Category: Open Heavens Devotional

The Open Heavens 8 July 2026 devotional for today is EXCEED IN PRAYER.

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 7 July 2026 Devotional

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OPEN HEAVENS 8 JULY 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL

TOPIC: EXCEED IN PRAYER

MEMORISE:
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Ephesians 6:18

READ: Genesis 32:24-30

²⁴ And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
²⁵ And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.

²⁶ And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
²⁷ And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
²⁸ And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
²⁹ And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
³⁰ And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

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RCCG OPEN HEAVENS 8 JULY 2026 TODAY MESSAGE

Sometime in 1975, my Father in the Lord, Pa Josiah Akindayomi, came to stay with me in my little house in Ilesha, a city in South West Nigeria. Even though it was a mud house that was plastered with cement, I was happy to host my Father in the Lord.

When it was nighttime, we prayed together, and l prepared to go to bed. As I went into my room to sleep, I saw that he was still on his knees, praying, and when I woke up to use the toilet in the middle of the night and again around 5am, the old man was surprisingly still on his knees, praying. I was worried, so I asked if there was a problem, and he said I would soon understand. I have followed in his footsteps since then, and I truly now understand that, as believers, we ought to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Beloved, God has called all His children to a life of prayer. Unfortunately, however, many believers don’t see any reason to pray when things are going well for them. They feel that there is no need to pray because they are not experiencing any challenges. However, if you are a genuine child of God, you must pray without ceasing.

No matter how much you pray now, you can always go higher in the place of prayer. Never let your current prayer lifestyle, no matter how vibrant you think it is, make you feel as if you are doing your best. Keep pushing to be better so you don’t begin to relax and lose your fervency.
When I became the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, I went with six of my best friends to llorin, a state in North Central Nigeria, to pray for 36 hours nonstop. After the 36 hours of prayers, God revealed several things to us. We felt good with ourselves, and we thought we had achieved something unbelievable. The following week, however, I was told about a man who prayed nonstop for 30 days!

In today’s Bible reading, we saw Jacob wrestling until he obtained a blessing from God that changed his life for good. Beloved, God expects you to hold on to Him in prayer without fainting (Luke 18:1). Do not relax or boast about any milestones you might have reached in the place of prayer; rather, always seek to exceed them. May the Lord continually empower you to wait on Him as you should in every season of your life, in Jesus’ name.

KEY POINT

God wants you to keep going higher in the place of prayer.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Proverbs 27-29

Open Heavens HYMN 11: I’VE FOUND A FRIEND IN JESUS

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 8 JULY 2026 COMMENTARY

MEMORISE: Ephesians 6:18

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

This verse is the apostle Paul’s command for the believer’s prayer life.

BIBLE READING: Genesis 32:24-30

This passage records Jacob’s all-night wrestling match at Peniel. Jacob was alone, facing the return of his brother Esau, whom he had deceived years earlier. Esau was coming with four hundred men. Jacob was terrified. Daddy Adeboye uses this to show that persistent, wrestling prayer that refuses to let go is what brings the life-changing blessing.

Pa Josiah Akindayomi: A Father in the Lord’s Prayer Life

1. The Night That Changed Daddy Adeboye’s Prayer Life

“Sometime in 1975, my Father in the Lord, Pa Josiah Akindayomi, came to stay with me in my little house in Ilesha, a city in South West Nigeria. Even though it was a mud house that was plastered with cement, I was happy to host my Father in the Lord.”

This was a humble setting. A mud house, plastered with cement. But the value was not in the building; it was in the guest. Pa Akindayomi was the founder of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. His presence was a blessing.

2. The Prayer Marathon

“When it was nighttime, we prayed together, and I prepared to go to bed. As I went into my room to sleep, I saw that he was still on his knees, praying, and when I woke up to use the toilet in the middle of the night and again around 5am, the old man was surprisingly still on his knees, praying.”

Consider the timeline:

Time	Activity	Pa Akindayomi’s Posture
Nighttime	Daddy Adeboye and Pa prayed together	On his knees
Bedtime	Daddy Adeboye went to sleep	Still on his knees
Middle of the night	Daddy Adeboye used the toilet	Still on his knees
5:00 AM	Daddy Adeboye woke again	Still on his knees

“I was worried, so I asked if there was a problem, and he said I would soon understand. I have followed in his footsteps since then, and I truly now understand that, as believers, we ought to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).”

Pa Akindayomi’s Lesson	What It Produced
Prayer is not a brief duty	It is a lifestyle
Prayer is not only for crisis	It is for all seasons
Prayer can continue through the night	It is not limited by time
A father’s example shapes the son	Daddy Adeboye followed his footsteps

The old man was not in crisis. He was not praying because something was wrong. He was praying because that was who he was—a man of ceaseless prayer. And his example became the inheritance of the son who watched him.

The Error of Crisis-Only Prayer

“Beloved, God has called all His children to a life of prayer. Unfortunately, however, many believers don’t see any reason to pray when things are going well for them. They feel that there is no need to pray because they are not experiencing any challenges.”

Crisis-Only Prayer	Continuous Prayer
Prays only when there is a problem	Prays in good times and bad
Treats prayer as an emergency call	Treats prayer as oxygen
Relationship with God is intermittent	Relationship with God is constant
Weak when the crisis comes	Strong because the connection is always live

“However, if you are a genuine child of God, you must pray without ceasing.”

Why must you pray without ceasing? Not because God needs your information. Not because you need to twist His arm. But because:

• Prayer keeps you connected to the Vine (John 15:4-5)
• Prayer keeps you alert to the enemy’s schemes (Matthew 26:41)
• Prayer aligns your will with God’s will
• Prayer positions you to receive what God wants to give
• Prayer is how you abide in Him

The Danger of Spiritual Plateau: There Is Always Higher

“No matter how much you pray now, you can always go higher in the place of prayer. Never let your current prayer lifestyle, no matter how vibrant you think it is, make you feel as if you are doing your best. Keep pushing to be better so you don’t begin to relax and lose your fervency.”

The Danger of Feeling You Have Arrived	The Remedy
You stop growing	Keep pushing to be better
You become complacent	Never feel you have done your best
You lose your fervency	Always seek to exceed your milestones

“When I became the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, I went with six of my best friends to Ilorin, a state in North Central Nigeria, to pray for 36 hours nonstop. After the 36 hours of prayers, God revealed several things to us. We felt good with ourselves, and we thought we had achieved something unbelievable.”

36 hours of nonstop prayer is extraordinary. Most believers have never prayed for 36 consecutive hours. Daddy Adeboye and his friends had every right to feel they had done something significant.

“The following week, however, I was told about a man who prayed nonstop for 30 days!”

Daddy Adeboye’s 36 Hours	The Unknown Man’s 30 Days
Felt like an achievement	Put 36 hours in perspective
Thought they had done something unbelievable	Revealed that there is always higher
Good, but not the ceiling	A reminder not to relax

“Do not relax or boast about any milestones you might have reached in the place of prayer; rather, always seek to exceed them.”

If you pray 30 minutes a day, do not settle there. Press to one hour. If you pray one hour, press to two. If you pray two, press to an overnight vigil. If you pray one night, press to three nights. There is always higher. There is always deeper. The moment you think you have arrived in prayer, you have begun to decline.

Jacob at Peniel: Wrestling Until the Blessing Comes

“In today’s Bible reading, we saw Jacob wrestling until he obtained a blessing from God that changed his life for good.”

Jacob’s Wrestling	What It Teaches Us
He wrestled all night	Prayer sometimes requires sustained, prolonged effort
He refused to let go	“I will not let thee go except thou bless me”
He was persistent even when injured	His hip was dislocated; he still held on
He walked away with a new name	From Jacob (supplanter) to Israel (prince with God)

“Beloved, God expects you to hold on to Him in prayer without fainting (Luke 18:1).”

Luke 18:1 – “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.”

The Persistent Widow (Luke 18)	Jacob at Peniel
Kept coming to the unjust judge	Kept wrestling through the night
Refused to give up	Refused to let go
Eventually received justice	Eventually received the blessing

Do not faint in prayer. Do not give up after five minutes because you have not felt anything. Do not stop after one request because the answer has not come. Wrestle. Persist. Hold on. The blessing comes to those who refuse to let go.

How to Grow in Prayer Without Ceasing (Practical Steps)

Based on Daddy Adeboye’s teaching and the examples of Pa Akindayomi, Jacob, and the 30-day praying man, here is how to press higher in prayer:

1. Establish a Non-Negotiable Prayer Schedule

Do not pray only when you feel like it. Set fixed times. Daniel prayed three times daily (Daniel 6:10). David prayed evening, morning, and noon (Psalm 55:17). Start with a schedule and stick to it.

2. Lengthen Your Prayer Time Gradually

If you pray 15 minutes, aim for 20. If you pray 30, aim for 45. Do not be satisfied with your current duration. Add five minutes this week. Another five next week. Growth is incremental.

3. Incorporate Prayer into Every Activity

Pray without ceasing means turning daily activities into prayer:

• While driving, pray for other drivers
• While cooking, pray for your family
• While walking, pray for your neighborhood
• While waiting in line, pray for the people around you

4. Plan Extended Prayer Sessions

Do not rely only on daily short prayers. Schedule:

• A weekly prayer vigil (one night per week)
• A monthly prayer retreat (half day or full day)
• An annual prayer fast (24 hours, 3 days, 7 days, or more)

5. Learn from Those Ahead of You

Daddy Adeboye learned by watching Pa Akindayomi. Who is ahead of you in prayer? Ask them to mentor you. Watch how they pray. Learn from their example.

6. Never Compare Downward; Always Compare Upward

When you hear of someone who prayed 30 days straight, do not feel discouraged. Feel challenged. Say, “If they can do that by God’s grace, perhaps I can press further than I have.”

Warning: The Danger of a Comfortable Prayer Life

Daddy Adeboye’s devotional carries a sobering warning: comfort is the enemy of fervency.

When Things Are Going Well	The Temptation	The Remedy
No crisis, no obvious need	To pray less or stop praying	Pray without ceasing regardless
Life is stable, predictable	To rely on routine rather than God	Keep the connection live
You have prayed a “long” prayer	To feel you have arrived	There is always higher

Pa Akindayomi did not pray all night because there was a problem. He prayed all night because that was his lifestyle. Do not wait for crisis to drive you to your knees. Stay on your knees even when the sun is shining.

Conclusion: Your Prayer for Perseverance in Prayer

Daddy Adeboye closes with a prayer that the Lord will continually empower you to wait on Him in every season. Do not relax. Do not boast. Keep pressing.

Pray this:

“Lord Jesus, I thank You for the example of Pa Akindayomi—a man who prayed through the night not because of crisis but because of devotion. Forgive me for the times I have prayed only when I needed something. Forgive me for being satisfied with my current prayer life. Forgive me for relaxing when things are going well. Today, I ask for the spirit of Jacob—the spirit that wrestles through the night and refuses to let go until the blessing comes. I ask for the perseverance to pray without ceasing, not just in emergency but as my daily breath. Break every comfort that makes me complacent. Show me there is always higher. Help me to exceed every milestone I have reached. Give me 36 hours. Give me 30 days. Give me a prayer life that never stops. In Jesus’ mighty name.”

Action Steps:

1. The Prayer Audit: Track your prayer time for one week. How many minutes per day? How many hours per week? Be honest. Then set a goal to increase by 10% next week.
2. The Extended Prayer Plan: Schedule one extended prayer session this month (e.g., 2 hours, 6 hours, or overnight). Put it on your calendar as a non-negotiable appointment with God.
3. The “Higher” Challenge: Identify one person you know (or know of) whose prayer life exceeds yours. Ask God: What can I learn from their example? Then commit to one specific practice they model.

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The Open Heavens 7 July 2026 devotional for today is HIS REFINING PROCESS

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 6 July 2026 Devotional

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OPEN HEAVENS 7 JULY 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL

TOPIC: HIS REFINING PROCESS

MEMORISE:
Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.
Psalm 105:18-19

READ: Exodus 13:17-18

¹⁷ And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:
¹⁸ But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.

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RCCG OPEN HEAVENS 7 JULY 2026 TODAY MESSAGE

In His wisdom, God often takes His children through different paths on their journey to greatness. He uses each step to refine their character and to separate them from anything that could hinder or destroy them after attaining greatness. For example, before Joseph became great, God took him through a pit, Potiphar’s house, and prison, so as to build his character in preparation for the role of a ruler in Egypt. Today’s memory verse says that he was laid in irons until God’s word came.

God’s word tried him as gold is tried in fire until he was certified fit for greatness. David also had to go through God’s process on his way to becoming a king. His path to becoming a king was marked by numerous challenges, including a period of exile in the wilderness.

The path to greatness is often paved with many challenges. The process of attaining true greatness is never easy, but it is always worth it. Apostle Paul described the process as ‘our light affliction’ in 2 Corinthians 4:17. However, no matter how tough the process gets, it is nothing compared to the far exceeding and eternal weight of glory that God has prepared for us.

People who want to become great without going through God’s process do not usually last if they eventually become great. Like King Saul, they often end up losing their place because of habits and weaknesses that should have been addressed.

Those who choose to follow God’s process, however, always emerge purified like precious gold.

They become men and women whom God can trust with great resources and other people. Even our Lord Jesus Christ followed God’s process, and when the time came for Him to fulfil God’s assignment, He was baptised, and God’s Spirit came upon Him (Matthew 3:16-17). He didn’t start performing miracles the moment He was born, because God never raises a fellow without first ‘trying’ and preparing him or her.

As we see in today’s Bible reading, God guided the Israelites through His process by making them take a longer route on their journey to the Promised Land. He didn’t want them to run back to Egypt at the first hint of war; He wanted to help them become a strong and resilient nation. Beloved, is God currently taking you through a refining process that you find difficult? I implore you to endure the process, as it is part of His plan in preparing you for true and lasting greatness.

PRAYER POINT

Lord, please help me to go through Your refining process successfully.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Proverbs 24-26

Open Heavens HYMN 30: WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 7 JULY 2026 COMMENTARY

MEMORISE: Psalm 105:18-19

“Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.”

This verse captures the essence of divine preparation. Daddy Adeboye anchors today’s devotional on this text because it reveals that the painful seasons of life are not random misfortunes—they are the “iron” that shapes and tests the one destined for greatness.

BIBLE READING: Exodus 13:17-18

This passage records God’s strategic routing of the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt.

Joseph: The Iron That Prepared a Throne

1. The Journey Through Suffering

“In His wisdom, God often takes His children through different paths on their journey to greatness. He uses each step to refine their character and to separate them from anything that could hinder or destroy them after attaining greatness.”

Consider Joseph’s path:

Stage	Location	What Joseph Learned
Stage 1	His father’s house (favored son)	Dreams, vision, purpose
Stage 2	The pit	Betrayal, loss, humility
Stage 3	Potiphar’s house (slave)	Hard work, service, integrity under temptation
Stage 4	Prison (convicted criminal)	Patience, leadership over prisoners, interpretation of dreams
Stage 5	Pharaoh’s court (second in Egypt)	Ruling, saving nations, forgiving brothers

“Before Joseph became great, God took him through a pit, Potiphar’s house, and prison, so as to build his character in preparation for the role of a ruler in Egypt.”

The Process	The Purpose
Pit (abandonment)	To kill pride and self-sufficiency
Slavery (subjection)	To teach service and humility
False accusation (injustice)	To develop trust in God’s justice
Prison (confinement)	To develop patience and leadership in obscurity

“God’s word tried him as gold is tried in fire until he was certified fit for greatness.”

Psalm 105:19 – “The word of the LORD tried him.” The promise (the dream) was tested. Joseph had dreamed of greatness—sheaves bowing, stars bowing. But between the dream and its fulfillment came the iron. The word tried him. Would he still believe when he was in the pit? Would he still trust when he was in prison? The testing certified that he was ready.

2. The Result: A Man Fit for the Throne

Before the Process	After the Process
A boastful, favored young man	A humble, wise leader
Tattled on his brothers	Forgave his brothers
Shared dreams without wisdom	Interpreted dreams with discretion
Unproven character	Tested, refined, certified

When Joseph stood before Pharaoh, he was not the same boy who had been sold into slavery. The iron had done its work. He was ready.

David: The Wilderness on the Way to the Throne

“David also had to go through God’s process on his way to becoming a king. His path to becoming a king was marked by numerous challenges, including a period of exile in the wilderness.”

Consider David’s path:

Stage	Duration	What David Learned
Anointed by Samuel	A single day	Divine calling
Serving Saul’s court	Months/years	Loyalty, service, music, warfare
Exile in the wilderness	Years	Patience, trust, leadership of outcasts, refusing to touch God’s anointed

David was anointed king as a young man. But he did not sit on the throne until many years later. Between the anointing and the coronation came the wilderness. Cave dwelling. Running for his life. Gathering a ragtag army of the discontented. Learning to lead, to wait, to trust, and to honor Saul even when Saul was trying to kill him.

David’s Wilderness Lessons	Why They Were Necessary
Do not touch the Lord’s anointed	To learn reverence for God’s timing and authority
Wait on the Lord	To kill impatience and self-promotion
Lead outcasts	To learn compassion for the broken
Trust God for daily provision	To kill reliance on human resources

Without the wilderness, David would have been a disaster as king. The wilderness made him a man after God’s own heart.

The Israelites: The Long Route to the Promised Land

“As we see in today’s Bible reading, God guided the Israelites through His process by making them take a longer route on their journey to the Promised Land. He didn’t want them to run back to Egypt at the first hint of war; He wanted to help them become a strong and resilient nation.”

The Short Route (Philistine Road)	The Long Route (Wilderness)
A few days journey	Forty years
Immediate warfare	Graduated testing
Would have faced the Philistines (trained warriors)	Faced the Red Sea (God’s miracle), then manna, then water from rock, then battles one by one
Likely would have fled back to Egypt	Became a strong, resilient nation

“Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt.”

God knew His people. They had slave mentality. They had no military training. They had no experience trusting God for victory. If they had faced war immediately, they would have run back to Egypt. The long route was not punishment; it was preparation. Forty years to unlearn Egypt and learn dependence on God.

What They Unlearned in the Wilderness	What They Learned
Slave mentality	Sonship
Fear of enemies	Trust in God
Reliance on Egypt’s resources	Dependence on manna from heaven
Impatience	Waiting on the Lord

Why God’s Process Is Necessary

1. The Process Prepares You for the Weight of Greatness

“People who want to become great without going through God’s process do not usually last if they eventually become great. Like King Saul, they often end up losing their place because of habits and weaknesses that should have been addressed.”

Saul (Shortcut)	David (Process)
Made king quickly	Anointed early, enthroned late
Disobeyed God	Learned to obey through suffering
Spared Agamemnon (partial obedience)	Refused to touch Saul (full honor)
Lost the kingdom	Established an everlasting dynasty

Saul had the position but not the character. He looked like a king, but inside he was still insecure, impulsive, and disobedient. When pressure came, he collapsed. David had been forged in the wilderness. When pressure came, he sought the Lord.

“Those who choose to follow God’s process, however, always emerge purified like precious gold. They become men and women whom God can trust with great resources and other people.”

Processed Gold	Shortcut Tin
Durable, valuable, trusted	Brittle, worthless, discarded
Reflects the refiner’s image	Exposes the lack of refinement
Can bear weight	Cracks under pressure

2. Even Jesus Followed the Process

“Even our Lord Jesus Christ followed God’s process, and when the time came for Him to fulfil God’s assignment, He was baptised, and God’s Spirit came upon Him (Matthew 3:16-17). He didn’t start performing miracles the moment He was born, because God never raises a fellow without first ‘trying’ and preparing him or her.”

Jesus’ Process	Duration
Birth in a manger	Day one
Childhood in Nazareth	Thirty years
Private life, growing in wisdom and stature	Three decades
Baptism, then testing in the wilderness	Forty days
Public ministry	Three years

The Son of God did not bypass the process. He did not begin His public ministry as an infant. He waited. He prepared. He was tested. If Jesus submitted to the Father’s process, how much more should you?

What the Process Produces

Based on Daddy Adeboye’s teaching and Scripture, here is what God’s refining process accomplishes:

What the Process Removes	What the Process Produces
Pride	Humility
Impatience	Patience
Self-reliance	Dependence on God
Fear of man	Fear of God
Unforgiveness	Forgiveness
Impulsiveness	Wisdom
Worldly ambition	Kingdom purpose

“Apostle Paul described the process as ‘our light affliction’ in 2 Corinthians 4:17. However, no matter how tough the process gets, it is nothing compared to the far exceeding and eternal weight of glory that God has prepared for us.”

2 Corinthians 4:17 – “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”

The Affliction	The Glory
Light (not heavy)	Far more exceeding (overwhelming)
But for a moment (temporary)	Eternal (never ending)
Works for us (productive, purposeful)	Weight of glory (massive, substantial)

Your present suffering is not meaningless. It is working. It is producing. It is preparing you for a glory so great that the affliction will seem light and momentary by comparison.

How to Endure God’s Process (Practical Steps)

Based on Daddy Adeboye’s teaching, here is how to persevere through the refining process:

1. Recognize That the Process Is Not Punishment

God is not angry with you. He is not punishing you. He is preparing you. Joseph was not in prison because God was against him; he was in prison because God was for him. The process is proof of purpose.

2. Embrace the Iron While You Are in It

Do not fight the process. Do not try to escape through shortcuts, compromises, or self-promotion. Joseph did not try to break out of prison. David did not kill Saul to seize the throne. They endured the iron. So must you.

3. Learn What the Process Is Teaching You

Each stage has a lesson. Ask God: What am I supposed to learn in this pit? In this prison? In this wilderness? Do not waste your suffering by refusing to learn.

The Stage	Likely Lesson
Pit of betrayal	God’s presence even when others abandon you
Slavery	Service as preparation for leadership
False accusation	God is your vindicator; do not defend yourself
Prison	Patience, trust, and leadership in obscurity

4. Trust the “Until the Time That His Word Came”

There is an “until” in your process. Until the word of the Lord tries you. Until the iron has done its work. Until you are certified fit for greatness. That time will come. Do not abandon the process before the “until” is fulfilled.

5. Keep Your Eyes on the Glory, Not the Affliction

Paul called it “light affliction” compared to the weight of glory. You may not feel it is light. But from eternity’s perspective, it is. Keep looking ahead. The glory is coming.

Warning: The Shortcut Leads to Shame

Daddy Adeboye’s devotional carries a sobering warning: do not take the shortcut. Do not bypass God’s process.

The Shortcut	The Outcome
Self-promotion	Humiliation
Compromise to get ahead	Loss of integrity
Taking what God has not yet given	Losing what you took
Impatience with the process	Extended time in the process

Saul took the shortcut (offered sacrifices himself, spared Agag, consulted a medium). He lost the kingdom. Do not be like Saul. Be like Joseph. Be like David. Endure the iron. Trust the process.

Conclusion: Your Prayer for Endurance Through the Process

Daddy Adeboye closes with an imploration: if God is taking you through a refining process you find difficult, endure it. It is part of His plan for true and lasting greatness.

Pray this:

“Lord Jesus, I thank You that the iron on my feet is not punishment—it is preparation. Forgive me for the times I have complained against Your process, tried to take shortcuts, or doubted Your love because of the difficulty. Today, I embrace the pit, the prison, the wilderness. I will not run back to Egypt at the first hint of war. I trust that You are refining me like gold, certifying me for the greatness You have planned. Help me to learn what each stage is teaching me. Give me Joseph’s patience, David’s trust, and Jesus’ submission to the Father’s timing. I will not despise the long route, for I know that the short route would destroy me. Let the word of the LORD try me until the time that Your word comes. And when the process is complete, let me emerge purified, trusted, and ready for the weight of glory. In Jesus’ mighty name.”

Action Steps:

1. The Process Audit: Identify one area where you feel stuck in a “long route”—a delay, a difficulty, a wilderness. Ask God: What are You trying to teach me in this season? Write down the answer. Commit to learning the lesson.
2. The Shortcut Rejection: Is there any shortcut you have been tempted to take (compromise, self-promotion, dishonesty) to get out of your current difficulty? Write it down. Renounce it. Commit to God’s timing.
3. The Glory Focus: Find 2 Corinthians 4:17. Write it on an index card. Place it where you will see it daily. Every time you feel the weight of affliction, read it aloud: “This light affliction is working for me a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”

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The Open Heavens 6 July 2026 devotional for today is WILL YOU BE THERE?

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 5 July 2026 Devotional

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OPEN HEAVENS 6 JULY 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL

TOPIC: WILL YOU BE THERE?

MEMORISE:
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where am, there ye may be also.
John 14:3

READ: Revelation 21:1-27

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
² And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
³ And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
⁴ And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
⁵ And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

⁶ And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
⁷ He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
⁸ But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
⁹ And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.
¹⁰ And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

¹¹ Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
¹² And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
¹³ On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
¹⁴ And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
¹⁵ And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

¹⁶ And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
¹⁷ And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.
¹⁸ And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
¹⁹ And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;
²⁰ The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

²¹ And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
²² And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
²³ And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
²⁴ And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
²⁵ And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

²⁶ And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
²⁷ And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

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RCCG OPEN HEAVENS 6 JULY 2026 TODAY MESSAGE

The first time I travelled to the United States of America was in the summer of 1979, and I had an experience that can be described as heavenly. I stayed in Tulsa, and in that city, the sun would still be up late into the evening. The streets were so clean that it felt like one could eat off them. The bathroom of my hotel room had three faucets: one for hot water, another for warm water, and the last for cold water. Also, the electricity never went out, and everything was just fantastic.
After two weeks, I returned to Nigeria, and as the plane was about to land, I looked out of the window and noticed a stark difference between where I was coming from and where I was returning to, because in those days Nigeria was far less developed than it is now.

Beloved, my experience in Tulsa, all those years ago, can in no way be compared to heaven. In heaven, there is no night at all because, in today’s Bible reading, we are made to understand that ” the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof” (Revelation 21:23). Heaven is a beautiful place that no one should miss, and I pray that you will not miss it, in Jesus’ name.

Heaven is God’s promise to all believers. Jesus said in today’s memory verse that where He is, we will also be. If you have given your life to Jesus and are following Him faithfully, you will end up where He is at the end of your earthly sojourn. When children go to school, they know that at the end of the school day, they will return home to their parents.

Likewise, if God is truly your Father, you have an assurance that you will reign with Him in eternity after your sojourn here on earth. However, only those who have surrendered their lives to Jesus can be children of God, and only His children can spend eternity with Him in heaven.

Beloved, are you sure of where you will spend eternity? If you want your stay in heaven to be guaranteed, you must not allow sin in your heart.

You must be fully committed to Jesus Christ and do His will at all times. I have made up my mind to shun sin and be fully committed to Jesus Christ so l can spend my eternity with Him in heaven.

Will I see you there?

REFLECTION

Where will you spend eternity, Heaven or Hell?

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Proverbs 21-23

Hymn: I’m Pressing on the Upward

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 6 JULY 2026 COMMENTARY

MEMORISE: John 14:3

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

This verse is Jesus’ personal promise to every believer. Daddy Adeboye anchors today’s devotional on this text because it guarantees that heaven is not a vague hope or a wishful dream—it is a prepared place for a prepared people.

BIBLE READING: Revelation 21:1-27

This passage is the apostle John’s vision of the New Jerusalem—the final dwelling place of God with His people. It describes a city of unimaginable beauty: walls of jasper, foundations adorned with every precious stone, gates of pearl, streets of pure gold like transparent glass. There is no temple, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. There is no need for sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates it. There is no night, no curse, no tears, no death, no sorrow, no pain. Nothing impure or shameful will ever enter it.

An Earthly “Heaven” That Could Not Compare

1. Daddy Adeboye’s First Trip to America (1979)

“The first time I travelled to the United States of America was in the summer of 1979, and I had an experience that can be described as heavenly. I stayed in Tulsa, and in that city, the sun would still be up late into the evening. The streets were so clean that it felt like one could eat off them. The bathroom of my hotel room had three faucets: one for hot water, another for warm water, and the last for cold water. Also, the electricity never went out, and everything was just fantastic.”

Consider what made Tulsa feel “heavenly” to Daddy Adeboye in 1979:

Feature of Tulsa (1979)	Why It Seemed Heavenly
Long daylight hours	The sun stayed up late into the evening
Clean streets	So clean you felt you could eat off them
Three faucets in the bathroom	Hot, warm, and cold water options
Uninterrupted electricity	The power never went out
Everything fantastic	A stark contrast to developing Nigeria

For a man coming from a country where electricity was unreliable, water was scarce, and streets were not pristine, Tulsa felt like another world. It was, as he said, “an experience that can be described as heavenly.”

2. The Stark Contrast Upon Returning to Nigeria

“After two weeks, I returned to Nigeria, and as the plane was about to land, I looked out of the window and noticed a stark difference between where I was coming from and where I was returning to, because in those days Nigeria was far less developed than it is now.”

The contrast was jarring. One place had everything; the other had far less. But then Daddy Adeboye makes a crucial point:

“Beloved, my experience in Tulsa, all those years ago, can in no way be compared to heaven.”

Tulsa (1979)	Heaven (Revelation 21)
Sun still up late into evening	No need for sun or moon; God’s glory is the light
Clean streets (like you could eat off them)	Streets of pure gold, like transparent glass
Hot, warm, and cold water faucets	River of the water of life, clear as crystal
Electricity never went out	No night, no darkness, no need for lamps
Fantastic (humanly speaking)	Inexpressible glory; eye has not seen, nor ear heard

“Heaven is a beautiful place that no one should miss, and I pray that you will not miss it, in Jesus’ name.”

If Tulsa seemed heavenly to a man coming from 1970s Nigeria, how much more glorious is the actual heaven? No earthly comparison suffices. The most luxurious palace on earth is a shack compared to the New Jerusalem. The most advanced city on earth has no street that can compare to gold like transparent glass. The most reliable electricity grid eventually fails; heaven has no night.

Heaven: God’s Promise to Believers

1. Jesus’ Personal Promise (John 14:3)

“Heaven is God’s promise to all believers. Jesus said in today’s memory verse that where He is, we will also be.”

The Promise	The Certainty
“I go to prepare a place for you”	Heaven is being readied for you right now
“I will come again”	Jesus is returning; it is not a myth
“I will receive you unto myself”	Personal, not impersonal—He will come for you
“That where I am, there ye may be also”	You will be where He is, forever

“If you have given your life to Jesus and are following Him faithfully, you will end up where He is at the end of your earthly sojourn.”

Your Earthly Sojourn	Your Eternal Destination
Temporary, brief, a vapor	Permanent, unending, forever
Filled with trouble, tears, toil	Filled with glory, joy, rest
You follow Jesus by faith	You see Jesus face to face

2. The Child’s Assurance of Returning Home

“When children go to school, they know that at the end of the school day, they will return home to their parents. Likewise, if God is truly your Father, you have an assurance that you will reign with Him in eternity after your sojourn here on earth.”

The Child at School	The Believer on Earth
Knows school is temporary	Knows earth is temporary
Longs for home at the end of the day	Longs for heaven at the end of life
Trusts that parents are waiting	Trusts that the Father is waiting
Is not anxious about being abandoned	Has assurance of eternal home

“However, only those who have surrendered their lives to Jesus can be children of God, and only His children can spend eternity with Him in heaven.”

This is the critical condition. Heaven is not for good people. Heaven is not for religious people. Heaven is not for those who have done more good than bad. Heaven is for the children of God—those who have surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ, been born again, and received the right to become children of God (John 1:12).

The Urgent Question: Will You Be There?

“Beloved, are you sure of where you will spend eternity?”

Assurance of Heaven	No Assurance
You have surrendered your life to Jesus	You have not fully surrendered
You are following Him faithfully	You are living in sin or compromise
Sin is not allowed to reign in your heart	Sin has a place in your heart
You are committed to doing His will	You pick and choose which commands to obey

“If you want your stay in heaven to be guaranteed, you must not allow sin in your heart. You must be fully committed to Jesus Christ and do His will at all times.”

Allowing Sin in the Heart	Keeping the Heart Pure
Makes you unfit for heaven’s presence	Prepares you to dwell with the Holy God
Gives the devil a foothold	Gives the Spirit full access
Risks your eternal destination	Secures your place in glory

Hebrews 12:14 – “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”

Holiness is not optional for heaven. It is the prerequisite. Not sinless perfection, but a life that does not “allow sin in the heart”—a life that confesses, repents, and pursues righteousness.

Daddy Adeboye’s Personal Declaration

“I have made up my mind to shun sin and be fully committed to Jesus Christ so I can spend my eternity with Him in heaven. Will I see you there?”

Daddy Adeboye’s Decision	Your Decision
Made up his mind (resolute, settled)	Have you made up your mind?
To shun sin (avoid, reject, flee from)	Are you shunning sin or playing with it?
To be fully committed (not partially, not occasionally)	Are you fully committed or half-hearted?
So he can spend eternity with Jesus	Where will you spend eternity?

This is the most important question you will ever face. Not “How much money will you make?” Not “What will you achieve?” But: Will I see you in heaven?

What Heaven Will Be Like (Based on Revelation 21)

Daddy Adeboye highlights key features of heaven from today’s Bible reading:

Feature of Heaven	Earthly Contrast
No need for sun or moon	Earth’s light depends on celestial bodies
The glory of God is the light	Earth’s light is physical, not divine
The Lamb is the light thereof	Jesus is the center of heaven’s radiance
No night	Earth has darkness, shadows, fear
No curse	Earth is groaning under the curse of sin
No tears, death, sorrow, or pain	Earth is filled with all of these
Nothing impure or shameful enters	Earth has sin, corruption, impurity
The river of the water of life	Earth’s water is temporary, often polluted
The tree of life with healing leaves	Earth has sickness, disease, death

“Heaven is a beautiful place that no one should miss.”

How to Guarantee Your Place in Heaven (Practical Steps)

Based on Daddy Adeboye’s teaching, here is how to ensure that heaven is your eternal home:

1. Surrender Your Life to Jesus

If you have never given your life to Christ, do it now. Not tomorrow. Not “when you are better.” Now. Confess your sins. Believe that Jesus died for you and rose again. Receive Him as your Lord and Savior.

2. Do Not Allow Sin in Your Heart

What “Not Allowing Sin” Means	What It Does Not Mean
You confess and repent when you sin	You never sin (impossible)
You hate sin and fight against it	You are indifferent to sin
You do not make peace with sin	You are perfect (only Jesus was)
You flee temptation	You never face temptation

1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

3. Be Fully Committed to Jesus

Partial commitment is not enough. Jesus said, “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). Fully committed means:

• Your life is not divided between God and the world
• Your first priority is His kingdom
• You obey His word even when it costs you
• You are willing to go where He sends, do what He commands, give what He asks

4. Do His Will at All Times

Not only when it is convenient. Not only when you feel like it. Not only when others are watching. At all times—in public and private, in crisis and calm, in success and failure.

5. Keep Your Eyes on the Eternal, Not the Temporary

Tulsa was beautiful, but it was not heaven. The most wonderful earthly experience cannot compare to what God has prepared for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9). Do not trade your eternal home for temporary pleasure.

Warning: It Is Possible to Miss Heaven

Daddy Adeboye’s devotional carries an urgent warning: heaven is a promise, but it is a conditional promise. Not everyone will be there.

Who Will Be in Heaven	Who Will Not Be in Heaven
Those who have surrendered to Jesus	Those who have not surrendered
Those who do not allow sin in their hearts	Those who live in unrepentant sin
Those who are fully committed to Christ	Those who are lukewarm, half-hearted
Those who do His will	Those who do their own will

Revelation 21:27 – “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

Is your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life? Not “were you born in a Christian home?” Not “do you attend church?” Not “are you a good person?” Is your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life?

Conclusion: Your Prayer for Eternal Assurance

Daddy Adeboye closes with a personal declaration and a searching question: “Will I see you there?”Do not let this question go unanswered.

Pray this:

“Lord Jesus, I thank You that You have gone to prepare a place for me. I thank You that heaven is real, that it is glorious beyond imagination, and that You have promised to receive me to Yourself. Today, I examine my heart. Have I truly surrendered my life to You? Do I allow sin to reign in my heart? Am I fully committed to You, or am I holding back? Forgive me for every area of compromise. Forgive me for treating heaven as a vague hope rather than a certain destination. I make up my mind today: I will shun sin. I will be fully committed to You. I will do Your will at all times. I want my name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. I want to see Your face. I want to dwell in the city where there is no night, no tears, no pain. Prepare me for that place. Keep me faithful until the end. And when I close my eyes on this earth, let me open them in Your presence. In Jesus’ mighty name.”

Action Steps:

1. The Eternal Audit: Ask yourself honestly: If I died today, am I 100% certain that I would go to heaven? If there is any doubt, settle it today. Confess your sins. Renew your surrender to Christ.
2. The Sin Check: Identify any sin you have been “allowing in your heart”—any area where you have made peace with disobedience. Bring it to God in confession. Ask for grace to shun it completely.
3. The Final Question: Write on an index card: “Will I see you there?” Place it somewhere you will see daily. Let it remind you that your eternal destination is the most important reality you will ever face. Live today in light of that reality.

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Download Open Heavens 6 July 2026 Devotional PDF

The Open Heavens 5 July 2026 devotional for today is WHAT IS YOUR DEEPEST DESIRE?

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 4 July 2026 Devotional

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OPEN HEAVENS 5 JULY 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL

TOPIC: WHAT IS YOUR DEEPEST DESIRE?

MEMORISE:

My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.
Psalm 130:6

READ: John 12:20-21

²⁰ And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:
²¹ The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

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RCCG OPEN HEAVENS 5 JULY 2026 TODAY MESSAGE

One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
Psalm 27:4

In the Scripture above and many other instances in the Bible, David expressed his desire to dwell in God’s presence. In Psalm 63:1-2, he expressed his yearning to seek God early and see His power and glory. In verse 6 of the same chapter, he said that he remembered God upon his bed and meditated on Him in the night watches. Also, in today’s memory verse, he said that his soul waited for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning.

Watchmen always look forward to daybreak when they would be free to rest and relax, and David likened his intense desire for God to their longing for daybreak.

Beloved, what or whom are you seeking? In today’s Bible reading, certain Greeks went to worship at the feast in Jerusalem, and when they saw Philip, they said, “Sir, we would see Jesus.” If God gives you a blank cheque today, what will you ask for?

Will you ask for things that will perish with time, or will you ask to see Jesus? People who seek God only for material things will never truly be satisfied because they will ultimately fade away. However, those who genuinely seek God and His Kingdom always find Him (Jeremiah 29:13) and become truly satisfied, as every other thing they need is added to them (Matthew 6:33)

God will always draw near to those who draw near to Him (James 4:8); He showed this clearly in His relationship with David. Do you want God to love you in a special way? Do you want His presence with you at all times? Then your deepest desire should be to always please him (1 Thessalonians 4:1) and to continually grow in your knowledge of Him (Philippians 3:10).

Child of God, what is your deepest heart cry? What keeps you awake at night? Do you regularly think of how to amass material things for yourself or how to know God more? Whatever you are hungry and thirsty for will determine what you will get, and as Matthew 5:6 says, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” I pray that you will truly seek God’s face and experience the beauty of His holiness, in Jesus’ name.

REFLECTION:

What is your deepest heart cry: material things or Jesus?

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Proverbs 18-20

Open Heavens HYMN 8: I Need Thee Every Hour

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 5 JULY 2026 COMMENTARY

MEMORISE: Psalm 130:6

“My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.”

This verse captures the intensity of spiritual longing. Daddy Adeboye anchors today’s devotional on this text because it compares the believer’s desire for God to the watchman’s desperate anticipation of daybreak.

BIBLE READING: John 12:20-21

This passage records a brief but profound encounter. Certain Greeks had come to Jerusalem to worship at the feast. They approached Philip with a simple request: “Sir, we would see Jesus.” No other request. No list of needs. No demands for miracles or blessings. Just the desire to see Jesus.

The Heart of David: One Thing Have I Desired

1. David’s Single-Minded Pursuit (Psalm 27:4)

“In the Scripture above and many other instances in the Bible, David expressed his desire to dwell in God’s presence. In Psalm 63:1-2, he expressed his yearning to seek God early and see His power and glory.”

Psalm 27:4 – “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.”

Notice the singularity: “One thing have I desired.” David was not distracted by a thousand competing ambitions. He had one consuming passion: to dwell in God’s presence, to behold God’s beauty, to inquire in God’s temple.

What David Desired	What He Did Not Prioritize
To dwell in God’s house	Palaces, thrones, earthly security
To behold God’s beauty	Gold, silver, material riches
To inquire in God’s temple	Human wisdom, political alliances
God’s presence	God’s presents (blessings, gifts, prosperity)

“In verse 6 of the same chapter, he said that he remembered God upon his bed and meditated on Him in the night watches. Also, in today’s memory verse, he said that his soul waited for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning.”

Psalm 63:6 – “When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.”

David did not only seek God when he was in trouble. He did not only pray when he needed something. He remembered God upon his bed—in the quiet hours, in the darkness, when no one was watching. His desire for God was not performance; it was passion.

2. The Watchman’s Longing (Psalm 130:6)

“Watchmen always look forward to daybreak when they would be free to rest and relax, and David likened his intense desire for God to their longing for daybreak.”

The Watchman’s Longing	David’s Longing for God
Desperate for the night to end	Desperate for more of God’s presence
Strains his eyes toward the horizon	Strains his soul toward the Lord
Cannot rest until dawn comes	Cannot rest until he encounters God
Morning is his only hope	God is his only hope

“More than they that watch for the morning” — the repetition emphasizes intensity. David does not just say it once; he says it twice: “I say, more than they that watch for the morning.” His desire for God exceeds every other longing.

The Greeks’ Request: “We Would See Jesus”

“In today’s Bible reading, certain Greeks went to worship at the feast in Jerusalem, and when they saw Philip, they said, ‘Sir, we would see Jesus.’”

Consider what these Greeks did NOT ask for:

What They Did Not Ask	What They Asked
Healing for a sick relative	“We would see Jesus”
Financial breakthrough	“We would see Jesus”
Deliverance from oppression	“We would see Jesus”
Political favor or protection	“We would see Jesus”
A miracle, a sign, a wonder	“We would see Jesus”

They had heard about Jesus. They had traveled to the feast. They could have asked for anything. But their request was simple, direct, and profound: “Sir, we would see Jesus.”

“If God gives you a blank cheque today, what will you ask for? Will you ask for things that will perish with time, or will you ask to see Jesus?”

The Blank Cheque Test	What Your Answer Reveals
If you ask for money, houses, cars	You value perishable things
If you ask for healing, deliverance, breakthrough	You value temporary relief
If you ask for ministry success, fame, influence	You value earthly recognition
If you ask for more of God, to see Jesus, to know Him	You value the eternal

“People who seek God only for material things will never truly be satisfied because they will ultimately fade away. However, those who genuinely seek God and His Kingdom always find Him (Jeremiah 29:13) and become truly satisfied, as every other thing they need is added to them (Matthew 6:33).”

Seek God Only for What He Gives	Seek God for Who He Is
Never truly satisfied	Truly satisfied
The things they pursue fade away	God never fades; He is eternal
They may get things but miss the Giver	They get the Giver, and things are added

God’s Response to Those Who Seek Him

1. He Draws Near to Those Who Draw Near (James 4:8)

“God will always draw near to those who draw near to Him (James 4:8); He showed this clearly in His relationship with David.”

If You Draw Near to God	God’s Response
You take a step toward Him	He takes a step toward you
You seek His face	He reveals Himself to you
You desire His presence	He dwells with you
You pursue Him	He is found by you (Jeremiah 29:13)

David was not perfect. He sinned grievously. But his heart was always oriented toward God. He sought God early, meditated on Him at night, waited for Him more than watchmen wait for morning. And God responded by calling David “a man after mine own heart” (Acts 13:22).

2. He Gives Himself to the Hungry (Matthew 5:6)

“Whatever you are hungry and thirsty for will determine what you will get, and as Matthew 5:6 says, ‘Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.’”

What You Hunger For	What You Will Receive
Righteousness, God’s presence, to see Jesus	Filled to overflowing
Money, possessions, worldly success	You may get them, but you will not be filled
Fame, recognition, power	Empty, dissatisfied, always wanting more

“Do you want God to love you in a special way? Do you want His presence with you at all times? Then your deepest desire should be to always please him (1 Thessalonians 4:1) and to continually grow in your knowledge of Him (Philippians 3:10).”

1 Thessalonians 4:1 – “Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.”

Philippians 3:10 – “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.”

Paul’s deepest desire was not for comfort, safety, or material blessing. It was to know Christ. To know Him in the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings. That is the heart of one who has learned to say, “We would see Jesus.”

Examining Your Deepest Heart Cry

Daddy Adeboye asks penetrating questions:

“Child of God, what is your deepest heart cry? What keeps you awake at night? Do you regularly think of how to amass material things for yourself or how to know God more?”

Questions to Ask Yourself	What Your Answers Reveal
What do you think about when you cannot sleep?	Your deepest obsession
What would you ask for if God gave you a blank cheque?	Your true priority
What are you hungry and thirsty for?	What you will be filled with
What keeps you seeking, praying, pursuing?	The true desire of your heart

“I pray that you will truly seek God’s face and experience the beauty of His holiness, in Jesus’ name.”

How to Cultivate a Heart That Seeks God Above All (Practical Steps)

Based on Daddy Adeboye’s teaching and the examples of David and the Greeks, here is how to make “seeing Jesus” your deepest desire:

1. Conduct a Blank Cheque Test

Today, imagine God says to you, “Ask what you will, and I will give it to you.” Write down your immediate answer. Then ask yourself: Does this request reveal a heart that seeks God or merely His gifts? If your answer is not “more of You, Lord,” repent and redirect your desire.

2. Practice the Discipline of Waiting for the Lord

David said, “My soul waiteth for the Lord.” Waiting is not passivity; it is active expectation. Set aside time each day to simply be in God’s presence—not asking, not listing needs, not rushing. Wait. Long. Watch.

Instead of…	Practice…
Rushing through prayer	Lingering in God’s presence
Asking for many things	Seeking His face above all
Focusing on needs	Focusing on Him
Checking the clock	Waiting like a watchman for morning

3. Memorize and Meditate on Psalm 27:4

Make David’s “one thing” your one thing. Write it on an index card. Recite it daily: “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.”

4. Let “We Would See Jesus” Be Your Prayer

When you wake, pray: “Lord, today, I would see Jesus.” When you read Scripture, read to see Jesus. When you worship, worship to encounter Jesus. When you pray, pray to know Jesus. Make seeing Him your singular pursuit.

5. Evaluate What Keeps You Awake

If you lie awake at night worrying about money, planning your career, or replaying offenses, your heart is not set on God. Redirect those sleepless hours to prayer and meditation on God. Let what keeps you awake be the longing for His presence.

Warning: You Can Seek God’s Gifts and Miss God Himself

Daddy Adeboye’s devotional carries a sobering warning: it is possible to be religious, to pray, to attend church, to even serve in ministry—all while seeking God’s hand rather than His face.

Seeking God’s Hand	Seeking God’s Face
Focused on what God gives	Focused on who God is
Prayers are shopping lists	Prayers are encounters
Satisfaction depends on receiving	Satisfaction is found in Him alone
When gifts stop, seeking stops	Even in drought, the seeker remains
May receive things but miss the Giver	Receives the Giver, and all things with Him

Do not be satisfied with blessings. Do not settle for miracles. Do not trade the Presence for the presents. Let your deepest heart cry be: “Sir, we would see Jesus.”

Conclusion: Your Prayer to See Jesus

Daddy Adeboye closes with a prayer that you will truly seek God’s face and experience the beauty of His holiness. Not His hand. Not His gifts. His face.

Pray this:

“Lord Jesus, I confess that too often I have sought Your hand rather than Your face. I have asked for blessings, miracles, and provision—but I have not asked simply to see You. Forgive me for treating You like a vending machine rather than the Lover of my soul. Today, I echo the cry of David: ‘One thing have I desired—to dwell in Your house, to behold Your beauty, to inquire in Your temple.’ I echo the request of the Greeks: ‘Sir, we would see Jesus.’ Give me a hunger and thirst for righteousness that cannot be satisfied with anything less than You. Let my soul wait for You more than the watchman waits for morning. Whether You give me anything else or not, give me Yourself. You are my deepest heart cry. You are my one thing. In Jesus’ mighty name.”

Action Steps:

1. The Blank Cheque Test: Take a sheet of paper. Write at the top: “If God gave me a blank cheque today, I would ask for…” Write your honest answer. Then examine it. If Jesus is not at the top of the list, tear up the paper, repent, and rewrite it.
2. The Night Watch Practice: For the next seven nights, before you sleep, spend five minutes in silence, saying to the Lord: “My soul waits for You more than watchmen wait for morning.” Let this prayer be the last thing on your lips.
3. The “We Would See Jesus” Prayer: Every morning this week, pray: “Lord, I don’t know what else this day holds, but I know what I want: I want to see Jesus. Open my eyes to see Him in Scripture, in worship, in prayer, in the faces of Your people. Sir, I would see Jesus.”

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The Open Heavens 4 July 2026 devotional for today is WHILE IT IS DAY.

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 3 July 2026 Devotional

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OPEN HEAVENS 4 JULY 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL

TOPIC: WHILE IT IS DAY

MEMORISE:

Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.
John 11:9

READ: Joshua 13:1-5

Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the Lord said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.
² This is the land that yet remaineth: all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri,
³ From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:
⁴ From the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that is beside the Sidonians unto Aphek, to the borders of the Amorites:
⁵ And the land of the Giblites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising, from Baalgad under mount Hermon unto the entering into Hamath.

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RCCG OPEN HEAVENS 4 JULY 2026 TODAY MESSAGE

The account of some of Joshua’s great exploits can be found in Joshua 12. The chapter highlights all the kings he conquered and the lands he possessed. It was indeed a long list of victories, and any fellow who achieved the things Joshua did would be proud of such exploits.

However, in the next chapter, which is today’s Bible reading, God told him that even though he was now old, there remained much land to be possessed. God then went ahead to list all the lands that remained unconquered, making him know that there was still so much to do.

Beloved, there is a set time when you must do the works of Him who sent you. In John 9:4. Jesus said, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”

For every human, there is a daytime and a nighttime. The daytime is the portion of a fellow’s life when he or she is young and agile. In the daytime, a fellow has the strength to go around preaching the gospel of Christ and can fast and pray as long as he or she wants to.

However, by nighttime, the fellow’s strength would have abated. Also, when some people’s nighttime comes, they become sick and are unable to continue working.

Therefore, if you have the opportunity to do God’s work now, do it with all your strength and focus.

Even if you are well advanced in years, the fact that you are alive means that there is still so much you can do for God, just as He showed Joshua in today’s Bible reading.

There are 24 hours in a day. Approximately half of those hours are characterised by the presence of sunlight, and during those hours, most people work on their goals. After those hours of light, darkness descends.

Jesus said in John 11:10 that if a man walks in the night, he stumbles. This means that NOW is the time to serve God and carry out any assignments He might have committed into your hands. You must get to work now because when the night comes, no one, including you, will be able to work.

Therefore, work while it is still day. Don’t procrastinate God’s work. Heal the sick, preach the gospel, cast out demons, mentor the next generation, and let your light so shine before men that they may glorify your Father in heaven.

KEY POINT

Work while it is day.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Proverbs 15-17

Open Heavens HYMN 32: TO THE WORK! TO THE WORK! WE ARE SERVANTS OF GOD

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 4 JULY 2026 COMMENTARY

MEMORISE: John 11:9

“Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.”

This verse establishes the reality of a limited window for effective work. Daddy Adeboye anchors today’s devotional on this text because it reveals that the “daytime” of life—the season of strength, opportunity, and visibility—has a fixed length. Just as a literal day has twelve hours of light, your life has a divinely appointed season for labor. Therefore, the only wise response is to work now, while the light lasts.

BIBLE READING: Joshua 13:1-5

This passage records God’s words to Joshua in his old age. Joshua had led Israel through decades of conquest. The previous chapter (Joshua 12) lists an impressive catalog of defeated kings—thirty-one in total. One might think the work was complete. But God says to Joshua: “Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.” Then God proceeds to list all the unconquered territories. The fact that you are still alive means God still has an assignment for you.

Joshua’s Great Exploits and God’s Correction

1. The Long List of Victories (Joshua 12)

“The account of some of Joshua’s great exploits can be found in Joshua 12. The chapter highlights all the kings he conquered and the lands he possessed. It was indeed a long list of victories, and any fellow who achieved the things Joshua did would be proud of such exploits.”

Consider Joshua’s track record:

Victories Under Joshua	Significance
Conquest of Jericho	Walls fell at the shout of faith
Conquest of Ai	Victory after initial defeat and cleansing of sin
Defeat of the southern coalition	Sun stood still at Joshua’s command (Joshua 10)
Defeat of the northern coalition	Multiple kings and armies destroyed
Thirty-one kings defeated	An astonishing military achievement

Joshua had every reason to feel satisfied. He had led a generation into the Promised Land. He had won battles that seemed impossible. He had seen miracles that no living person had witnessed. Humanly speaking, he had earned the right to rest.

2. God’s Unexpected Word (Joshua 13:1)

“However, in the next chapter, which is today’s Bible reading, God told him that even though he was now old, there remained much land to be possessed. God then went ahead to list all the lands that remained unconquered, making him know that there was still so much to do.”

Joshua’s Perspective	God’s Perspective
“I have done so much”	“There is still much to do”
“I am old”	“You are alive, so you are still useful”
“The victories are many”	“The unconquered lands are many”
“I can rest now”	“Work while it is day”

“Even if you are well advanced in years, the fact that you are alive means that there is still so much you can do for God, just as He showed Joshua in today’s Bible reading.”

This is a crucial point. Age is not an excuse for retirement from kingdom work. As long as you have breath, you have assignment. As long as you are alive, there is “much land” still to be possessed—souls to win, disciples to make, prayers to pray, generational transfers to complete.

The Daytime and Nighttime of Life

1. The Daytime: The Season of Strength and Opportunity

“For every human, there is a daytime and a nighttime. The daytime is the portion of a fellow’s life when he or she is young and agile. In the daytime, a fellow has the strength to go around preaching the gospel of Christ and can fast and pray as long as he or she wants to.”

Characteristics of the Daytime	What You Can Do
Youth and agility	Travel, preach, serve actively
Strength and energy	Fast long, pray long, labor hard
Health and vitality	Take on difficult assignments
Opportunity and access	Influence others, mentor, lead

“Therefore, if you have the opportunity to do God’s work now, do it with all your strength and focus.”

The daytime is a gift. It is not guaranteed to last. Do not waste it on trivial pursuits, selfish ambitions, or lazy indifference. Use your strength for the Kingdom while you still have strength.

2. The Nighttime: The Season When Work Ceases

“However, by nighttime, the fellow’s strength would have abated. Also, when some people’s nighttime comes, they become sick and are unable to continue working.”

Characteristics of the Nighttime	What You Can No Longer Do
Advanced age	Travel extensively, endure long physical labor
Declining health	Fast for many days, stay up in prayer for hours
Diminished strength	Take on physically demanding assignments
End of life	Work on earth (the night comes when no man can work)

John 9:4 – “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”

Jesus spoke these words with urgency. He knew His “day” was finite. He knew the cross was approaching. He did not procrastinate. He worked while He could.

The Danger of Walking in the Night (John 11:10)

“Jesus said in John 11:10 that if a man walks in the night, he stumbles. This means that NOW is the time to serve God and carry out any assignments He might have committed into your hands. You must get to work now because when the night comes, no one, including you, will be able to work.”

Walking in the Day	Walking in the Night
Sees the light of this world	Stumbles because there is no light
Works effectively	Cannot work
Fulfills purpose	Misses opportunity
Avoids obstacles	Falls into traps

“Don’t procrastinate God’s work.”

Procrastination is the enemy of destiny. Tomorrow is not promised. Next year is not guaranteed. The “night” may come suddenly—illness, accident, unexpected death, or simply the gradual decline of strength that makes what you could do today impossible tomorrow.

What You Should Do While It Is Still Day

Based on Daddy Adeboye’s teaching and the examples of Joshua and Jesus, here is a checklist of kingdom work that cannot be postponed:

1. Heal the Sick

Do not wait until you have “more faith” or “more training.” Pray for the sick now. Lay hands on the suffering now. The power of God is available in the present, not just in some future season.

2. Preach the Gospel

Don’t Wait For…	Preach Now
A bigger platform	Share with one person today
More eloquence	Speak what you know
A pulpit	Witness in the marketplace, workplace, home

3. Cast Out Demons

The authority of the believer is not reserved for “experts.” Jesus gave His authority to all who believe. Set captives free now. Break bondages now. Do not delay deliverance.

4. Mentor the Next Generation

Joshua was old, but God told him there was still land to possess—including the land of the Philistines, the Sidonians, and others. Part of that “land” was the raising up of the next generation. Do not die with your gift still inside you. Transfer what you know. Pour into younger believers.

5. Let Your Light Shine (Matthew 5:16)

“Let your light so shine before men that they may glorify your Father in heaven.”

How to Shine	Do It Now
Good works	Stop waiting for the “perfect” opportunity
Acts of kindness	Do not delay when someone is in need
Public testimony	Speak of God’s goodness while you have breath

The Urgency of Now

Daddy Adeboye’s devotional carries an urgent tone: “You must get to work now.”

Excuse for Delay	The Truth
“I’ll serve God when I retire”	You may not live to retire, or your health may fail
“I’ll witness when I’m more confident”	Confidence comes by doing, not waiting
“I’ll pray more when I have more time”	You will never have more time; you have only now
“I’ll start that ministry next year”	Next year may never come for you

“There are 24 hours in a day. Approximately half of those hours are characterised by the presence of sunlight, and during those hours, most people work on their goals. After those hours of light, darkness descends.”

The analogy is simple but profound:

The Sunlit Hours	The Hours of Darkness
Work is possible	Work is impossible
Progress is made	Stumbling occurs
Goals are achieved	Opportunity is lost

Your life is the “day.” Your death or decline is the “night.” You do not know how many hours of daylight remain. Therefore, work now.

Warning: Do Not Presume Upon Tomorrow

Daddy Adeboye’s devotional carries a sobering warning: the night is coming. It may come sooner than you think.

James 4:13-14	The Application
“Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city… whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow.”	Do not assume you have tomorrow to serve God
“For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”	Your “daytime” is brief—a vapor, a mist

Do not be like the rich fool in Luke 12 who said, “Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” God said to him, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee.” His “night” came unexpectedly. His work was undone.

How to Maximize Your Daytime (Practical Steps)

Based on Daddy Adeboye’s teaching, here is how to ensure you are working while it is still day:

1. Identify Your Assigned Work

Ask God: What is the “land” You have given me to possess? For Joshua, it was unconquered territories. For you, it may be a family, a community, a ministry, a sphere of influence. Know your assignment.

2. Stop Procrastinating

Identify one thing God has been asking you to do that you have delayed. Do it today. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Today.

Procrastinated Task	Do It Now
A difficult conversation	Make the call today
A financial commitment to God’s work	Give the offering today
A ministry assignment	Start the planning today
An act of forgiveness	Forgive now

3. Use Your Strength While You Have It

Do not save your best energy for yourself. Do not exhaust yourself on trivial pursuits and offer God your leftovers. Young or old, strong or weak, give God the best of your strength while you still have strength to give.

4. Pour Into Others Before Your Night Comes

Joshua was old. His strength was fading. But God said there was still land to possess—including the raising up of the next generation. Do not die with your wisdom unshared. Write it down. Speak it out. Mentor someone younger.

5. Live Each Day as If It Were Your Last

Not in morbid fear, but in urgent purpose. Ask each morning: If this were my last day of “daytime,” what would I do for the Kingdom today? Then do it.

Conclusion: Your Prayer for Urgency and Fruitfulness

Daddy Adeboye closes with a call to work while it is still day. Do not procrastinate. Do not assume tomorrow. The night is coming. Work now.

Pray this:

“Lord Jesus, I thank You that You have given me a daytime—a season of strength, opportunity, and light. Forgive me for the hours I have wasted. Forgive me for the procrastination, the excuses, the delays. Forgive me for acting as if my night will never come. Today, I receive the word You spoke to Joshua: even though I may be old, even though I may be tired, there is still much land to possess. Show me the unconquered territories in my life—the souls to win, the disciples to make, the prayers to pray, the generational transfers to complete. I will work while it is day. I will not stumble in the night. Heal the sick through me. Preach the gospel through me. Let my light shine before men. Use me until my last breath. In Jesus’ mighty name.”

Action Steps:

1. The “Much Land” Audit: Ask God to show you the “land that remains to be possessed” in your life—specific assignments, people to reach, areas of service you have neglected. Write them down.
2. The Procrastination Confession: Identify one specific task God has given you that you have been delaying. Commit to completing it within 48 hours. Do not let another week pass.
3. The Daytime Schedule: For the next 30 days, schedule your kingdom work first, not last. Before you fill your calendar with entertainment, hobbies, or non-essentials, block out time for prayer, witness, service, and mentoring. Protect your “daytime” hours.

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The Open Heavens 3 July 2026 devotional for today is PRAYERS FOR ELDERS.

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 2 July 2026 Devotional

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OPEN HEAVENS 3 JULY 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL

TOPIC: PRAYERS FOR ELDERS

MEMORISE:
And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.
Deuteronomy 34:7

READ: Psalm 92:12-15

¹² The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
¹³ Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.
¹⁴ They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
¹⁵ To shew that the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

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RCCG OPEN HEAVENS 3 JULY 2026 TODAY PRAYERS

1. Father, I thank You for the elders in my family, church, and community. Thank You for Your protection, provision, guidance, and blessings in their lives.
2. Lord, please help the elders around me to flourish mentally, physically, and spiritually, even in their old age. May they not be victims of ailments in their old age, in Jesus’ name.
3. Father, let the fire for Your kingdom keep burning in the lives of the elders in my church. May they continue to bear fruits in Your kingdom, in Jesus’ name.
4. Lord, please continue to shower the elders around me with Your wisdom so they can lead the younger ones in the right way.
5. Lord, please surround all the elders around me with Your peace. Let sorrow and anxiety be far from them, in Jesus’ name.
6. Lord, I pray that the elders in my family, church, and community will fulfil the number of their days.
   May their lives not be cut off before their time, in Jesus’ name.
7. Father, please let all the elders around me experience Your ever-abiding presence in deeper ways as they age, in Jesus’ name.
8. Father, please let the elders around me be surrounded with love and compassion. Let none of them lack care and support in their old age, in Jesus’ name.
9. Father, please stretch out Your healing hands towards any elder who is sick. Restore their health speedily, in Jesus’ name.
10. Father, please surround every elderly person grieving the loss of a loved one with Your overwhelming comfort. Let them experience Your joy and peace that passes all understanding, in Jesus’ name.
11. Lord, please save the souls of every elderly person yet to know you and restore those who may have backslidden to You before they leave the earth, in Jesus’ name.
12. Your personal prayers for elders.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Proverbs 12-14

Open Heavens HYMN 22: SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER

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The Open Heavens 1 July 2026 devotional for today is
DON’T LOSE YOUR SIGHT.

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 30 June 2026 Devotional

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OPEN HEAVENS 1 JULY 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL

TOPIC: DON’T LOSE YOUR SIGHT

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

READ: Judges 16:4-26

⁴ And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.
⁵ And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him; and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver.

⁶ And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee.
⁷ And Samson said unto her, If they bind me with seven green withs that were never dried, then shall I be weak, and be as another man.
⁸ Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven green withs which had not been dried, and she bound him with them.
⁹ Now there were men lying in wait, abiding with her in the chamber. And she said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he brake the withs, as a thread of tow is broken when it toucheth the fire. So his strength was not known.
¹⁰ And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound.

¹¹ And he said unto her, If they bind me fast with new ropes that never were occupied, then shall I be weak, and be as another man.
¹² Delilah therefore took new ropes, and bound him therewith, and said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And there were liers in wait abiding in the chamber. And he brake them from off his arms like a thread.
¹³ And Delilah said unto Samson, Hitherto thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: tell me wherewith thou mightest be bound. And he said unto her, If thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web.
¹⁴ And she fastened it with the pin, and said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awaked out of his sleep, and went away with the pin of the beam, and with the web.
¹⁵ And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth.

¹⁶ And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death;
¹⁷ That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother’s womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.
¹⁸ And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand.
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.
²² Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven.
²³ Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice: for they said, Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand.
²⁴ And when the people saw him, they praised their god: for they said, Our god hath delivered into our hands our enemy, and the destroyer of our country, which slew many of us.
²⁵ And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars.
²⁶ And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them.

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RCCG OPEN HEAVEN 1 JULY 2026 TODAY MESSAGE

In today’s Bible reading, Delilah manipulated Samson into revealing the secret of his strength, then she passed it on to the Philistines. Armed with this information, the Philistines shaved off his hair while he was asleep on her knees, captured him, plucked out his eyes, and imprisoned him.

However, after a while, his hair began to grow again, but he never regained his sight. The same man who killed a lion with his fists, killed a thousand people with the jawbone of an ass, and carried the heavy gates of a city up a hill, now needed a young boy to guide him so he wouldn’t trip and fall because of his involvement with a Philistine woman against God’s law. Those who toy with sin are in grave danger of losing their sight like Samson.

The devil and his cohorts are referred to as the rulers of the darkness of this world (Ephesians 6.12), and they want everyone to live in darkness with them. This is why they will stop at nothing to make believers lose their spiritual sight.

Christians who lose their spiritual sight often begin to call good ‘evil’ and evil ‘good and become slaves to the things they had once conquered. This is why a man of God who had once preached against sin, for example, can turn around to say that adultery is not a sin. Such a fellow might even misquote Scriptures to justify his blindness. The devil often causes believers to lose their spiritual sight by exploiting their weaknesses and causing them to fall into sin, as he did with Samson.

Before Samson fell, the Philistines studied him carefully to discover his weakness, and they noticed that he had a lustful desire for women, so they connived with Delilah to bring him down. Likewise, the devil studies people to discover their weaknesses, so he can tempt them into committing sin, and then take their spiritual sight. Don’t fall into his trap!

Beloved, do you find yourself falling into some particular sins repeatedly? Are you living in sin while still trying to show up like a devoted Christian? Don’t let satan succeed in removing your spiritual eyes so he can imprison you.

Approach God in humility and ask for His help. He gives grace to the humble (James 4:6), and His grace will help you overcome sin (Romans 614). May you never lose your sight, in Jesus’ name.

KEY POINT

Don’t toy with sin so you don’t lose your spiritual sight.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Proverbs 4-7

Open Heavens HYMN 34: YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 1 JULY 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 sight. Daddy Adeboye anchors today’s devotional on this text because it reveals the dire consequence of losing your spiritual vision: the “sleep of death”—a state of spiritual stupor, captivity, and powerlessness. David knew that without enlightened eyes, he would drift into a deathlike slumber, unable to see danger, unable to resist temptation, unable to fulfill his purpose. The prayer “lighten mine eyes” is a cry for God to restore the brightness of spiritual perception. When your eyes are darkened, you stumble. When they are lightened, you walk in victory.

BIBLE READING: Judges 16:4-26

This passage records the tragic downfall of Samson. He loved a woman named Delilah in the valley of Sorek. The Philistine lords bribed her to discover the secret of his strength. Three times Samson gave false answers; three times Delilah pressed him. Finally, worn out by her persistent nagging, he told her that his strength lay in his uncut hair, a symbol of his Nazirite vow to God. While he slept on her knees, she called a man to shave off the seven locks of his head. His strength left him, for the LORD had departed from him. The Philistines captured him, gouged out his eyes, bound him with bronze fetters, and made him grind grain in the prison house. But the hair on his head began to grow again. Daddy Adeboye uses this to show that sin blinds, imprisons, and reduces the mightiest warrior to helplessness.

Samson: The Mighty Warrior Who Lost His Sight

1. His Incredible Past Victories

“The same man who killed a lion with his fists, killed a thousand people with the jawbone of an ass, and carried the heavy gates of a city up a hill, now needed a young boy to guide him so he wouldn’t trip and fall because of his involvement with a Philistine woman against God’s law.”

Consider Samson’s former exploits:

Samson’s Victories	Demonstration of Power
Killed a lion with his bare hands	Raw, supernatural strength (Judges 14:5-6)
Killed a thousand Philistines with a jawbone	One man defeated an army (Judges 15:15-16)
Carried the gates of Gaza up a hill	Uprooted and carried massive city gates (Judges 16:3)

This was the man whom God had raised to deliver Israel from Philistine oppression. He was unstoppable, invincible, and feared.

2. His Tragic Fall

“However, after a while, his hair began to grow again, but he never regained his sight.”

Notice the tragic details:

What Samson Lost	The Consequence
His hair (symbol of his Nazirite vow)	The LORD departed from him
His strength	He became like any other man
His eyes (gouged out by the Philistines)	He became blind, helpless, dependent
His freedom	He was imprisoned, grinding grain like an animal

“Those who toy with sin are in grave danger of losing their sight like Samson.”

The progression is clear:

• Toying with sin (Samson’s repeated visits to Philistine women)
• Compromise (revealing the secret of his strength)
• Spiritual departure (the LORD left him)
• Physical blindness (his eyes were gouged out)
• Imprisonment and humiliation

But notice the most haunting detail: “his hair began to grow again, but he never regained his sight.”His strength could be restored, but his eyes could not. Some consequences of sin are permanent. Even after repentance, even after restoration of power, the scars remain.

How the Devil Steals Spiritual Sight

1. The Devil’s Strategy: Exploit Weaknesses

“The devil and his cohorts are referred to as the rulers of the darkness of this world (Ephesians 6:12), and they want everyone to live in darkness with them. This is why they will stop at nothing to make believers lose their spiritual sight.”

The Devil’s Goal	His Method
Keep you in darkness	Blind you to truth, to danger, to God’s will
Make you ineffective	Render you powerless, imprisoned, useless for the kingdom
Bring you into captivity	Make you a slave to sin, to habits, to shame

“Before Samson fell, the Philistines studied him carefully to discover his weakness, and they noticed that he had a lustful desire for women, so they connived with Delilah to bring him down.”

This is the enemy’s playbook:

Step	What the Enemy Does	Example from Samson
1	Study you carefully	The Philistines observed Samson’s pattern
2	Identify your weakness	His lustful desire for women
3	Send temptation tailored to that weakness	Delilah
4	Use persistence and pressure	Day after day, nagging until he broke
5	Exploit the moment of vulnerability	While he slept on her knees

“Likewise, the devil studies people to discover their weaknesses, so he can tempt them into committing sin, and then take their spiritual sight. Don’t fall into his trap!”

Your Weakness	The Enemy’s Temptation	The Goal
Lust	Impure images, inappropriate relationships	Blind you, imprison you
Greed	Get-rich-quick schemes, dishonest gain	Blind you, trap you
Pride	Positions of honor, recognition, applause	Blind you, isolate you
Anger	Offenses, grudges, unforgiveness	Blind you, poison you
Fear	Intimidation, threats, anxiety	Blind you, paralyze you

2. The Symptoms of Lost Spiritual Sight

“Christians who lose their spiritual sight often begin to call good ‘evil’ and evil ‘good’ and become slaves to the things they had once conquered.”

Spiritual Blindness Causes	Example
Moral inversion	Calling good “evil” and evil “good” (Isaiah 5:20)
Justification of sin	A preacher who once condemned adultery now says it is not sin
Scripture twisting	Misquoting the Bible to justify blindness
Slavery to former conquerors	Being bound by sins you once defeated

“This is why a man of God who had once preached against sin, for example, can turn around to say that adultery is not a sin. Such a fellow might even misquote Scriptures to justify his blindness.”

This is the terrifying progression of spiritual blindness:

1. You fall into sin
2. Your spiritual eyes are darkened
3. You no longer see sin as sin
4. You begin to defend what you once condemned
5. You twist Scripture to support your deception
6. You become a blind leader of the blind (Matthew 15:14)

The Signs That You Are Losing Your Spiritual Sight

Based on Daddy Adeboye’s teaching, here are diagnostic questions to assess your spiritual vision:

Question	If Yes, You May Be Losing Your Sight
Do you find yourself falling into the same sins repeatedly?	You are trapped in a cycle of blindness
Do you justify sins you once condemned?	Your moral compass is failing
Can you sin without feeling conviction?	Your conscience has been seared
Do you still “show up like a devoted Christian” while living in sin?	You are wearing a mask over blind eyes
Do you feel powerless against temptations you once conquered?	Your strength has departed

“Beloved, do you find yourself falling into some particular sins repeatedly? Are you living in sin while still trying to show up like a devoted Christian? Don’t let satan succeed in removing your spiritual eyes so he can imprison you.”

How to Protect and Restore Your Spiritual Sight

Based on Daddy Adeboye’s teaching, here is how to avoid Samson’s tragedy:

1. Identify Your Weakness Before the Enemy Does

Samson did not seem to know his own weakness. The Philistines studied him and found it before he addressed it. Ask God honestly: Lord, where am I most vulnerable? What temptation consistently trips me? Then take proactive measures to guard that area.

Weakness	Protective Action
Lustful eyes	Covenant with your eyes like Job (Job 31:1); avoid tempting situations; use accountability software
Greed	Give generously; avoid get-rich schemes; practice contentment
Pride	Seek humble service; welcome correction; give God the glory for every success
Anger	Forgive quickly; avoid triggers; pray before reacting

2. Stay Away from “Delilah” Situations

Samson kept going back to Delilah. He knew she was working for the Philistines. He knew she was trying to destroy him. Yet he kept returning. Do not play with fire. Do not put yourself in situations where you know temptation will be strong.

3. Guard Your Nazirite Vow (Whatever God Has Set You Apart With)

For Samson, it was his hair—the outward sign of his consecration to God. For you, it may be:

• Prayer time (skip it, and you weaken)
• Bible study (neglect it, and you become blind)
• Fellowship with believers (isolate yourself, and you become vulnerable)
• Holiness standards (compromise a little, and the door opens)

“Don’t let satan succeed in removing your spiritual eyes so he can imprison you.”

4. If You Have Fallen, Humble Yourself and Return

“Approach God in humility and ask for His help. He gives grace to the humble (James 4:6), and His grace will help you overcome sin (Romans 6:14).”*

Prideful Response	Humble Response
“I can handle this on my own”	“Lord, I need Your help”
“It’s not that bad”	“I have sinned; forgive me”
“I’ll stop when I’m ready”	“Deliver me now, Lord”
Blaming others, circumstances, or God	Taking full responsibility, repenting fully

James 4:6 – “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”

The Proud	The Humble
God resists them	God gives them grace
They fall and stay down	They fall but rise again
They justify their sin	They confess and forsake their sin
They lose their sight permanently	Their eyes are lightened again

Romans 6:14 – “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”

Sin does not have to be your master. Grace is available to break the cycle. But grace comes to the humble, not to the proud.

Warning: Some Consequences of Sin Are Permanent

Daddy Adeboye’s devotional carries a sobering warning: Samson’s hair grew back, but his eyes never did. He regained his strength, but he never regained his sight.

Sin Can Be Forgiven	But Some Consequences Remain
David was forgiven for adultery and murder	The child died; his family was never the same
Samson’s strength returned	He never saw again
Peter was restored after denying Christ	He wept bitterly; the memory remained

Do not presume that you can sin, repent, and have everything exactly as it was before. God forgives completely, but He does not always remove the earthly consequences. The best course is to never lose your sight in the first place.

“May you never lose your sight, in Jesus’ name.”

Conclusion: Your Prayer for Lightened Eyes

Daddy Adeboye closes with a prayer that you will never lose your spiritual sight. Do not play with sin. Do not let the enemy study you and find your weakness. Guard your eyes. Guard your consecration. And if you have fallen, humble yourself and return before it is too late.

Pray this:

“Lord Jesus, ‘Lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death.’ Forgive me for the times I have toyed with sin, flirted with temptation, and played Delilah’s game. I renounce every weakness the enemy has studied in me. I close every door that Samson left open. Restore my spiritual sight. Do not let me call good ‘evil’ or evil ‘good.’ Do not let me justify what You have condemned. Give me the grace to overcome the sins that have repeatedly tripped me. I humble myself before You. I ask for Your help. I do not want to be a blind giant—powerful but imprisoned. Lighten my eyes. Keep me seeing. Keep me free. In Jesus’ mighty name.”

Action Steps:

1. The Weakness Audit: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal your “Philistine weakness”—the area where the enemy most successfully tempts you. Write it down. Then write down three practical steps to guard that area starting today.
2. The “Delilah” Eviction: Identify any person, place, habit, or media that consistently leads you into sin (your “Delilah”). Commit to removing it from your life this week, no matter how difficult.
3. The Sight Check: Examine your moral compass. Have you begun to justify any sin you once condemned? If yes, repent immediately. Ask God to restore your sensitivity to right and wrong.

“Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death.”(Psalm 13:3)
Sin blinds. Sin imprisons. Sin reduces warriors to helplessness. Do not let the enemy study you and find your weakness. Guard your eyes. Guard your consecration. And if you have fallen, humble yourself now—before your hair grows back but your sight never returns. Lighten my eyes, O Lord. Lighten my eyes.

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The Open Heaven 30 June 2026 devotional for today is DON’T STOP LEARNING.

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

• Read: RCCG Open Heaven 29 June 2026 Devotional

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OPEN HEAVEN 30 JUNE 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL

TOPIC: DON’T STOP LEARNING

MEMORISE:

For he satistieth the longing soul, and tilleth the hungry soul with goodness.
Psalm 107:9

READ: Acts 18:24-28

²⁴ And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
²⁵ This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

²⁶ And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
²⁷ And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:
²⁸ For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

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RCCG OPEN HEAVEN 30 JUNE 2026 TODAY MESSAGE

Today’s Bible reading tells us the story of Apollos, a knowledgeable fellow who lived in Ephesus. He was described as an eloquent man who was mighty in the Scriptures. If he had lived in the present age, he might have been called a bishop, apostle, or reverend. Apollos was well-grounded in the Scriptures and was bold enough to teach people in the synagogue.

However, when Aquila and Priscila got to Ephesus, they noticed some gaps in the things he knew, and they took him aside to teach him the word of God more perfectly. Apollos was not proud, nor did he disregard the things they were teaching him. Instead, he listened to them and added what they taught him to the things he already knew.

Consequently, the man who started as one who was mighty in the Scriptures ended as someone who was able to mightily convince the Jews that Jesus is the Christ through the Scriptures.

Apollos was teachable and humble enough to learn from others. Beloved, are you teachable? Are you humble enough to learn from people who might not be as popular, prayerful, or educated as you are?

One of the greatest tragedies a person can experience is to stop learning. Proverbs 1:5 says,” A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:” Your thirst for knowledge determines your level of growth. You must never get to a point where you think you are too knowledgeable to learn more.

When the widow in 2 Kings 4:1-8 began to pour the remaining oil from her pot into the vessels she had borrowed, it continued to flow until there were no more empty vessels. I believe that the oil would have continued to flow if she had more empty vessels to pour it into. This is a clear example of what will happen to anyone who thinks he or she is full of knowledge; such a person will stop growing.

Beloved, there is always something more to learn. No matter how knowledgeable you think you are in the things of God, there will always be more of Him to unravel. 2 Peter 3:18 says, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ…”

Don’t allow what you know to stop you from learning what you need to know. I pray that the Lord will keep revealing more of Himself to you, even as you keep seeking to know more and more of Him.

REFLECTION:

Are you humble and teachable?

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Proverbs 1-3

Open Heaven Hymns: I’m Pressing on the Upward

OPEN HEAVEN DEVOTIONAL 30 JUNE 2026 COMMENTARY

MEMORISE: Psalm 107:9

“For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.”

This verse reveals the heart of God toward those who hunger and thirst. Daddy Adeboye anchors today’s devotional on this text because it connects directly to the theme of teachability and continuous learning. The “longing soul” and the “hungry soul” are those who recognize they have not yet arrived—they are empty, yearning, and desperate for more. God’s response is not to ignore their hunger but to satisfy and fill them with goodness. The tragedy of pride is that it kills hunger. When you think you are full, you stop seeking. But when you remain hungry—teachable, humble, aware of your gaps—God promises to satisfy that longing soul and fill that hungry heart with His goodness, His truth, and His revelation.

BIBLE READING: Acts 18:24-28

This passage introduces Apollos, a Jew from Alexandria. He is described as “an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures.” He was instructed in the way of the Lord, fervent in spirit, and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and “expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.” As a result, Apollos became even more effective, helping those who had believed through grace and mightily convincing the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. Daddy Adeboye uses this to show that even a man “mighty in the Scriptures” had room to grow. And his willingness to be taught by a lay couple (tentmakers) was the key to his increased effectiveness.

Apollos: The Mighty Man Who Remained Teachable

1. His Impressive Credentials

“Today’s Bible reading tells us the story of Apollos, a knowledgeable fellow who lived in Ephesus. He was described as an eloquent man who was mighty in the Scriptures. If he had lived in the present age, he might have been called a bishop, apostle, or reverend. Apollos was well-grounded in the Scriptures and was bold enough to teach people in the synagogue.”

Consider Apollos’s qualifications:

Quality	Description
Eloquent	Skilled speaker, persuasive, articulate
Mighty in the Scriptures	Deep knowledge of the Old Testament
Instructed in the way of the Lord	Had theological training
Fervent in spirit	Passionate, zealous, committed
Bold teacher	Courageous in public ministry

By any measure, Apollos was an impressive minister. He had the gifts, the knowledge, the passion, and the boldness. Many would have looked at him and said, “This man has arrived. He needs no further training.”

2. The Gap Only Others Could See

“However, when Aquila and Priscila got to Ephesus, they noticed some gaps in the things he knew, and they took him aside to teach him the word of God more perfectly.”

Notice the details:

Who Taught Him	What They Taught Him	How They Did It
Aquila and Priscilla (a married couple, tentmakers by trade)	“The way of God more perfectly”	They took him aside (privately, not publicly to shame him)

Apollos was already teaching in the synagogue. He was already “mighty in the Scriptures.” But he had a gap: he knew only the baptism of John. He did not yet have the full revelation of Jesus Christ and the gospel of grace. Aquila and Priscilla—not apostles, not famous preachers, not authors of Scripture—saw the gap and filled it.

“Apollos was not proud, nor did he disregard the things they were teaching him. Instead, he listened to them and added what they taught him to the things he already knew.”

Apollos’s Response	What It Reveals
He was not proud	He did not think he knew everything
He did not disregard their teaching	He valued input even from “lesser” sources
He listened	He was attentive, not defensive
He added to what he knew	He integrated new knowledge with old

“Consequently, the man who started as one who was mighty in the Scriptures ended as someone who was able to mightily convince the Jews that Jesus is the Christ through the Scriptures.”

Before Aquila and Priscilla	After Aquila and Priscilla
Mighty in the Scriptures	Mightily convinced the Jews
Knew only John’s baptism	Knew the full gospel of Christ
Effective in his teaching	Even more effective
A good teacher	A great apologist

The difference was not more gifting. The difference was teachability.

The Tragedy of Stopping Learning

“One of the greatest tragedies a person can experience is to stop learning.”

What Happens When You Stop Learning	The Result
You become stagnant	No growth, no fresh revelation
You become proud	You think you have arrived
You become irrelevant	The world moves forward; you stay stuck
You become useless to God	God uses the humble, not the full-of-themselves

“Proverbs 1:5 says, ‘A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.’”

The Wise Man	The Fool
Hears and increases learning	Thinks he already knows enough
Seeks wise counsel	Rejects counsel because he is “above it”
Grows continually	Stagnates and declines

“Your thirst for knowledge determines your level of growth. You must never get to a point where you think you are too knowledgeable to learn more.”

Level of Thirst	Level of Growth
High thirst, constant seeking	Continual growth, increasing effectiveness
Low thirst, satisfied with current knowledge	Stagnation, eventual decline
No thirst, proud of what you know	Spiritual atrophy, uselessness to the kingdom

The Widow’s Oil: Empty Vessels Receive the Flow

“When the widow in 2 Kings 4:1-8 began to pour the remaining oil from her pot into the vessels she had borrowed, it continued to flow until there were no more empty vessels. I believe that the oil would have continued to flow if she had more empty vessels to pour it into.”

This is a powerful illustration:

The Widow’s Oil	Your Capacity to Receive
The oil flowed as long as there were empty vessels	God pours new revelation into empty, humble hearts
When vessels were full, the flow stopped	When you think you are full, God stops pouring
More empty vessels = more oil	More humility = more learning

“This is a clear example of what will happen to anyone who thinks he or she is full of knowledge; such a person will stop growing.”

If You Think You Are Full	The Result
You stop seeking	You stop receiving
You become prideful	God resists the proud (James 4:6)
You have no capacity for more	The oil stops flowing

If You Remain Empty and Hungry	The Result
You keep seeking	You keep receiving
You remain humble	God gives grace to the humble
You always have capacity for more	The oil keeps flowing

How to Remain Teachable (Practical Steps)

Based on Daddy Adeboye’s teaching and the example of Apollos, here is how to cultivate a teachable spirit:

1. Recognize That You Have Gaps

Apollos was mighty in the Scriptures—but he still had gaps. No matter your level of education, anointing, or experience, you do not know everything. There are things you do not see, do not understand, and do not yet have. Acknowledging this is not weakness—it is wisdom.

2. Be Willing to Learn from Anyone

Apollos learned from Aquila and Priscilla—tentmakers, not celebrities. Do not despise the source of your lesson. God can send wisdom through:

• A younger believer
• Someone less educated
• Someone not in “ministry”
• A person you have previously taught
• A person you consider beneath you

“Are you humble enough to learn from people who might not be as popular, prayerful, or educated as you are?”

Prideful Response	Teachable Response
“Who are they to teach me?”	“What can I learn from them?”
“I already know that”	“Show me what I might have missed”
“I have more experience”	“Experience is not the same as omniscience”

3. Create Space for Correction

Apollos allowed Aquila and Priscilla to take him aside. He did not demand a public platform debate. He did not defend his ego. He listened privately, humbly, and openly. Ask yourself:

• Do I have people who can tell me the truth?
• Do I react defensively when corrected?
• Do I seek out input, or do I avoid it?

4. Keep Adding to What You Know

“He listened to them and added what they taught him to the things he already knew.”

Apollos did not discard what he knew. He added to it. New revelation does not cancel old truth; it builds on it. Be eager to expand, not to replace.

5. Never Stop Seeking (2 Peter 3:18)

“2 Peter 3:18 says, ‘But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ…’”

Grow in Grace	Grow in Knowledge
Develop character, humility, love	Deepen your understanding of God and His word
Become more like Christ	Learn more about Christ
Progress in sanctification	Progress in revelation

Growth is not optional. It is commanded. And it requires continuous learning.

Warning: What You Know Can Become a Prison

Daddy Adeboye’s devotional carries a sobering warning: the very knowledge that made Apollos “mighty” could have become his prison if he had refused to learn more.

If Apollos Had Refused to Learn	The Loss
He would have remained incomplete	He would have never known the full gospel
He would have taught error without knowing it	He could have led others astray
He would have become proud of his partial knowledge	His ministry would have plateaued
He would have missed his full potential	He would have been “mighty” but not “mightily convincing”

“Don’t allow what you know to stop you from learning what you need to know.”

What You Know (Past)	What You Need to Know (Future)
Has served you well	Could serve you even better
Is valuable	Should not be an idol
Is partial	There is more to add

Conclusion: Your Prayer for Continuous Revelation

Daddy Adeboye closes with a prayer that the Lord will keep revealing more of Himself to you as you keep seeking. Do not settle. Do not plateau. Do not become so full of what you know that you have no room for what you need to know.

Pray this:

“Lord Jesus, I thank You for what I know of You. But I confess that there is so much more I do not know. Forgive me for the times I have acted as if I have arrived—when I have resisted correction, refused input, and closed myself to learning from others. Give me the spirit of Apollos—mighty in the Scriptures, but humble enough to be taught by tentmakers. Help me to see that every person, every situation, every sermon, every conversation could teach me something I need to know. Keep me empty enough to receive. Keep me hungry enough to seek. Keep me teachable until the very end. I do not want the oil to stop flowing because I have no empty vessels left. Break my pride. Expand my capacity. Reveal more of Yourself to me, even as I keep seeking more of You. In Jesus’ mighty name.”

Action Steps:

1. The Teachability Test: Think back over the last month. When was the last time you changed your mind about something significant because someone taught you? If you cannot remember, you may be struggling with pride.
2. The “Aquila and Priscilla” Search: Identify one person in your life who could see gaps in your knowledge that you cannot see. Ask them honestly: What am I missing? Where do I need to grow? Then listen without defensiveness.
3. The Empty Vessel Prayer: Each morning this week, pray: “Lord, I come to You as an empty vessel. I have not arrived. I do not know it all. Fill me today with what I need to learn.”

“For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep…” (Acts 13:36)
David served his generation—not all generations. Apollos was mighty—but still teachable. You have not arrived. There is always more to learn. Do not let what you know stop you from learning what you need to know. Stay empty. Stay hungry. Stay teachable. The oil will keep flowing as long as there are empty vessels.

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Download Open Heaven 30 June 2026 Devotional PDF

The Open Heaven 29 June 2026 devotional for today is FOCUS ON THE UNSEEN.

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

• Read: RCCG Open Heaven 28 June 2026 Devotional

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OPEN HEAVEN 29 JUNE 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL

TOPIC: FOCUS ON THE UNSEEN

MEMORISE:

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18

READ: Hebrews 11:1-3

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
² For by it the elders obtained a good report.
³ Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

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RCCG OPEN HEAVEN 29 JUNE 2026 TODAY MESSAGE

Today’s Bible reading makes us understand that everything on earth was framed by God’s word.

This means that the things which you can see were made from things that are unseen. This is why God wants His children to focus more on spiritual things than physical things.

In today’s memory verse, Paul encourages us to fix our eyes on things which are not seen. Therefore, if you are going through a challenge, for example, instead of focusing only on what you can see physically, ask God to show you what is behind the challenge you are facing. Go to Him in prayers, and, like Rebekah did, ask Him, “If it be so, why am I thus?” (Genesis 25:22).

Whenever there is a challenge, many people waste their time focusing only on what they can see physically. However, if they go to God in prayers and ask that their eyes be opened to see the unseen, He will answer them and also guide them towards the right solution.

In Luke 15:11-32, Jesus told the parable of the prodigal son who wasted his inheritance by living irresponsibly in a faraway country. Before long, he began to be in want and struggled to make ends meet. Things got so bad that he thought of eating food that was meant for pigs because he had nothing to eat. When he came to the end of himself, however, he decided to return to his father, and all his problems disappeared instantly. He would have continued struggling and running in circles if he had not changed his focus by returning to his father.

Beloved, if you keep facing the same challenge or struggling with an issue, you might need a change of focus. You need to fix your gaze on your heavenly Father by calling on Him in prayer. It doesn’t take God ages to answer prayers, but when your focus is in the wrong direction, you will not be able to see the provisions He has made for you to overcome whatever challenge you are facing.

All God wants you to do is to fix your gaze on Him so He can show you the path to your victory and release His blessings upon you. I pray that the Almighty God will help you to keep your gaze fixed on Him at all times, so you will be empowered to walk in total victory perpetually.

PRAYER POINT

Father, please help me to always fix my gaze on You so that I can walk in perpetual victory.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Psalms 141-150

Open Heavens HYMN 19: ROCK OF AGES CLEFT FOR ME

OPEN HEAVEN DEVOTIONAL 29 JUNE 2026 COMMENTARY

MEMORISE: 2 Corinthians 4:18

“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

This verse is the apostle Paul’s prescription for perspective in the midst of affliction. Daddy Adeboye anchors today’s devotional on this text because it draws a sharp contrast between two realms: the seen (physical, temporary, subject to decay) and the unseen (spiritual, eternal, unchanging). The word “look” implies a deliberate, sustained gaze—not a casual glance. You must train your eyes to look away from the visible problem and toward the invisible reality. Why? Because what you focus on determines what rules your heart. Focus on the seen, and you will be overwhelmed by temporal troubles. Focus on the unseen, and you will be stabilized by eternal truths.

BIBLE READING: Hebrews 11:1-3

This passage reveals the foundational principle of the unseen realm. Daddy Adeboye draws from it the truth that everything visible—the earth, the stars, your body, your circumstances—originated from the invisible. God spoke, and what was unseen became seen. This means that the physical world is not ultimate reality; it is a manifestation of a deeper, spiritual reality. Therefore, to understand your situation, you cannot stop at what your eyes see. You must look beyond to the unseen realm where God is working, where your miracle is being framed, and where your victory is already prepared.

The Unseen Origin of All Things

1. Everything Visible Came from the Invisible

“Today’s Bible reading makes us understand that everything on earth was framed by God’s word. This means that the things which you can see were made from things that are unseen.”

Hebrews 11:3 – “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”

The Seen (Visible)	The Unseen (Invisible Source)
The universe, stars, planets	The word of God spoken from the unseen realm
Your physical body	God’s breath, His design, His purpose
Your circumstances, challenges, opportunities	Spiritual realities, divine assignments, angelic activity
Your material resources	God’s provision released from the invisible

“This is why God wants His children to focus more on spiritual things than physical things.”

If the visible came from the invisible, then the invisible is more real, more powerful, and more permanent than what you can touch, see, or measure. To focus only on the physical is to focus on the effect while ignoring the cause. To focus on the spiritual is to get to the root of all things.

2. The Temporal vs. The Eternal

“In today’s memory verse, Paul encourages us to fix our eyes on things which are not seen.”

The Seen (Temporal)	The Unseen (Eternal)
Your problems	God’s purposes
Your pain	God’s presence
Your lack	God’s provision
Your enemies	God’s angelic host
Your failures	God’s forgiveness
Your death	God’s eternal life

The seen things are “temporal” — they have an expiration date. Your sickness will not last forever. Your financial struggle will pass. Your heartbreak will heal. But the unseen things—God’s love, His covenant, His power, His promises—are “eternal.” They never fade, never fail, never end.

How to Handle Challenges: Look Beyond the Seen

1. Ask God to Show You What Is Behind the Challenge

“Therefore, if you are going through a challenge, for example, instead of focusing only on what you can see physically, ask God to show you what is behind the challenge you are facing.”

The Natural Response	The Faith Response
Focus on the problem	Ask God for revelation
Complain about the circumstances	Pray about the circumstances
Try to fix it with human wisdom	Seek divine understanding
Get stuck in the seen	Look for the unseen purpose

“Go to Him in prayers, and, like Rebekah did, ask Him, ‘If it be so, why am I thus?’ (Genesis 25:22).”

Genesis 25:22 – Rebekah was pregnant with twins (Jacob and Esau), and the children struggled within her womb. She did not just accept the discomfort; she went to inquire of the Lord. She asked, “If it be so, why am I thus?”

Rebekah’s Example	Your Application
She experienced a troubling situation	You face a challenge
She did not assume she understood	Do not assume you know the reason
She went directly to God	Go to God in prayer
She asked “why”	Ask God for revelation

“Whenever there is a challenge, many people waste their time focusing only on what they can see physically. However, if they go to God in prayers and ask that their eyes be opened to see the unseen, He will answer them and also guide them towards the right solution.”

Do not waste time staring at the problem. Spend time seeking the God who sees what you cannot see. He will open your eyes to the unseen reality behind the visible challenge.

2. The Prodigal Son: A Change of Focus Changed Everything

“In Luke 15:11-32, Jesus told the parable of the prodigal son who wasted his inheritance by living irresponsibly in a faraway country. Before long, he began to be in want and struggled to make ends meet. Things got so bad that he thought of eating food that was meant for pigs because he had nothing to eat.”

Consider the prodigal son’s journey:

Stage	His Focus	His Condition
In the far country	Pleasure, independence, self-gratification	Wasted inheritance, destitute
In the pigpen	His hunger, his shame, his failure	Desperate, alone, hopeless
The turning point	He “came to himself” and remembered his father	His focus shifted

“When he came to the end of himself, however, he decided to return to his father, and all his problems disappeared instantly.”

What Changed	Before	After
His focus	On his circumstances (hunger, pigs, failure)	On his father (home, provision, mercy)
His location	Far country (distant from the father)	Father’s house (close to the source)
His condition	Struggling, starving	Restored, feasting

“He would have continued struggling and running in circles if he had not changed his focus by returning to his father.”

This is the key. The prodigal son did not need more money, more food, or better circumstances. He needed a change of focus. He needed to stop looking at his problem and start looking toward his father. When he did, his problems did not gradually improve—they disappeared instantly.

The Danger of Wrong Focus

“Beloved, if you keep facing the same challenge or struggling with an issue, you might need a change of focus.”

Sign You Need a Change of Focus	What It Means
The same problem keeps recurring	You are stuck in a cycle of natural thinking
You pray but see no change	Your eyes are on the problem, not the Solution
You feel like you are running in circles	You are focused on the seen, not the unseen
You are exhausted but no progress	Human effort without divine revelation is futile

“You need to fix your gaze on your heavenly Father by calling on Him in prayer. It doesn’t take God ages to answer prayers, but when your focus is in the wrong direction, you will not be able to see the provisions He has made for you to overcome whatever challenge you are facing.”

Wrong Focus	Result
Eyes on the problem	You miss the provision right beside you
Eyes on the enemy	You miss the angelic host surrounding you
Eyes on your weakness	You miss the Greater One inside you
Eyes on the temporary	You miss the eternal

The provisions are already made. The solution is already prepared. The answer is already waiting. But if your focus is in the wrong direction—looking at the seen rather than the unseen—you will walk right past your miracle.

How to Fix Your Gaze on the Unseen (Practical Steps)

Based on Daddy Adeboye’s teaching, here is how to train your focus away from the temporal and toward the eternal:

1. Deliberately Redirect Your Gaze

“Looking” in 2 Corinthians 4:18 is an active, intentional choice. You must decide where to aim your attention.

Instead of Looking at…	Look at…
The size of the problem	The greatness of your God
The impossibility of the situation	The promise of His word
What you have lost	What He has prepared
The opposition against you	The angelic host for you

2. Pray the Rebekah Prayer

When you do not understand what is happening, go to God and ask: “Lord, if it be so, why am I thus?” Do not accept confusion. Do not settle for ignorance. Ask for revelation.

3. Return to the Father (Like the Prodigal)

If you have wandered far in your focus—fixated on the world, on your problems, on your own efforts—repent and return. Fix your gaze on your heavenly Father. He is not far away. He is waiting.

4. Measure Everything by Eternity, Not by Time

Before you react to any situation, ask: Will this matter in 100 years? In eternity? If not, do not let it steal your focus from what is eternal.

5. Feed Your Faith with the Unseen

• Read Scripture (the unseen word that frames reality)
• Pray (communication with the unseen God)
• Worship (entering the unseen realm of His presence)
• Fellowship with believers (the invisible bond of the Spirit)

Warning: The Seen Will Deceive You If You Let It

Daddy Adeboye’s devotional carries a clear warning: the seen world is temporary, but it shouts loudly. It demands your attention. It tries to convince you that it is the only reality.

The Seen Shouts	The Unseen Whispers
“Look at how big your problem is!”	“I am bigger than your problem.”
“You are failing!”	“My grace is sufficient for you.”
“This will never end!”	“This light affliction is but for a moment.”
“There is no hope!”	“I am your hope.”

Do not listen to the shout of the temporary. Tune your ear to the whisper of the eternal. Your circumstances are real—but they are not ultimate. Your pain is real—but it is not final. The unseen realm is more real, more powerful, and more permanent than anything your physical eyes can see.

Conclusion: Your Prayer for Fixed Focus

Daddy Adeboye closes with a prayer that God will help you keep your gaze fixed on Him at all times. Do not let the seen steal your focus. Look beyond. Look to the unseen.

Pray this:

“Lord Jesus, I confess that I have spent too much time looking at the seen—my problems, my pain, my lack, my circumstances. Forgive me for focusing on the temporal while ignoring the eternal. Today, I redirect my gaze. I fix my eyes on the unseen—on Your promises, on Your presence, on Your power, on Your eternal purposes. Like Rebekah, I ask You: ‘If it be so, why am I thus?’ Open my eyes to see what is behind my challenges. Like the prodigal son, I return my focus to my Father. I will not run in circles anymore. I will not struggle in vain. I fix my gaze on You, knowing that the things I see are temporary, but the things I do not see are eternal. Help me to walk in total victory by keeping my eyes on You, in Jesus’ mighty name.”

Action Steps:

1. The Focus Audit: Identify one area where you have been looking only at the seen (a recurring problem, a stubborn challenge). Ask: What would I see if I looked at the unseen realm in this situation? What is God doing behind the scenes?
2. The Rebekah Prayer: Set aside 15 minutes today to pray specifically about a situation you do not understand. Ask God: “Lord, if it be so, why am I thus?” Wait silently for His answer. Write down what He reveals.
3. The Eternal Perspective Practice: For the next seven days, before you react to any difficult situation, pause and ask: Will this matter in eternity? If the answer is no, refuse to let it steal your peace or your focus.

“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)
Stop staring at the problem. Stop circling the same mountain. The seen is temporary—it will pass. The unseen is eternal—it will last. Fix your gaze on your heavenly Father. Look beyond the visible to the invisible. That is where your solution is. That is where your victory is. That is where your hope is. Look. And live.

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