OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
SUNDAY, JUNE 21ST, 2026
MEMORISE:
That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
-Hebrews 6:12
READ: Ephesians 5:1-5
1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour.
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
MESSAGE:
Years ago, a pastor prayed and told God that if He gave him ten percent of what I had, he would be satisfied. God told him that if he could do what I do, then he would get what I had. When he asked God about what I had done in the past, God told him that I started with 40 days of fasting. The man told God to leave him as he was because he was not ready to follow that example.
Child of God, to achieve certain results in life, you must follow certain examples as it is only natural to eventually become like those whose lifestyle you emulate. When Elijah was taken up into heaven, Elisha received a double portion of the anointing on Elijah’s life, took Elijah’s mantle, rolled it up, and struck River Jordan. Then, he asked God to part the river as he had parted it for Elijah, and God did so. Elisha followed his father’s example.
Paul told the believers at Corinth to follow him as he followed Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). The question is, who are you following? Who are you mimicking?
Ephesians 5:1 says that we should be followers of God as dear children. As we follow God, there are also people of God around us whom we can also follow.
Today’s memory verse urges us to follow those who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises.
There are patterns and examples you should follow as a child of God. If someone is truly following Jesus Christ, then you are safe when you follow him or her because such a person will lead you to the Lord. God has provided many great examples in His word and has also given us fathers in the faith to emulate as they follow Christ.
To truly emulate someone, you must study them closely and watch what they are doing. You cannot emulate people just from little clips you see about them on social media, because there are many things about them that you will miss. Read their books, volunteer to work with them, and study how they approach matters.
Beloved, as you emulate your heavenly Father, also become a good and worthy example to others. Follow Christ so that those emulating you will also find Him. I pray that as you emulate your heavenly Father, He will make you a worthy ambassador for Him, in Jesus’ name.
ACTION POINT:
Today is Father’s Day. Pray that God will help all fathers to be worthy of emulation.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalms 89-94
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 59: I want to be like Jesus
1. I want to be like Jesus,
So lowly and so meek;
For no one marked an angry word
That ever heard him speak.
Refrain:
I want to be like Jesus,
God’s well beloved Son;
I want to be like Jesus,
The pure and holy One.
2. I want to be like Jesus,
So frequently in prayer;
Alone upon the mountain top,
He met his Father there. [Refrain]
3. I want to be like Jesus,
Engaged in doing good,
So that of me it may be said,
He hath done what he could. [Refrain]
4. Alas! I’m not like Jesus,
As any one may see;
Thy gentle Spirit, Savior, send, And make me like to thee. [Refrain]
