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OPEN HEAVENS 20 MAY 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL

TOPIC: DIVINE HEALTH

MEMORISE

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

READ: Isaiah 55:10-11

10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

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RCCG OPEN HEAVENS 20 MAY 2026 TODAY MESSAGE

Psalm 105:37 tells us that when the Israelites were leaving Egypt, not a single one of them was feeble, meaning that the young and old were healthy and strong. Those who had suffered in the hands of the taskmasters suddenly became strong and healthy as they ate the Passover meal and prepared to leave Egypt. If God divinely healed people who had been constantly beaten and maltreated before they came out of slavery and kept their feet from being swollen for 40 years in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 8:4), He can grant you divine health as well.

No matter how long a person has been ill or how severe the sickness is, God can heal the person completely. In John 5:5-2, it took only one word from Jesus to heal a man who had been sick for 38 years in an instant. Psalm 107:20 tells us that when God sends His word, healing and deliverance follow.

Sicknesses and diseases cannot stand the power of God’s word. When He sends His word, it never returns to Him without accomplishing what He has sent it to do. Today’s Bible reading tells us that just as rain and snow come upon the earth’s surface to water it and make it fruitful, God’s word always prospers wherever He sends it.

A word from Jesus was enough to heal a nobleman’s son in John 4:46-54. Jesus spoke the word where He was in Cana of Galilee, and the boy was instantly healed far away in Capernaum. God’s word cannot be hindered by space or time or slowed down in any way.

In Matthew 8:5-13, all that was required to heal a centurion’s grievously ill servant was a word from Jesus. The Syrophoenician’s daughter also experienced miraculous and instant deliverance when God released His word over her situation (Mark 7:24-30).

God’s word spoken through His servants and believed in faith can bring healing to the sick.

However, His word, as it is written in the Bible, is also more than enough to bring a fellow healing if he or she believes.

Beloved, if you have any sickness in your body, the word of God has provided for your healing already – all you need to do is believe. Beyond believing God for healing, however, He wants you to live in divine health, as echoed by Apostle John in today’s memory verse. Again, all you need to do is believe in His word.

I pray that you will never experience any form of sickness henceforth, in Jesus’ name.

KEY POINT

Beyond trusting God for healing, also trust Him for divine health.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Ezra 8-10

Open Heavens HYMN 25: THE GREAT PHYSICIAN NOW IS NEAR

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 20 MAY 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 reveals God’s heart for His children. The Apostle John expresses God’s desire for believers to prosper in every area—spiritually, physically, and materially. The phrase “above all things” indicates priority. God is not indifferent to your health. He is not detached from your physical well-being. He wants you to be healthy just as your soul prospers. Your spiritual health and physical health are meant to move together.

BIBLE READING: Isaiah 55:10-11

“For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

This passage uses the imagery of rain and snow to describe the effectiveness of God’s word. Just as rain never falls without watering the earth and producing fruit, God’s word never goes out without accomplishing its purpose. When God sends His word to heal, it heals. When He sends it to deliver, it delivers. The word does not return empty. It prospers in the thing for which it was sent.

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Divine Health: God’s Original and Ongoing Plan

In today’s devotional, Pastor E.A. Adeboye brings a message of hope and wholeness. He moves beyond healing—which is the restoration of health—to divine health, which is the uninterrupted enjoyment of health. God does not only want to heal you when you are sick; He wants to keep you from sickness altogether.

The Israelites: A Nation Without One Feeble Person

The devotional opens with a staggering testimony from Psalm 105:37: when the Israelites left Egypt, not a single one of them was feeble. Hundreds of thousands of people—men, women, children, the elderly—all strong, all healthy.

Think about what this means. These people had been slaves. They had been beaten by taskmasters. They had been overworked and underfed. Their bodies should have been broken. Their health should have been destroyed.

But they ate the Passover meal, and something happened. God divinely healed them before they left Egypt. The ones who had suffered in slavery suddenly became strong and healthy.

And the miracle did not stop there. Deuteronomy 8:4 says that for forty years in the wilderness, their feet did not swell, and their clothes did not wear out. Forty years of walking through desert terrain, and their bodies were preserved.

If God could do that for Israel, He can grant you divine health as well.

Healing Is Instantaneous for God

The devotional points out that no matter how long a person has been ill or how severe the sickness is, God can heal completely and instantly.

The man at Bethesda (John 5:5-9): 38 years of sickness ended in a moment with one word from Jesus. Not a process, not a gradual recovery—instantaneous.

The nobleman’s son (John 4:46-54): Jesus spoke the word in Cana, and the boy was healed in Capernaum—miles away. God’s word is not hindered by space or time.

The centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:5-13): Jesus did not even go to the house. He simply spoke, and the servant was healed.

The Syrophoenician’s daughter (Mark 7:24-30): Jesus spoke a word from a distance, and the demon left the girl.

What do all these have in common? The word of God was spoken, and healing followed. No delay. No partial improvement. Complete and instantaneous restoration.

The Power of God’s Word Over Sickness

The Bible reading from Isaiah 55 establishes a principle: God’s word never returns void. When He sends it, it accomplishes what He pleases and prospers in the thing for which He sent it.

• If God sends His word to heal, it heals.
• If God sends His word to deliver, it delivers.
• If God sends His word to restore, it restores.

Sickness and disease cannot stand against the power of God’s word. They have no choice but to obey. The same voice that spoke light into darkness can speak health into your body.

How to Receive Healing and Divine Health

The devotional gives a clear path for receiving healing:

1. Believe That Healing Is Already Provided
The word of God has already provided for your healing. Isaiah 53:5 says, “By His stripes we are healed.” Past tense. The provision was made at the cross. Healing is not something you beg God to do—it is something you receive by faith.

2. Receive God’s Word
Psalm 107:20 says, “He sent His word, and healed them.” The word of God carries healing power. When you read the Bible, you are not just reading ancient history—you are receiving medicine for your soul and body. Proverbs 4:22 says God’s words are “life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.”

3. Speak God’s Word Over Your Body
The centurion understood authority. He said to Jesus, “Speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.” You have the same authority. Speak God’s word over your body. Say, “By His stripes, I am healed.” Say, “The Lord is my healer.” Say, “I will not die but live.”

4. Believe Beyond Healing to Divine Health
The devotional challenges believers to move from healing to divine health. Healing is the restoration of health after sickness. Divine health is the prevention of sickness altogether.

3 John 2 expresses God’s desire: “I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”

This means:

• Your spiritual health and physical health are connected.
• As you grow spiritually, God wants your body to reflect that growth.
• Sickness is not God’s will for you—health is.

What Divine Health Looks Like

Divine health does not mean you never feel tired or never experience physical challenges. It means:

• You are not subject to chronic illness.
• Your body is resilient and recovers quickly.
• You are not dependent on medication to function.
• Your health does not limit your ability to serve God.
• You finish your race strong, not broken down.

The Israelites wandered for 40 years, and their feet did not swell. That is divine health.

How to Position Yourself for Divine Health

1. Believe God’s Word Over Medical Reports
Medical reports are information—they are not final authority. God’s word is final authority. When the report says one thing and God’s word says another, believe God’s word.

2. Feed on God’s Word Daily
Proverbs 4:20-22 gives a prescription: “Attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings… they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.” Daily Bible reading is preventive medicine.

3. Live a Holy Life
Sin opens the door to sickness. Not every sickness is caused by sin, but some are. When Jesus healed the man at Bethesda, He warned him: “Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee” (John 5:14). Obedience protects your health.

4. Pray for Your Health Daily
Do not wait until you are sick to pray about your health. Pray daily for divine health. Thank God that you are not sick. Declare that sickness has no place in your body.

5. Trust God, Not Just Medicine
Medicine is a gift from God, but medicine is not God. Trust God first. Use wisdom, but do not put your faith in pills and procedures. Put your faith in the Healer.

Conclusion: Believe and Be Whole

The devotional ends with a powerful prayer: “I pray that you will never experience any form of sickness henceforth, in Jesus’ name.”

This is not just a nice sentiment—it is a declaration of God’s will. God wants you healthy. God wants you whole. God wants you to finish your race strong, not bedridden.

• Healing is provided.
• Divine health is available.
• God’s word never fails.
• All you need to do is believe.

Do not settle for managing sickness. Believe for healing. Believe for divine health. Believe that the same God who kept Israel’s feet from swelling for 40 years can keep you healthy all the days of your life.

Pray this:
“Father, I thank You that You sent Your word and healed me. I thank You that by the stripes of Jesus, I am healed. I do not beg for healing—I receive what You have already provided. I believe for more than healing; I believe for divine health. Let no sickness have dominion over me. Let my body be healthy as my soul prospers. I receive Your word as medicine to all my flesh. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Action Steps:

• Identify any area of sickness or weakness in your body: Speak God’s word over that area today. Declare, “By His stripes, I am healed.”
• Memorize Proverbs 4:20-22: Write it down and repeat it daily. Let it be your prescription for divine health.
• Examine your soul’s prosperity: Is your soul prospering? Are you growing in faith, love, and obedience? Your physical health is connected to your spiritual health.
• Pray for divine health daily: Do not wait until you are sick. Pray every day, “Father, thank You for keeping me healthy today.”
• Believe before you see: Do not wait for symptoms to change. Believe God’s word now. Your faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen.

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The Open Heavens 19 May 2026 devotional for today is WHEN GOD SPEAKS.

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 18 May 2026 Devotional

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OPEN HEAVENS 19 MAY 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL

TOPIC: WHEN GOD SPEAKS

MEMORISE

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
Genesis 1:3

READ: Psalm 29:1-11

1 Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength.
2 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the Lord is upon many waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
5 The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars; yea, the Lord breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.

6 He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.
7 The voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire.
8 The voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness; the Lord shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the Lord maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.
10 The Lord sitteth upon the flood; yea, the Lord sitteth King for ever.
11 The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.

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RCCG OPEN HEAVEN 19 MAY 2026 TODAY MESSAGE

In today’s memory verse, God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. When He commanded light into existence, He was declaring that darkness should disappear, sorrow should give way to joy, and stagnation should give way to promotion.

God’s word changes lives and situations. When His word comes to a fellow, that person will experience a great turnaround in every aspect of his or her life.

Psalm 29:4 says that God’s voice is powerful and full of majesty. Every time God speaks, all beings in heaven and on earth tremble to do His bidding.

Since we know how powerful God’s voice is, we must be careful about what He says concerning us.

We must be careful to ensure that He doesn’t pronounce anything negative over us because it will surely come to pass. We must also ensure that

He speaks blessings over us because when He does, they will be irreversible. You might be asking, “How can I get God to speak irreversible blessings over me?” In Genesis 27:1-4, Isaac wanted to bless Esau, and to properly position him for the blessing, he told him to get his weapons and hunt for venison in the field. He also asked him to prepare it in a way that he loved so that after eating the meal, he would bless him.

Jacob, however, pretended to be Esau, his brother, and tricked their father into giving him the blessing that was meant for Esau. Later on, when Isaac discovered he had erroneously blessed Jacob, he was unable to reverse the blessing (Genesis 27:33).

Hebrews 12:17 tells us that Esau’s protests and tears could not reverse what Jacob had received.

Isaac wanted Esau to serve and please him before he could bless him. The same is true if you want God to bless you. People who serve God wholeheartedly and please Him in their thoughts, words, and actions always receive His blessings. A fellow cannot keep doing what his or her father hates and expect to be blessed by him. He or she cannot continue displeasing him and disobeying his instructions and expect to be looked upon favourably by him.

Beloved, does your life please God? Do you shun sin and run away from the things He hates? Do you obey His instructions willingly and promptly? If your answer to all these questions is “Yes”, then you can expect Him to constantly speak His blessings over you. He will always pronounce blessings over His children in whom He is well pleased.

PRAYER POINT

Father, please help me to live a life that pleases you always, so l can be properly positioned to receive your irreversible blessings.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Ezra 5-7

Open Heavens HYMN 3: ANCIENT WORDS

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 19 MAY 2026 COMMENTARY

MEMORISE: Genesis 1:3

“And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”

This verse records the first recorded words of God in Scripture. They are creative words. God spoke into the void—into darkness, chaos, and emptiness—and light appeared. His words are not merely informative; they are transformative. When God speaks, things change. Darkness cannot remain where His voice is heard. Chaos cannot persist where His word is declared.

BIBLE READING: Psalm 29:1-11

This psalm is a powerful declaration of the voice of God. It repeats the phrase “the voice of the LORD” seven times, describing its effects: it is upon the waters, it is powerful and full of majesty, it breaks the cedars of Lebanon, it divides the flames of fire, it shakes the wilderness, it makes the deer to calve, and it strips the forests bare. The psalm concludes with God sitting enthroned as King forever and giving strength and peace to His people. This passage teaches that the voice of God is not gentle suggestion—it is creative, destructive of opposition, and constructive of blessing.

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The Power of God’s Voice

In today’s devotional, Pastor E.A. Adeboye continues the theme of God’s word and its power. He focuses specifically on the voice of God. When God speaks, darkness disappears, sorrow gives way to joy, and stagnation gives way to promotion. His voice is not just powerful—it is full of majesty. Every being in heaven and on earth trembles to do His bidding.

What God’s Voice Does

The devotional draws from the memory verse and the Bible reading to show what happens when God speaks:

1. Light Appears in Darkness
God said, “Let there be light,” and darkness fled. When God speaks into your situation, darkness cannot remain. Confusion, depression, and hopelessness must leave.

2. Mountains Tremble
Psalm 29 says the voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness and breaks the cedars. No obstacle is too large for His voice. Mountains melt like wax when He speaks.

3. Enemies Scatter
The voice of God is destructive to opposition. When He speaks against your enemies, they cannot stand. His word is a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces.

4. Blessings Become Irreversible
This is the central point of the devotional: when God speaks blessings over you, they cannot be reversed.

The Irreversibility of God’s Blessing

The devotional uses the story of Isaac blessing Jacob to illustrate a profound truth. Isaac intended to bless Esau. He told Esau to hunt and prepare a meal so that after eating, he would bless him. But Jacob, disguised as Esau, received the blessing instead.

When Isaac realized what had happened, he trembled violently. But he said, “I have blessed him, and he shall be blessed” (Genesis 27:33). He could not reverse the blessing. Even Esau’s bitter tears could not change what had been spoken.

Hebrews 12:17 confirms this: Esau found no place for repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. The blessing was irreversible.

This is how God’s blessing works. Once He speaks it over your life, no power in heaven or on earth can reverse it. The devil cannot cancel it. Your enemies cannot block it. Your mistakes cannot nullify it.

But there is a condition: God must speak it over you. And He speaks blessings over those who please Him.

How to Get God to Speak Blessings Over You

The devotional asks a critical question: “How can I get God to speak irreversible blessings over me?”

The answer comes from Isaac’s example. Isaac did not bless Esau immediately. He said, “Get your weapons, hunt venison, prepare it in the way I love, so that after I eat, I will bless you.” Esau had to serve his father to position himself for the blessing.

The same is true with God. People who serve God wholeheartedly and please Him in their thoughts, words, and actions always receive His blessings.

Three questions to ask yourself:

1. Does your life please God?
Not does it please your pastor, your spouse, or your friends. Does it please God? Are you living for His approval or for human applause?

2. Do you shun sin and run away from the things He hates?
The devotional does not ask if you occasionally sin—it asks if you shun sin. Do you hate what God hates? Do you run away from temptation, or do you linger near it?

3. Do you obey His instructions willingly and promptly?
Do you obey with a good attitude (willingly)? Do you obey without delay (promptly)? Delayed obedience is disobedience. Grudging obedience is not obedience at all.

The Logic of Blessing

The devotional uses a simple human analogy: A child cannot keep doing what his father hates and expect to be blessed by him. He cannot continue displeasing him and disobeying his instructions and expect to be looked upon favorably.

If this is true with human fathers, how much more with the heavenly Father?

• God blesses obedience, not rebellion.
• God blesses holiness, not compromise.
• God blesses those who seek Him, not those who ignore Him.
• God blesses those who please Him, not those who provoke Him.

What It Means to Please God

Pleasing God is not about perfection—it is about direction. It is not about never failing—it is about always returning.

To please God means:

• Your heart is toward Him. Even when you stumble, you turn back to Him.
• His word is your standard. You may not keep it perfectly, but you do not abandon it.
• Sin grieves you. You do not celebrate it, excuse it, or defend it.
• Obedience is your goal. You may fall short, but you keep aiming.
• His approval matters more than human approval. You fear God more than you fear people.

The Promise for Those Who Please Him

The devotional ends with a promise: “He will always pronounce blessings over His children in whom He is well pleased.”

• Not sometimes—always.
• Not maybe—He will.
• Not for a season—constantly.

When God is pleased with you, His blessings are not occasional—they are continual. His voice speaks favor over your life daily. Doors open. Opportunities appear. Provision flows. Protection covers.

And no one can reverse it.

Conclusion: Position Yourself for Irreversible Blessing

Do not envy those who seem to prosper through wickedness. Their blessing is temporary. Their success is fragile. Their wealth will take flight.

But the blessing of God on those who please Him is permanent. It is irreversible. It is protected by the voice that spoke light into darkness.

Position yourself today:

• Serve God wholeheartedly.
• Shun sin.
• Obey promptly.
• Please Him in all you do.

And then listen. You will hear His voice speaking blessing over you. And when He speaks, nothing can reverse it.

Pray this:
“Father, I want to be a child in whom You are well pleased. Search my heart. Show me any area where I am displeasing You. Give me the grace to shun sin, to obey willingly and promptly, and to live for Your approval alone. Speak Your irreversible blessings over my life. Let Your voice command light into my darkness, promotion into my stagnation, and joy into my sorrow. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Action Steps:

• Examine your life honestly: Answer the three questions from the devotional. Does your life please God? Do you shun sin? Do you obey willingly and promptly?
• Identify one area of displeasing behavior: Is there a habit, relationship, or attitude that you know does not please God? Confess it and turn from it today.
• Practice prompt obedience: This week, when God prompts you to do something—even something small—do it immediately. Do not delay.
• Listen for His voice: Spend time in prayer and Scripture, not just speaking to God but listening for Him. Ask Him to speak blessing over you.
• Thank Him for irreversible blessings: Even before you see them, thank God that His blessings on your life cannot be reversed by any enemy or circumstance.

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Download Open Heavens 19 May 2026 Devotional PDF

The Open Heavens 18 May 2026 devotional for today is BANISH UNBELIEF.

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 17 May 2026 Devotional

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OPEN HEAVENS 18 MAY 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL

TOPIC: BANISH UNBELIEF

MEMORISE

Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, It ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
Matthew 21:21

READ: Matthew 17:19-20

19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

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RCCG OPEN HEAVENS 18 MAY 2026 TODAY MESSAGE

Hebrews 4:12 says that the word of God is living, powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.

Also, John 1:1-3 tells us that all things were created by the word of God. As powerful as God’s word is, however, when it is spoken in unbelief, it cannot be expected to produce results.

In 1 John 4:4, it is written that greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. God lives within you, and He is greater than every problem or challenge that the world can throw your way. This is the absolute truth about you; you are above poverty and destruction because God’s power resides in you, and you can leverage it to subdue negative situations. Despite this, unbelief can hinder the power of God from flowing through His word in your mouth.

It is possible to be a Christian and be tormented by the spirit of doubt and unbelief. What this spirit does is that it undermines the power of God’s word in your heart and makes you feel that the word of God is ordinary. It also makes you begin to think that God’s word is not true, thereby filling your heart with uncertainty. If the spirit of doubt and unbelief is tormenting you, I pray that it will leave you right now, in Jesus’ name.

Jesus raised Jairus daughter in Mark 5:35-43 with His word. When He got to his house, He drove out those who were weeping and commanded the dead girl to arise. Peter followed the same pattern when God used him to raise Dorcas in Acts 9:36-42; he sent the mourners out of the house and

commanded the dead woman to arise.

Beloved, there is no limit to what you can achieve when you proclaim God’s word in faith. As Jesus said in today’s Bible reading, nothing shall be impossible to you if you speak the word of God in faith without any doubt or unbelief.

God wants you to believe His word and act upon it. He wants you to go to places where there are hopeless cases so He can show the world that there is still hope through you. He wants to use you mightily and shine His light through you so that He will be glorified (Matthew 5:16).

However, you must learn to trust in His word completely and proclaim it boldly over every situation you encounter. May you be a conduit of God’s mighty power everywhere you go henceforth, in Jesus’ name.

KEY POINT

Doubt and unbelief undermine the power of God’s word, making it ineffective in a Christian’s mouth.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Ezra 1-4

Open Heavens HYMN 3: ANCIENT WORDS

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 18 MAY 2026 COMMENTARY

MEMORISE: Matthew 21:21

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.”

This verse reveals the extraordinary potential of faith-filled words. Jesus does not say “if you pray about the mountain” or “if you ask God to remove the mountain.” He says, “if you say to this mountain, Be thou removed.” Your words, when backed by unwavering faith, carry creative power. The mountain is not a metaphor for a small problem—it is a mountain. Jesus is saying that no obstacle is too large when faith speaks.

BIBLE READING: Matthew 17:19-20

“Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”

This passage follows the disciples’ failure to cast out a demon from a boy. They had been given authority to cast out demons, but in this case, they failed. When they asked Jesus why, He gave a one-word answer: unbelief. Not lack of authority, not lack of power, not lack of technique—unbelief. He then explained that even faith as small as a mustard seed (the tiniest of seeds) is enough to move mountains. The problem was not the size of their faith—it was the presence of unbelief.

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The Power of God’s Word vs. The Problem of Unbelief

In today’s devotional, Pastor E.A. Adeboye (Daddy Adeboye) addresses one of the most critical barriers to experiencing God’s power: unbelief. The word of God is living, powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword. All things were created by God’s word. But when that same word is spoken in unbelief, it cannot be expected to produce results. Faith activates the word; unbelief neutralizes it.

The Spirit of Doubt and Unbelief

The devotional identifies a spiritual enemy that many believers do not recognize: the spirit of doubt and unbelief. This spirit does not just cause intellectual uncertainty—it actively undermines the power of God’s word in your heart.

What this spirit does:

• It makes you feel that the word of God is ordinary—just another book, just another collection of ancient sayings.
• It makes you begin to think that God’s word is not true—that the promises are exaggerated, that the miracles were for Bible times only.
• It fills your heart with uncertainty—you are not sure if God will really do what He said.
• It undermines the power of God’s word in your mouth—so that even when you speak scripture, it comes out weak and ineffective.

The devotional prays: “If the spirit of doubt and unbelief is tormenting you, I pray that it will leave you right now, in Jesus’ name.”

The Power That Resides in You

The devotional reminds us of 1 John 4:4: “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.”

God lives within you. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in your mortal body. You are not ordinary. You are not weak. You are not at the mercy of your circumstances.

This is the absolute truth about you:

• You are above poverty.
• You are above destruction.
• You are above every problem the world can throw at you.

Why? Not because you are strong, but because God’s power resides in you. And you can leverage that power to subdue negative situations. You can speak to mountains, and they will move. You can command demons, and they will flee. You can declare healing, and sickness will leave.

But unbelief blocks the flow. Your faith is the switch that turns on the power. Unbelief is the switch that turns it off.

The Pattern of Faith-Filled Command

The devotional points to two examples of faith-filled words producing miraculous results:

Jesus raising Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:35-43):

• He arrived at the house where people were weeping and wailing.
• He drove out the mourners—the voices of unbelief and despair.
• He took the parents and His disciples into the room.
• He simply said, “Talitha cumi” (Damsel, I say unto thee, arise).
• The dead girl rose immediately.

Peter raising Dorcas (Acts 9:36-42):

• He followed the same pattern.
• He sent the mourners out of the room.
• He knelt and prayed.
• He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, arise.”
• She opened her eyes and sat up.

Notice the pattern: Both Jesus and Peter removed the influence of unbelief (the mourners) before speaking the word of faith. Then they spoke directly to the situation—not to God about the situation, but to the dead body itself. They commanded, not requested. They spoke with authority.

The Mustard Seed Faith

Jesus said that faith as small as a mustard seed is enough to move mountains. This is encouraging because it means you do not need “great faith.” You just need genuine faith.

• A mustard seed is tiny, but it is alive. It contains life.
• A mustard seed grows into a large plant. It is not static—it expands.
• A mustard seed, once planted, cannot be ignored. It will produce results.

The issue is not the size of your faith—it is the presence of unbelief. Even a little faith, if it is pure and undoubted, can accomplish the impossible.

How to Overcome Unbelief

1. Recognize Unbelief as a Spirit
Unbelief is not just a weakness—it is a spiritual enemy. It has a source. It can be cast out. If you struggle with chronic doubt, pray specifically: “Spirit of doubt and unbelief, I command you to leave me in Jesus’ name.”

2. Fill Your Heart with God’s Word
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). The more you fill your heart with scripture, the more unbelief is crowded out. You cannot be full of God’s word and full of doubt at the same time.

3. Speak the Word Aloud
Jesus spoke to the mountain. He did not just think about it. He spoke. When you speak God’s word aloud, you are doing two things: you are declaring truth over your situation, and you are silencing the lies of the enemy.

4. Remove the Mourners
Identify the voices of unbelief in your life—people who constantly doubt, who mock your faith, who fill your ears with fear and negativity. Limit your exposure to them when you are in a battle of faith.

5. Act on the Word
Faith without works is dead (James 2:26). If you say you believe God’s word, act like it. If you say God will heal, stop talking like a sick person. If you say God will provide, stop talking like a beggar. Your actions reveal your true faith.

The Limitless Potential of Faith-Filled Words

The devotional declares: “There is no limit to what you can achieve when you proclaim God’s word in faith.”

• Sickness? Speak healing.
• Poverty? Speak provision.
• Broken marriage? Speak restoration.
• Wayward children? Speak deliverance.
• Dead dreams? Speak resurrection.

“Nothing shall be impossible to you if you speak the word of God in faith without any doubt or unbelief.”

God Wants to Use You

The devotional ends with a commission: God wants you to believe His word and act upon it. He wants you to go to places where there are hopeless cases so He can show the world that there is still hope—through you.

• He wants to use you mightily.
• He wants to shine His light through you.
• He wants to be glorified through your faith.

But you must learn to trust in His word completely and proclaim it boldly over every situation you encounter.

Conclusion: Speak and See Mountains Move

The spirit of doubt and unbelief is a liar. It tells you that God’s word is not true, that your situation is hopeless, that you are too weak to make a difference.

Do not believe it.

• God’s word is living and powerful.
• Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
• Faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains.
• Nothing shall be impossible to you.

Speak the word. Believe the word. Act on the word. And watch the mountains move.

Pray this:
“Father, I thank You for Your living, powerful word. Forgive me for the times I have spoken Your word in unbelief, doubting that it would produce results. I command the spirit of doubt and unbelief to leave me now, in Jesus’ name. Fill my heart with faith. Let me speak Your word with boldness and authority. I believe that nothing shall be impossible to me when I speak in faith. Use me as a conduit of Your mighty power. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Action Steps:

• Identify a “mountain” in your life: What situation seems immovable—health, finances, relationships, addiction? Write it down.
• Find a scripture that addresses that mountain: Search the Bible for a promise that directly applies to your situation.
• Speak that scripture aloud daily: Do not just read it—declare it. Say, “In the name of Jesus, I speak to this mountain: [name the situation], be removed and cast into the sea.”
• Remove the mourners: Identify voices of unbelief in your life. Limit your exposure to them during this season of faith.
• Act on your faith: Do one thing today that demonstrates you believe God’s word—even if it feels uncomfortable or risky. Your action will strengthen your faith.

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The Open Heavens 17 May 2026 devotional for today is JUBILEE.

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 16 May 2026 Devotional

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OPEN HEAVENS 17 MAY 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL

TOPIC: JUBILEE

MEMORISE:

That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee.
Deuteronomy 30:3

READ: Leviticus 25:25-28

25 If thy brother be waxen poor, and hath sold away some of his possession, and if any of his kin come to redeem it, then shall he redeem that which his brother sold.
26 And if the man have none to redeem it, and himself be able to redeem it;
27 Then let him count the years of the sale thereof, and restore the overplus unto the man to whom he sold it; that he may return unto his possession.
28 But if he be not able to restore it to him, then that which is sold shall remain in the hand of him that hath bought it until the year of jubile: and in the jubile it shall go out, and he shall return unto his possession.

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RCCG OPEN HEAVENS 17 MAY 2026 TODAY MESSAGE

Jubilee means emancipation, deliverance, or restoration. In Leviticus 25:8-10, God commanded the children of Israel to observe Jubilee every 50 years. When the Year of Jubilee arrives, anyone who is bound as a slave is to be set free. Even if a fellow became bound through his or her fault or error, he or she will be set free. Furthermore, anyone who was in debt would be forgiven of the debt in the Year of Jubilee.

We are talking about Jubilee today because God wants to set His people free from satanic bondages. He wants His people to walk in liberty in every aspect of their lives. Liberty is freedom from every form of bondage. Anyone who holds someone bound when God has declared jubilee will be fighting against God, and I am yet to see someone who fights against God and wins.

Unlike in Israel, where Jubilee was observed every 50 years in Old Testament times, if you have Jesus, you can experience Jubilee every day. Jesus came to save, deliver and restore us to God, and anyone who comes to Him will experience Jubilee to the fullest.

In Christ, God has proclaimed Jubilee for you and your household, and every power of darkness that wants to keep you and anything that concerns you in bondage will be consumed by the Consuming Fire, in Jesus’ name. When God makes you free, you become free indeed (John 8:36).

Being “free indeed’ means that you are delivered from the effects of bondage. It means you have been made new, as if you were never in any bondage before. 2 Corinthians 5:17 reveals that once you are in Christ, you are a new creature.

Your old record of slavery under sin and satan is wiped off, and everything becomes new.

Jubilee, however, doesn’t only mean freedom from slavery. It also means restoration of what has been forcefully or rightfully taken. In today’s Bible reading, God said that if a fellow becomes poor and sells his or her possessions, and he or she is unable to recover them, the fellow is free to return to his or her possessions in the Year of Jubilee because Jubilee is also the time of restoration.

I proclaim in the name above all names that everything that has been taken from you or that you have given away ignorantly will be restored to you. You will experience and enjoy divine restoration in all areas you need it, in Jesus’ name.

KEY POINT

Anyone who is in Christ can experience jubilee every day.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

2 Chronicles 35-36

Open Heavens HYMN 50: CONQUERORS AND OVERCOMERS NOW ARE WE

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 17 MAY 2026 COMMENTARY

MEMORISE: Deuteronomy 30:3

“That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee.”

This verse is a promise of restoration. God declares that when His people return to Him, He will reverse their captivity. He will not just forgive them—He will gather what was scattered, restore what was lost, and turn their situation completely around. The word “turn” is key: God specializes in reversals. What the enemy meant for evil, God will turn for good.

BIBLE READING: Leviticus 25:25-28

This passage explains the law of redemption for property in Israel. If a fellow Israelite became poor and sold his land, his nearest relative (the kinsman-redeemer) had the right to buy it back. If no relative redeemed it, the seller would wait until the Year of Jubilee, when the land would automatically return to its original owner. This law ensured that poverty was not permanent. It established that every loss could be recovered, every inheritance restored, and every setback reversed. God built restoration into the fabric of His covenant with Israel.

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Jubilee: God’s Emancipation Proclamation

In today’s devotional, Pastor E.A. Adeboye (Daddy Adeboye) brings a message of hope and restoration. He announces that God is declaring Jubilee over His people. Jubilee means emancipation, deliverance, and restoration. It means that every form of bondage is broken, every debt is canceled, and every lost inheritance is returned.

What Jubilee Meant in the Old Testament

The devotional explains the original Jubilee from Leviticus 25. Every 50 years, God commanded Israel to observe a special year of liberation.

When Jubilee arrived, three things happened:

1. Slaves Were Set Free
Anyone who was bound as a slave—even if they became bound through their own fault or error—was released. Their past mistakes did not disqualify them. Jubilee wiped the slate clean.

2. Debts Were Forgiven
Anyone who owed money was released from the debt. The financial burden was lifted. The pressure of repayment was removed.

3. Lost Property Was Restored
Anyone who had sold their family inheritance because of poverty would have it returned. The land that had been lost was given back. What was taken was restored.

This was God’s design: No one in Israel should remain permanently poor, permanently enslaved, or permanently separated from their inheritance. There was always a way back. There was always a Jubilee.

Jesus: Your Daily Jubilee

The devotional makes a powerful declaration: “Unlike in Israel, where Jubilee was observed every 50 years, if you have Jesus, you can experience Jubilee every day.”

Jesus came to fulfill the Jubilee promise. In Luke 4:18-19, He read from the scroll of Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”

When He finished reading, He said, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.”

Jesus was announcing that He is the Jubilee. In Him:

• Captives are set free
• The blind receive sight
• The oppressed are liberated
• The acceptable year of the Lord has arrived

You do not need to wait 50 years. You do not need to wait for a specific calendar date. If you have Jesus, you can experience Jubilee today.

Free Indeed: Complete Restoration

The devotional distinguishes between two kinds of freedom. Jesus said in John 8:36, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

What does “free indeed” mean?

• It means delivered from the effects of bondage
• It means made new, as if you were never in bondage before
• It means the record of your slavery is wiped clean
• It means you are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)

When God sets you free, He does not just open the prison door and leave you in your prison clothes. He gives you a new wardrobe, a new identity, and a new future. The past is not just forgiven—it is forgotten. The scars are not just healed—they are erased.

This is what Jubilee does. It does not just improve your situation—it makes you new.

Restoration of Everything Lost

The devotional emphasizes that Jubilee is not only about freedom from slavery—it is also about restoration of what has been taken.

In the Bible reading, God provided that if a fellow became poor and sold his land, the land would return in Jubilee. Even if no relative could redeem it, the Year of Jubilee would bring it back.

This means:

• What was taken by force will be restored.
• What was lost through foolishness will be returned.
• What was given away ignorantly will come back.
• What was stolen by the enemy will be recovered.

The devotional proclaims: “Everything that has been taken from you or that you have given away ignorantly will be restored to you.”

Who Is Fighting Against You?

The devotional makes a bold statement: “Anyone who holds someone bound when God has declared jubilee will be fighting against God, and I am yet to see someone who fights against God and wins.”

If God has declared you free, your enemy cannot keep you bound. If God has declared your restoration, the thief cannot hold your possessions.

• The devil may have stolen your peace, but God says Jubilee—return it.
• The enemy may have stolen your marriage, but God says Jubilee—restore it.
• The adversary may have stolen your health, but God says Jubilee—heal it.
• The thief may have stolen your finances, but God says Jubilee—multiply it.

When God fights for you, your enemy loses. Every time.

How to Experience Your Jubilee

1. Come to Jesus
Jubilee is found in a Person, not a calendar. You cannot experience Jubilee outside of Christ. If you have not surrendered your life to Him, do it today. He is the doorway to freedom.

2. Believe That Jubilee Is for You
Do not let guilt or shame tell you that you are disqualified. The Old Testament Jubilee freed slaves even when they became bound through their own fault. Your past mistakes do not cancel God’s mercy. Jubilee is for you.

3. Receive Your Freedom
Do not keep living like a slave after God has declared you free. Your prison door is open. Walk out. Stop thinking like a captive. Stop talking like a victim. Stop acting like someone who is still bound.

4. Expect Restoration
Start looking for what was taken. God is not just freeing you—He is returning what was stolen. Ask Him to show you what He is restoring. Thank Him in advance for the land that is coming back.

5. Declare Jubilee Over Your Household
The devotional says, “In Christ, God has proclaimed Jubilee for you and your household.” Do not keep this freedom to yourself. Declare it over your spouse, your children, your grandchildren. Pray that every power of darkness holding anything in your household will be consumed by the Consuming Fire.

What Jubilee Looks Like Today

• For the addict: Jubilee is chains breaking and cravings disappearing.
• For the debtor: Jubilee is debt canceled and provision appearing.
• For the barren: Jubilee is the womb opening and the child arriving.
• For the unemployed: Jubilee is doors opening and opportunities appearing.
• For the broken marriage: Jubilee is reconciliation and healing.
• For the backslider: Jubilee is the Father’s arms opening and restoration beginning.

Whatever your captivity, God has a Jubilee for you.

Conclusion: Your Jubilee Has Arrived

The devotional ends with a powerful proclamation: “I proclaim in the name above all names that everything that has been taken from you or that you have given away ignorantly will be restored to you.”

Do not let the enemy tell you that your situation is permanent. Do not believe the lie that your loss is irreversible. God has declared Jubilee.

• The slave is set free.
• The debt is canceled.
• The land is returned.

Your Jubilee has arrived. Receive it. Walk in it. And watch God restore everything the enemy stole.

Pray this:
“Father, I thank You that in Jesus, I have Jubilee every day. I do not have to wait for a calendar year—I have Jubilee now. I receive my freedom from every form of bondage—spiritual, financial, emotional, physical. I declare that every power of darkness holding me or anything in my household is consumed by the Consuming Fire. I receive restoration of everything that has been taken from me—my peace, my health, my marriage, my finances, my destiny. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Action Steps:

• Identify your captivity: What area of your life feels bound—finances, health, relationships, addiction, fear? Write it down.
• Declare Jubilee over it: Speak aloud: “In the name of Jesus, Jubilee is declared over [specific area]. I am set free.”
• Look for restoration: Ask God to show you what He is returning to you. Thank Him in advance for the land that is coming back.
• Break the cycle of guilt: If you became bound through your own fault, receive God’s mercy. Jubilee covers your mistakes.
• Declare Jubilee over your household: Pray specifically for your spouse, children, and grandchildren. Proclaim freedom over them today.

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