OPEN HEAVENS FOR 21ST JUNE 2026

TOPIC: EMULATE YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER

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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 (KJV)

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 sweetsmelling 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

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 evil word
   That ever heard Him speak.

Chorus:
I want to be like Jesus,
I want to be like Jesus;
So gentle and so lowly,
I want to be like Jesus.

2. I want to be like Jesus,
   So very full of love;
   That I may be like Him in this,
   When I reach heav’n above.

3. I want to be like Jesus,
   So strong to do God’s will;
   That I may all my days fulfill
   His purpose and His plan.

4. I want to be like Jesus,
   So patient in the race;
   That I may one day see His face
   And look upon His grace.

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 21st June 2026, Father’s Day, calls believers to emulate their Heavenly Father and godly leaders, while also becoming worthy examples for others to follow.

BRIEF COMMENTARY

Based on Open Heavens 21st June 2026 – “Emulate Your Heavenly Father”

The Pastor Who Wanted Ten Percent

In today’s devotional, Pastor Adeboye shares a sobering testimony. A pastor prayed and told God that if He gave him ten percent of what Daddy Adeboye had, he would be satisfied. God responded: if he could do what Daddy Adeboye does, then he would get what he has. When the pastor asked what Daddy Adeboye had done in the past, God told him that he 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.

God redirected the pastor’s focus from the result (the wealth) to the process (the lifestyle that produced the result). The pastor wanted the reward but was unwilling to pay the price. He wanted the result without the process, the harvest without the labour, the blessing without the sacrifice.

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. This is the law of spiritual imitation: you become like those you follow.

Elisha’s Example: Following Elijah to a Double Portion

When Elijah was taken up into heaven, Elisha received a double portion of the anointing on Elijah’s life. He took Elijah’s mantle, rolled it up, struck River Jordan, and asked God to part the river as he had parted it for Elijah. God did so. Elisha followed his father’s example.

Elisha left his oxen and farm when called. He refused to stay behind when Elijah tried to leave him. He witnessed Elijah’s miracles, watching, learning, and serving. He asked for a double portion—not out of entitlement, but because he had served and watched. He took Elijah’s mantle, struck the Jordan imitating Elijah’s exact action, and used the same faith, same words, and same God.

Elisha did not invent a new method. He watched Elijah, served Elijah, stayed with Elijah, and then did what Elijah did. The result: the same God who parted the Jordan for Elijah parted it for Elisha.

Who Are You Following?

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?

Paul was confident enough to say, “Follow me.” Not because he was perfect, but because he was following Christ. He knew that anyone who imitated him would end up at Jesus.

The memory verse from Hebrews 6:12 urges us to follow those who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises. If someone has inherited promises from God, they have something to teach you. They have walked the path of faith (believing when it was hard) and patience (waiting when it was long). Follow them. Watch them. Learn from them.

The Call to Be Followers of God

Ephesians 5:1 says that we should be followers of God as dear children. Children naturally imitate their father. A child watches the father constantly, copies the father’s words and actions, learns by doing what the father does, and becomes like the father over time. Similarly, believers watch God in Scripture, prayer, and the Spirit, copy God’s character—love, holiness, forgiveness—learn by obeying God’s commands, and become like God over time through sanctification.

As we follow God, there are also people of God around us whom we can also follow. Godly leaders are not substitutes for God—they are signposts pointing to God. They show you what it looks like to follow God in practical, daily life.

How to Truly Emulate Someone

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. Social media shows the highlight reel, not the training room. It shows the miracle, not the midnight prayer. It shows the harvest, not the 40 days of fasting.

Read their books. Books capture the teachings, principles, and testimonies that cannot be condensed into a two-minute video. Volunteer to work with them. There is no substitute for proximity. Work alongside those you want to become like. Study how they approach matters—not just what they do, but how they do it. How do they pray before a decision? How do they treat people who cannot help them? How do they respond to criticism?

Become an Example for Others

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. This is the ultimate goal of spiritual imitation: a chain of discipleship leading to Christ.

You are following God and Christlike leaders, and you are also being followed by others. Someone is watching you. Someone is mimicking your habits. Someone hopes to inherit through your example. Where are you in this chain? Are you following someone? Are you being someone worth following?

Warning: Do Not Follow the Wrong Examples

Not everyone is worthy of imitation. 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. But if someone is not truly following Christ—no matter how popular, wealthy, or influential they are—following them will lead you away from God, not toward Him.

Do not follow those who live in fornication, practice uncleanness, are covetous (idolaters), or speak filthiness, foolish talk, or jesting. Such people have no inheritance in God’s kingdom.

Action Point for Father’s Day

Today is Father’s Day. Pray that God will help all fathers to be worthy of emulation.

Conclusion

The devotional closes with a prayer that as you emulate your heavenly Father, He will make you a worthy ambassador for Him. You need examples to follow. And you need to become an example for others.

Action Steps

1. The example audit – identify three people (living or biblical) who have what you want spiritually. Write their names. Then write down specific things they did to get there (fasting, prayer, obedience, patience, giving). Commit to imitating one of those practices this month.

2. The deeper study commitment – choose one godly leader you admire. Instead of just watching clips, read one of their books or listen to three full messages this week. Take notes on their habits, not just their highlights.

3. The legacy question – ask yourself: If someone followed me exactly as I am today, where would they end up? Would they end up closer to Christ or further away? Let your answer shape your decisions this week.