OPEN HEAVENS FOR 9TH JUNE 2026
TOPIC: START FROM YOUR JERUSALEM
MEMORISE:
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. — Acts 1:8
READ: Luke 16:10-11 (KJV)
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
MESSAGE:
Many Christians profess that they are the light of the world, which is good because it is the mandate that Jesus gave His followers in Matthew 5:14. However, many of them have not even allowed the light of Christ to shine in their homes, nor have they preached the gospel of Christ to anyone around them. Do you know that if every Christian took it upon themselves to win their hometown to Christ, the whole world could have been saved by now?
When Jesus Christ stepped into my life, He not only used me to greatly extend the reach of His light in my village, Ifèwàrà, but He also used me to bring the name of my village to the world. Today, the people of Ifèwàrà are glad that Adeboye is from there because they are enjoying the benefits of the light of Christ. Believe me, the development of your hometown rests on your shoulders as a Christian because when you allow God's light to shine there, the whole world will begin to take notice of the town. No one can ignore light.
When Jesus gave His disciples the mandate to go out and be witnesses to all nations, He told them to start from Jerusalem, then move to Judea and Samaria before taking over the uttermost parts of the earth (Acts 1:8). God's plan is always that we should start from our 'Jerusalem'. Beloved, your Jerusalem is your family and immediate community. Tell your family members about Jesus. Preach to your neighbours. Let them see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Your witnessing will not be effective if you want to start from the uttermost parts of the earth. In fact, God will not give you access to the ends of the earth until you have proven yourself faithful in your Jerusalem. He said that He will only commit more into the hands of the fellow who has been faithful in little (Luke 16:10). If you despise your little corner, God will not commit bigger territories into your hands.
Beloved, ask the Lord how you can be more faithful in your Jerusalem. Ask Him to show you how to shine His light before your immediate family effectively. Allow Him to teach you how to show the love of Christ to your neighbours and colleagues at work. May God shine His light through you to your family members, colleagues, members of your community, and the world at large, in Jesus' name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Psalms 22-25
HYMN: 3 — ANCIENT WORDS
Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world,
They resound with God's own heart,
O let the ancient words impart.
Chorus:
Ancient words, ever true,
Changing me and changing you,
We have come with open hearts,
O let the ancient words impart.
Words of life, words of hope
Give us strength, help us cope,
In this world, where e'er we roam,
Ancient words will guide us home.Holy words of our faith
Handed down to this age,
Came to us through sacrifice,
O heed the faithful words of Christ.
About RCCG and Open Heavens
The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) is a global Pentecostal denomination founded in 1952 by Reverend Josiah Akindayomi and now led by Pastor E. A. Adeboye as General Overseer. Headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, RCCG has spread to over 200 countries with millions of worshippers worldwide.
Open Heavens is the daily devotional of RCCG, written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye. First published in 2003, it has become one of the most widely read daily devotionals in the world. Each edition includes a memory verse, Bible reading, message, prayer point, and hymn. The devotional is known for its practical, Bible-based teachings that address everyday Christian living, spiritual warfare, and faith.
The devotional for 9th June 2026 calls believers to begin their witness for Christ in their immediate circle—their family, neighbourhood, and community—before reaching out to the wider world .
BRIEF COMMENTARY
Based on Open Heavens 9th June 2026 – "Start From Your Jerusalem"
The Mandate to Be Light
In today's devotional, Pastor Adeboye addresses a common but critical issue among believers. Many Christians profess to be the light of the world, as Jesus commanded in Matthew 5:14. Yet many have not allowed the light of Christ to shine in their own homes, nor have they preached the gospel to anyone around them.
The devotional makes a striking observation: if every Christian took it upon themselves to win their hometown to Christ, the whole world could have been saved by now. This challenges the common tendency to dream of distant mission fields while neglecting the people closest to us.
The Jerusalem Principle
When Jesus gave His disciples the mandate to be witnesses to all nations in Acts 1:8, He gave them a specific order: start from Jerusalem, then move to Judea and Samaria, and finally to the uttermost parts of the earth. This order was not accidental. God's plan is always that we should start from our 'Jerusalem'.
What is your Jerusalem? Your Jerusalem is your family and immediate community. It is your household, your neighbours, your colleagues at work, and your local environment. Before you can effectively reach the nations, you must first impact those closest to you.
The Personal Testimony of Ifèwàrà
Pastor Adeboye shares a personal testimony to illustrate this principle. When Jesus Christ stepped into his life, He not only used him to greatly extend the reach of His light in his village, Ifèwàrà, but also used him to bring the name of that village to the world. Today, the people of Ifèwàrà are glad that Adeboye is from there because they are enjoying the benefits of the light of Christ.
The lesson is powerful: the development of your hometown rests on your shoulders as a Christian. When you allow God's light to shine there, the whole world will begin to take notice. No one can ignore light. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Faithfulness in Little Leads to Much
The Bible reading from Luke 16:10-11 establishes a crucial principle of kingdom advancement: "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much... If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?"
God will not give you access to the ends of the earth until you have proven yourself faithful in your Jerusalem. He commits more only into the hands of those who have been faithful in little. If you despise your little corner, God will not commit bigger territories into your hands.
The Danger of Skipping Jerusalem
Your witnessing will not be effective if you want to start from the uttermost parts of the earth. Many believers dream of international evangelism, crusades, and global platforms while their own family members do not know Christ. This is spiritual ambition without spiritual authority.
The principle is simple: impact your Jerusalem, and God will open the door to Judea. Impact Judea, and God will open the door to Samaria. Impact Samaria, and God will open the door to the uttermost parts of the earth.
Practical Application
The devotional ends with practical steps:
Ask the Lord how you can be more faithful in your Jerusalem. Do not assume you already know. Seek His specific direction for your family and community.
Ask Him to show you how to shine His light before your immediate family effectively. Your family may need to see the gospel demonstrated before they can hear it preached.
Allow Him to teach you how to show the love of Christ to your neighbours and colleagues at work. This includes acts of kindness, integrity in business, and words of encouragement.
Conclusion
Do not despise the day of small beginnings. Your Jerusalem is not too small for God's glory. The same light that can illuminate the nations begins in your living room, your street, and your workplace. Shine where you are, and God will expand your territory.
Prayer Point
Father, show me how to be more faithful in my Jerusalem and let Your light shine through me to my family, neighbours, and community.
Action Steps
Identify your "Jerusalem" – write down the names of family members, neighbours, and colleagues who do not yet know Christ. Begin to pray for them by name daily.
Perform one act of love this week for a neighbour or colleague without expecting anything in return.
Share your testimony with one family member this week. Tell them what Jesus has done for you.
0 Comments
Please drop a comment. God bless you!